Page 36 of Midnight Mate
Alone, I tried to tell myself red roses and bad poetry didn’t mean Travis was a complete psycho. Unfortunately, that combined with the violent outburst meant he was unpredictable. Unease worked its way into anxiety.
I needed to do something about him.
Except, I had no idea what. So far, ignoring him wasn’t working. And neither was a direct order to stay the hell away from me.
For now, I had work to do. Maybe a few hours of mind-numbing paperwork would ease my mood.
Just after three, my direct line rang. I snatched it up. “Cat Bequette.”
“Whoa, killer,” Rudy teased. “Save the venom for the snakes.”
I sighed. “Sorry. A serious case of the Mondays over here.”
“What you call Monday I call sexually frustrated. Tomato, potato.”
I scowled. “Can I help you with something?”
“Your man stopped by.”
I dropped my pen. “Who?”
“Easton the Beast—Uh, I mean Mr. Raines, obviously.”
I sagged in relief. For a moment, I’d thought he meant Travis.
“What did he say?”
And why stop by my apartment when he knew I was here?
“We chatted about the new theater program.” He paused and then added, “He asked what time you get off. Said he was pretty sure you were going to play a big ‘ol game of avoidance for some silly reason, but he wanted to ask for one more date.”
My jaw dropped. “I can’t believe he went around me and came to you. Like he’s asking for your blessing. What is this, the eighteenth century?”
“Well, he’s not an idiot,” Rudy said, defending East so completely that I rolled my eyes. “And if he wants my blessing, he’s got it. Have you seen those gluteus maximus muscles?”
“Rudy. Is there a point to this call?”
“Yes. I told him you’d meet him after work tonight.”
“You what? Why would you do that?”
“Because he needs someone, Cat.” Rudy’s voice softened. “And so do you.”
“I get to decide who and what I need.”
“Look, I’m locking the front door, including the keyless deadbolt. And I’m not opening it again until after ten.”
My jaw fell open. “This is coercion.”
“Damn right it is. And an ultimatum: if you don’t go out with him, I’ll make sure the water heater runs cold as ice for the next six months.”
“You’re evil.”
“You’re lonely.”
I bit my lip. Rudy was right. I was lonely. And way too hung upon East to refuse. And after those roses and that note, the least I could do was warn East that Travis probably had it out for him now.
“Fine. Where do I meet him?”
