Page 16 of Vacation Friends

“And I will not be giving this establishment my business anymore, not if this is the way you treat your customers.”

“Mr.—”

He held up his hand to stop her mid-sentence. “Please don’t say anything else. I’ve heard enough. Have a good evening.”

He took Cecilia’s arm and led her outside.

They paused under a bright-red awning. Two valets worked on the sidewalk, and a tuxedoed host greeted restaurant patrons. A red carpet stretched like a ribbon to the front door, intending to make restaurant guests feel like stars.

Unless you were the wrong guest. Then everyone working at the restaurant made you feel like trash.

“I’m sorry they treated you like that,” the man told Cecilia.

Cecilia’s heart still pounded in her ears.

It wasn’t often that people stood up for her. Usually, they liked to use her. Liked to embarrass her. To throw her away. Especially men.

“You didn’t have to do that. If you give me a few weeks, I can pay you back.” Cecilia didn’t want to be under anyone’s thumb. Didn’t want to owe anyone anything.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I only paid that retched woman so she’d stop making a scene back there. You didn’t deserve that.” He paused and observed her, his voice soft as if he didn’t want to embarrass her.

Cecilia pushed a curl behind her ear. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I don’t like when people are mistreated.”

“You’re one of the good guys, huh?”

A movie star-worthy grin spread across his face. “I try to be one of the good guys.”

They began to walk side-by-side down the bustling New York City sidewalk, naturally falling into step beside each other.

“I’m Garrick, by the way.”

“I’m Cecilia.”

She shivered at the chilly early October breeze, and Garrick took his jacket off and placed it over her shoulders.

“Can I walk you to your car? I know I’m old fashioned, but something about the city at night always makes me more cautious.”

“I took the subway,” she explained.

“The subway also makes me nervous.” He let out a chuckle.

“It’s not that bad.” If she were being honest, she’d admit she didn’t like taking the subway alone either, especially at night.

Two weeks ago, her friend had been attacked while waiting for the train to come. Her purse had been stolen, and the man might have done more if it hadn’t been for two cops that strolled up. They’d chased the man, but he’d gotten away.

Now Cecilia couldn’t get those images out of her head. Images of her friend shaking and crying. Unable to sleep at night. Afraid to go out alone again.

“Are you from this area, Cecilia?” Garrick’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as they slowly walked down the sidewalk, almost as if purposefully wanting more time to draw out the conversation.

“No, I came here two years ago.”

“What brought you to the city?”

“I know it’s going to sound cliché, but I wanted to be an actress. On Broadway.”

When that hadn’t worked out, Cecilia had worked on some other skills to try to earn money. She’d settled on working retail.

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