Page 82 of Bad For A Weekend

Ziggy sets down his fork and turns to me, giving me a half-clenched smile of pity. “What did you expect?”

“I want to know if he’s okay.”

“And you’d leave it at that?”

“Of course. For now, anyway. Once this whole thing is over and I don’t have a microscope on me, maybe we could try for more.”

“Okay, so imagine this. Your stalker has been found and is behind bars. You go off to college and meet up with Owen for dates. The two of you start a relationship, and it’s time to meet the parents. You invite him to dinner at your dad’s house. Then what?”

“My dad would get over it eventually,” I say with a hell of a lot more certainty than I feel.

“Would he?”

“I don’t know.” I sag in defeat.

“Exactly. He’s doing you a favor by removing the temptation.”

“Am I that easy to forget?” I suck in my lower lip and chew on it.

“I’m sure that has nothing to do with it.” He sighs. “That man loves you more than he loves himself and is doing what he thinks is right for you.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not right for me. It’s shitty.”

Ian and another kid, Trent, walk over and sit on the other side of the table. I scowl at the interruption.

“Can we sit here?” Ian asks, and I’m about to tell them no when Ziggy speaks up.

“Sure.” His posture straightens, and he grins.

“Baylor, this is Trent,” Ian introduces.

“Hey.” I give him a small wave. “I’ve seen you around.”

Trent is tall and good-looking. I think he’s on the soccer team and that his parents are successful investment bankers, or at least that’s what I’ve heard in passing.

“Yeah, and we had a class together last year.” He smiles, showing off his perfectly white and straight teeth.

“That’s right.”

“So, Trent and I had an idea. This new mystery maze place is opening up this weekend, and Trent’s dad got four tickets. We thought maybe you two would want to come?”

“No, thanks,” I say at the same time Ziggy says, “That sounds fun.”

We glare at each other, holding an entire argument with just a look. Ziggy’s eyes plead with me. He’s been spending time with Ian and likes him a lot, so this sporadic date would mean a lot to him.

I plaster a plastic smile on my face and turn to the interlopers. “I’m only hesitant because my bodyguard would have to go with us. You know, with the whole abduction thing going on.”

“Oh, yeah. Of course,” Trent spouts. “It’s no problem. My dad helped them raise the funds to open this thing up, so I’m sure I can snag another ticket.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I say.

Ziggy gives my thigh a thankful squeeze.

Trent beams. “Perfect. So, we’ll pick you up—”

“We’ll have to pick you up. My bodyguard is also my driver, and I’m sure he’d insist.”

“Right.”

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