20
GRAYSON
How was it Tuesday again?
I had the extra shoes in the trunk of my car. I was going to drop them off at a local nonprofit that provided business clothes to young women who were victims of domestic violence and were trying to become financially stable.
Of course I didn’t just have the shoes. I had a check for them as well.
I glanced in the mirror that hung over the bar.
She had said in an interview she had given at the fifteen-year anniversary of the rescue that similar organizations had really helped her integrate back into society.
I wondered if she would soften toward me just a little if she knew.
Probably not.
It was clear she didn’t want anything to do with me.
And yet here I was.
I hunched over, dipping my chin down to bury it in the scarf I was wearing.
“Do you need another moment to look at the menu?” the bartender asked me. “Or would you prefer I put in your appetizer order for now?”
“I know my order, thanks,” I murmured. “I’ll do the black garlic bruschetta, roasted cauliflower cannelloni, the grilled asparagus, and the seared trout with the potatoes and mushroom puree.”
“Coming right up.”
“Please take your time. I’m not in a rush,” I said and crossed my arms.
I needed to stop coming here. Every Tuesday I pushed my luck that she would recognize me. Once she realized it was me, she’d probably call the cops. There would be a restraining order and press. Marius would be annoyed with me.
“What a coincidink!”
I froze as the high-pitched voice carried across the bar.
“Great minds think alike.”
Oh no.
Lexi hopped over to me, brand-new leather shoes fitted like gloves to her feet.
“Imagine seeing Grayson R—”
“Shhh!” I hissed, holding my finger up.
“Don’t shush me.” Lexi pretended to bite my finger. “I didn’t know you were going to be here today. I’m not stalking you or anything weird like that.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist, tucking her to me, hoping no one would notice the obnoxiously loud redhead.
“We have to go.”
“But I didn’t—”
“Shhh!” I hurried her past the table by the corner.
Fortunately, the kids were in the middle of loudly telling the grandparents about a movie they wanted to see.
