Page 37 of Twisted Fate

“What is it?”

“I, um, I’m on that date,” I began, and a low curse sounded over the line, “and this guy is making me uncomfortable. We’re not that far from your house and—”

“Send me the address,” he commanded, cutting me off. I heard shuffling in the background and knew he was already on the move.

“Thank you,” I said and sagged against the stall door.

“I’ll be right there. Don’t leave with him.”

“I won’t,” I promised before hanging up. I texted him the address and took another minute to gather myself before heading back out there. Settling into my seat, I forced a smile. A moment later, the waiter stopped by to check on us and offered more wine. I politely declined and asked for a glass of sweet tea. I’d left my drink unattended around this guy. There was no way I’d drink out of it now.

Shaking away those thoughts, I cut into my chicken and brought a bite to my mouth. I chewed slowly, forcing it down even though I’d lost my appetite. Every few minutes, I glanced at my phone to check the time. Vance would be here any minute.

“What do you say we get out of here?” Duke asked. Panic crawled up the back of my throat, stealing my voice. I wasn’t going anywhere with this guy. Bringing my glass of tea to my lips, I took a sip as I searched for an excuse not to leave.

“I thought maybe we could try dessert.” He eyed me inquisitively then glanced at my plate. I hadn’t eaten half of my food.

“What can I say? I have a sweet tooth,” I proclaimed with an awkward laugh.

“Okay,” he agreed with a shrug and flagged down the waiter. My leg began to shake nervously as he put in our order. I took the opportunity to glance over my shoulder toward the entrance while he was preoccupied. Nothing. Vance wasn’t here yet. It had been nearly twenty minutes since I’d called him. Where was he?

“You could come back to my place, and we could have a drink.” My date had been talking, but I didn’t pay attention until that last part. He looked at me with a mix of hope and smug confidence. Did that actually work on other women?

“Delilah,” a deep voice boomed from behind me, and I nearly wept. Turning, I found Vance standing just behind me with a sleepy Charlie cradled in one arm, her head resting on his shoulder. “We’re leaving,” he said, his jaw set in a hard line, and he gripped my upper arm. I turned briefly to find my date staring up at him flabbergasted. His gaze shifted from Vance and Charlie to me and back several times, and I realized what it looked like. He thought Vance was my husband and Charlie was my daughter, and I’d just been caught out on a date with another man. He was partially right. Kind of.

I stood, trying to muster a convincingly guilty expression and let Vance lead me away. I thought he would release me once I started to follow him, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he slid his hand down my arm and laced his fingers through mine. The connection shot a bolt of excitement through my entire body. He was holding my hand.

“You come wif us, Lilah?” Charlie asked. Her little brow knitted with confusion as she rubbed her eyes. It was her bedtime, so she had to be sleepy.

“Yes, I’m coming with you.”

Vance stopped and pulled his keys from his pocket, clicking the fob to unlock the doors. “Get in,” he instructed, refusing to look at me. Shit, he was pissed. I shouldn’t have called him. I should’ve called Shayla or Brynlee. It would’ve taken them longer, but they would’ve understood.

The drive back to Vance’s was mostly silent, but the tension was thick. It rolled off him in waves.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice low and dejected. “My mom had to work tonight, and none of my friends could get here as quickly as you. I just wanted to get out of there and away from him.”

“It’s fine,” he said, but his tone told a different story.

Charlie had fallen back to sleep by the time he pulled in the driveway. I opened the front door so he could carry her inside and followed him up the stairs. I took the opportunity to use the restroom since I hadn’t actually gone at the restaurant. When I stepped out, Vance was waiting for me, a scowl settled over his face and arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue,” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood. It didn’t work.

“Who was that guy?” he asked—no,demanded—his nostril flaring.

“Just someone I met at the club last weekend.”

“Are you kidding me?” he asked incredulously as he unfolded his arms and pushed off the wall. “What the hell were you thinking going out with some random guy you met at a club?”

What the hell? Did he justscoldme?

“Not that it’s any of your business, but he seemed like a perfectly nice guy when I met him.” He didn’t like that answer. “And I don’t appreciate being talked to like a child.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t act like one.”

Fury burned through me like a raging inferno. “I don’t have to listen to this.” I turned away from him and reached for the door handle, but never made contact.

“I’m not done with you,” he growled and spun me around. “You could’ve been hurt. Or worse.” His eyes were wide with worry, and his chest heaved with every ragged breath he took. He was scared. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.” His lids lowered, and his eyes softened as they dropped to my mouth. It fell open slightly in surprise at his confession.

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