Damien stayed in one of the motels in Georgetown. It wouldn't take him long to reach her. She adjusted her handbag over her shoulder and slipped out her phone. She scrolled to Damien’s Facebook profile and clicked on Messenger. She pressed the call button, surprised by her own boldness.

Damien's tone held a question. "Hi, Sarah. What's happening?"

The usual way to greet someone, and yet his friendly tone demanded answers—she didn’t want to explain the situation to Damien.

"I'm in a bit of a situation here. In fact, I’m just around the corner from you. I don’t have my car and need a ride home."

"A situation?"

"Yeah. You know that guy you saw me with at Kelly’s Garden? Well, we had another date, and it ended quickly. I don't think I'm going to see him again. Let’s just say we’ve gone our separate ways. I don't want to call my parents. I’d rather they didn’t know."

"Let me get this straight. You need someone to take you home and keep quiet about your disaster date?"

"Exactly."

He laughed. "I have a better solution. Why don't I order an Uber for you? I would drive you myself, but far be it from me to step into Tommy's territory.”

“Tommy's territory?”

“Yes, I know you're Tommy's girl.”

“Damien.” She growled. “I’m dating Edward.”

“Not officially Tommy's girl, but it's a given. You’ll end up together.”

“Tommy's girl?”

He laughed. “Why do you keep repeating my words?”

“It's something we use in equine therapy.”

“Oh, validation?”

The guy was enjoying this too much. But she was the master of self-control. “What I hear you’re saying—you can't drive me home because I'm supposedly taken. No one can move in on Tommy's girl.”

“You're good at this validation thing.”

She sighed. "Please call an uber. I need to get out of here."