My mouth went dry. “How long has he been here?”
“About fifteen minutes.” Beck studied my face. “Want me to get rid of him? I can take him out back if needed.”
I shook my head, although the offer was tempting. “No. I’ll handle it.”
“I’ll cover for you. Take all the time you need.” He took my order pad and headed to enter the orders.
My feet carried me forward while my brain scrambled with what to say.
Scott looked up as I approached, relief washing over his face as he stood. “Liz, thank God. I wasn’t sure?—”
“What are you doing here?” My voice came out steadier than I felt.
“I need to talk to you.” He glanced around. “Maybe somewhere quieter?”
The last thing I wanted was to be alone with him, but making a scene was even less appealing. We’d broken up months ago, and the last time I’d seen him, I’d moved the rest of my belongings I hadn’t sold or stored in my parents’ garage into my car. Yet here he was, invading the life I was trying to rebuild.
I nodded to the door. “Five minutes. That’s all you get.”
Outside, the evening air felt cool after the heat of the packed bar. I crossed my arms tightly and kept several feet between us as we walked down the main street.
“How did you find me and why are you here?” I demanded when we were out of earshot of anyone.
“Your Instagram post of the trees and sky had a location tag.”
I hadn’t even realized that location services were turned on. I’d posted a photo a few days ago from the parking lot of the sunset through the pines, thinking it was a pretty shot. It was time to delete all my social media.
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “What do you want, Scott? I’m working.”
He took a step toward me, and I immediately stepped back, maintaining the distance between us.
“I need your help.” His voice took on the familiar pleading tone he’d used when he’d first told me about his gambling problem. “The business?—”
“The business is gone,” I cut him off. “You gambled it away, remember? Along with our savings, my retirement fund, and the money for the house we were supposed to build. Not to mention the illegal shit you pulled that I could have you arrested for.”
“I know, I know.” He held up his hands. “It’s been hell since you left. I’ve been sleeping on Jake’s couch for weeks.”
I kept my arms crossed. “That’s unfortunate.”
“I’ve been trying to scrape together enough to get back on my feet and take on clients again.” He stepped closer, and I had to force myself not to retreat. “I’ve changed, Liz. I haven’t placed a bet in thirty-seven days.”
“Congratulations,” I said flatly. The word hung in the air between us, as hollow as the promises he’d made before.
“I’m getting help. There’s a group that meets every Tuesday.”
The streetlight cast half his face in shadow, and I wondered which version of Scott was the real one. Was it the man desperately trying to convince me he’d changed, or the one who’d emptied our accounts while I slept?
I pressed my fingernails into my palms, using the sharp sting to ground myself against the anger that swelled inside me. I checked my nonexistent watch to make a point. “I have three minutes left.”
“I’ve got a plan to fix things. I need a little money to?—”
“No.” The word came out like a gunshot. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Lizzy, please, hear me out. This client has been itching to work with us, and it’s a sure thing, but?—”
“Stop.” My voice trembled with anger. “Don’t call me that. And there’s no such thing as a sure thing with you.”
He swallowed. “I was hoping... I thought maybe you had some money set aside now.”
