Page 34 of Sugar Coated Secrets

I give Danny a questioning look.

“Roxie,” he warns in a hard tone.

She ignores him. “We were supposed to go out two weeks ago, but he didn’t show up and wouldn’t take my calls.” My eyes drop to the menu, the beat of my heart hammering like a drum.

I guess he can see the look in my eyes because his eyes soften a bit. I’m not sure if it’s pity like I’ve seen so many times.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I mutter, grabbing my purse and standing, looking for the women’s restroom.

“Dulce,” Danny calls out. “Please…let me explain.”

There is nothing he can say. Deep down, I knew this was a mistake. He kept asking me out every month for the first two years since prom night when he found me and every week for the last two.

I finally spot the bathroom sign. I push the door, quickly find the last stall, and lock myself inside.

When the bathroom door opens, I hear footsteps, but then there’s only silence. I wait a few seconds, but there is no sound of another stall, the sink being used, or anyone leaving.

I try to see through the small space between the stalls for someone, but it’s empty. I swallow nervously and slide the latch.

I walk out, and my breath catches in my throat. The room shrinks around me. My heart pounds, and everything fades as I stare at Ford Keller.

“What are you doing here?” I ask tensely.

His gaze travels slowly, like he’s seeing me for the first time. “It looks like you need a ride home?”

“How did you know I was here?” My thoughts are scattered like a pinball machine. He gives me a devilish smile that makes my stomach flip.

“I was at the bar, and this beautiful woman walked into the restaurant,” he teases. “Everyone turned around and couldn’t help noticing that she was with the wrong guy. So they sent me.”

He’s joking, trying to make me feel better.

“People at the bar sent Ford Keller after the poor humiliated girl on a date?” I reply playfully.

“Is that why you turned me down?” he asks, crossing his arms with a playful smile.

I look away, not meeting his gaze.

He steps forward. “Why don’t we fix that?” he offers.

“I would like to go home,” I say truthfully.

“I can do that.”

“I don’t trust you,” I admit. “I don’t trust anyone right now.”

“Hmm…Tell you what. Call your grandmother and tell her you’ll be home. Send your location to her or whomever is with her right now so they know where you are.”

I don’t have a ride home, and it’s at least five miles away. Walking is not an option. Uber doesn’t work in this small town, and the cab drivers are out for the night.

I pull my iPhone from my small crossbody and send Mary my location from the Maps app. After two seconds, a text comes through with a thumbs-up. That was one thing Danny had taught me since that night.

“Okay.”

He smiles, and his blue eyes flicker with a promise. “Alright, let’s go.”

He turns around, and the bathroom door swings open. Three women stumble inside, smelling like cigarettes and beer. Their eyes widen in recognition when they see Ford, and then their gazes slide to me.

“Oh my God.”

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