Page 54 of Always Mine

Yes and no. I just escaped to the restrooms to plot my exit strategy.

Evie:

What does that mean? Are you safe???

Me:

Yes, I’m safe.

Me:

But the group failed to arrive for the “group drinks” Arty organized. So it became drinks for two. *angry face emoji*

Evie:

How convenient…

Evie:

Leave now, then come here for homemade Mexican bowls and a debrief. Stella is grabbing wine.

Me:

I’ll text you when I’m on my way.

I tuck my phone in my purse, use the bathroom, and reapply my lipstick. I square my shoulders and take a deep breath, mustering all the confidence I need to put an end to this drink date quickly and drama-free. I open the door and step out into the hall and straight into a hard chest.

“Oh, sorry!” The startled apology flies out of my mouth before my eyes have a chance to see the face attached the body that’s still blocking my path.

“Arty? What are you doing?”

“Just checking you’re okay. You were taking a while.”

I snort nervously. “I’m fine. There was no need to follow me.”

“What can I say. I am the protective type.”

Walking into me so I have no choice but to lean back on the door behind, he lifts one arm over my head and uses the other to swipe something near my lip with his thumb.

“You just had a bit of lipstick there. Red is my favorite. It looks ravishing on you.” A salacious smirk spreads across his face, and I can almost hear his dirty thoughts. It snaps me into action.

I swipe over the spot he just touched and look at my finger for evidence of the lipstick.

None. I need to defuse this situation.

“I think we’ve made great inroads on the planning for the Law Gala, so I’m going to head out now, Arty. If you’ll excuse me.” I gently push at his torso to get him to move out of the way, but he doesn’t budge. Instead, he lowers his face even closer.

“Surely I heard wrong. What do you mean you’re going to head out? It’s so early. I ordered us one more round to help us loosen up, get the creative juices flowing so we can plan the best Law Gala they’ve ever seen.”

“I think we can agree the next step is to engage Evie to make sure she can execute the vision,” I try to rationalize, keeping my tone light and airy.

“Besides, one drink is plenty enough for me on an empty stomach. I’m a bit of a lightweight.” I make to duck under his arm and stumble. He uses that as an excuse to grab me by the waist and pull me closer to him.

“Whoa there.” He smiles down at me, enjoying every second of making me squirm. He’s no fool. He’s sure to keep his words ambiguous enough that, on the surface, his behavior is perceived to be above board. But the overtures are predatory.

“Oh, I remember,” he drawls suggestively, making my skin crawl with the way he’s openly looking my body up and down. “In fact, if memory serves me correctly, you still owe me a dance. What do you say, one more drink and a dance?” He grips me a little tighter, but his face remains perfectly serene. The exact opposite to the anger churning inside me.

“Arty, I think we should call it a night. I’m tired and ready to go home now.”