“All right,” the man said as he sat down, “let’s start with an easier question. What’s your name?”
I followed my gut, for once. “Debra.”
He smiled. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Whatcha reading?”
I held up the book so he could see the cover before I turned my attention back to reading. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he’d get fed up and go away. I dragged my glass of wine behind the book and sipped it, all the while wondering where in the hell that waitress had gotten off to with my dessert.
I needed an exit strategy, and quickly.
“There we are,” the man grunted as I felt my book being pushed down and out of my view. “Don’t wanna cover up those eyes of yours. They’re your best feature.”
“Look,” I said with a sigh, “I’m sure you’re very kind. But, all I want right now is to enjoy a nice afternoon out.”
He leaned back. “Then, it’s a good thing that’s all I’m trying to do as well.”
Jesus Christ, why the fuck did men always have to ruin shit?
Just answer his questions until the waitress comes, and then he’ll leave.
“The book I’m reading,” I said before I cleared my throat, “is about a young woman meant to be Queen, but she has to battle a great evil in order to secure her seat on the throne.”
The man nodded. “Sounds interesting. Is it a series?”
“The whole book is the trilogy.”
“So, it is.”
I shrugged. “Depends on how you want to define the word ‘series.’”
He chuckled. “I like you. You’re quick-witted.”
Well, I don’t like you.“Thanks.”
“So, what does a girl like you enjoy doing around here? Taking a dip in the ocean, or something?”
“No,” I said plainly.
“Seeing a movie, then?”
I sighed as I peered over my book. “Look, I’m sure you’re really nice, but I just want to enjoy my wine and read my book.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t hold a conversation.”
“Yes, it does. I have to focus on my reading, or I’ll lose my place.”
The man’s smile grew almost comically large. “Then, we can keep each other company.”
I didn’t know if he couldn’t take the hint or didn’t want to take the hint. But, either way, I started looking for that waitress. It felt like she had been gone an entire fucking hour. Where the hell was she with that dessert?
I needed help, and I had no one to ask.
Which sent a shivering chill up my spine.
“All right,” the waitress said as she finally came out of the kitchen, “one large slice of piping up chocolate cake with all three of our drizzles. I love dunkin’ them. It’s so good, especially with the raspberry stuff we’ve got here.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank you so much. Can I also get my check?”
She eyed me carefully. “Is… everything all right?”
