Page 106 of Wilde Abandon

Fox stood, took her in his arms, and kissed her softly, sweetly.They had an audience.“Have fun.”

“I have your number if I get lost.”

“That’s what the map app is for.”

She rolled her eyes.“Just because it shows my location on the map doesn’t mean I know where I am.”

Worry lines creased his forehead.“I can have Dean go with you.”

She headed for the door.“That’s not necessary.I don’t need or want a babysitter.I’ll be fine.And if not, I’ll order a stranger to drive me back here.”

“You’re not inspiring a ton of confidence,” he called after her.

She turned at the door and looked back at him.“If you can figure out that code, I can find my way back to you.”

“You better,” he called after her as she headed to his assistant’s desk.

“Dara, can you please order some food for Fox.I’ll be back later.”

Dara nodded.“Absolutely.”

It took a few minutes to catch the elevator down and walk out of the huge lobby, but by the time she hit the street, she had scoped out a few places she wanted to check out on the map on her phone.

She headed left and thought she’d start at the closest place to Fox’s building.It would be nice to be able to dash over to see him during the day, or for him to come by and see her at night.That’s if she decided to work in a bar or restaurant.It seemed the logical choice to get started here, so that she could find her bearings while she did something familiar.

Plus, it would be a great way to meet people.

The first place she found was a total dive.She kind of liked it.She hadn’t picked any place that had high ratings.She wanted that diamond in the rough that she could help elevate.But the first place had watered-down liquor, no vibe, and customers who looked like they were barely holding on to their last five bucks.

The second place she checked out had a decent menu but a cranky bartender and no TVs for customers to watch a game or the news.There was only one waitress, who did double duty with serving drinks and food.She did an adequate job at both, but customer service and engaging with the customers was not on anyone’s agenda.The place felt like it had no soul.

The third bar was a gem in the making.A husband and wife ran the place with smiles and small talk for customers as well as questions for the regulars they knew.She sat at the bar, ordered a club soda with lime, and watched everyone and everything going on around her.

When she moved here, she’d come back to this place.It felt familiar, even though it was much smaller than the Dark Horse Dive Bar.But they did a good business and the people seemed happy and at ease.

After ten minutes, she dropped some cash on the bar to cover the drink and tip and headed for the door.She liked the place, but it was too small, had no room for entertainment, and was just the kind of place you came with a friend to have a drink and talk.

Melody was used to a rowdier crowd, more going on.

Though, on second thought, she wouldn’t mind a more upscale place where you had the bar vibe, plus a place where you could hang with friends, do business, or meet someone new.

She wanted that place where everyone felt like they belonged.She could see it so clearly in her mind.She just needed to find it here.

Two more bars.Both were nice, doing a brisk business even in that in-between time of lunch and happy hour.

As she left the next bar, she noticed someone who seemed familiar now, though he’d taken off his coat and wore sunglasses in the bright sunshine.He was about twenty paces away when he saw her looking at him.He immediately turned his back to her.

She went up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.“Hi.Why are you following me?”

He turned and tried to look surprised.“Um…I’m not.”

“I’ve spotted you off and on over the last three hours.You can’t possibly say that’s a coincidence given the number of bars I’ve been in and out of and the unpredictable route I’ve taken.”She’d bypassed a couple of places, only to turn around and go back.

“I…” He stared at her with a busted look on his face.

“You work for Fox.”

He didn’t say anything again.

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