"Yeah, I work from lunchtime until after eight tonight."
"Good, I'll have someone outside to make sure you get in okay."
Okay then.
"So, coffee?"
He shakes his head. "I have to get going. I'll call in someone to wait at the door until you're ready for work. You going to be okay on your own?"
He's being weird.
I hate that.
Did my laughing make him feel uncomfortable? Or is he regretting staying the night? Maybe it made him feel strange. After all, he lost his wife not all that long ago. Maybe it's bringing back some painful memories. Deciding not to make a big deal of it because, after all, he's just taking care of me because it's his job, I smile and nod. "Okay, no problem."
He doesn't look at me as he pulls out his phone and makes a call, barking an order at the poor sod on the other side, telling whomever it is to come up and take watch at my door. Then he hangs up the phone, grabs his things, and leans a hip against the counter to wait.
///
"Call me when you're finished work," he murmurs, looking anywhere but at me. "So I know you're safe, I'll check in with the officers I have on duty."
Right.
"Okay," I say softly.
A knock sounds at the door a couple of minutes later, and without a good bye, Ace goes over to it, says something to the man on the other side, and then yells out "Lock the door" before leaving.
Well.
That was awkward.
And kind of painful.
What did I do wrong?
TWENTY
I stretch and yawn, glad my shift is over. It's past nine, and I worked a little longer than I anticipated. It was busier than usual, so when my boss asked if I could stay back a few hours, I happily agreed. It's more cash for me, and the tips were super tonight, so I earned a little more than I usually would for the week. I walk out front of the restaurant and stand under the streetlight, pulling out my phone. I'm right near the door, so I figure I'm safe enough here.
The police officer watching me left about five minutes ago, as Ace is on his way. He told me to stay inside the restaurant until Ace arrived. I agreed, even though here I am standing out front, but I can hear my boss's voice behind me. She's standing at the door chatting to a lingering customer. I highly doubt anyone will jump out and grab me right now. I shoot Taylor a message while I wait for Ace.
H: Hey chicky. I miss you. How are you?
She responds right away.
T: Good, busy. I have all these assessments going right now. Boo! I wanted to come over tonight, but I have taken tomorrow night off so I can come and stay with you. How are you?
H: I'm doing okay. Getting there.
T: I'm glad. Listen, I'm in class atm. I'll call you tonight?
H: Perfect! Xo
I tuck my phone away and wait. Five minutes turns into ten, and Ace still isn't here. I glance down at the time-yep, he should be here by now. The station isn't that far away from where I work, and he told the other officer he was nearly here. I pull out my phone again and call him. It goes to voicemail. I try again. Nothing.
Sighing, I tuck it back away and wait another fifteen minutes. Something has obviously held him up, and I really want to get home. I glance over to the street where my car is parked. It's just across the road. I'll lock the doors when I get in and wait for him at home, but I really need to pee, and shower, and I'm tired. I contemplate it for a minute, glancing around. There doesn't seem to be anyone nearby. I try calling Ace once more, and when he doesn't answer, I turn and call out to my boss, "I'm going to leave. If someone comes asking for me, tell him I've gone home! I'll see you tomorrow."
She waves. "No problem, hon. Good night."
"Night!"
I walk out the front doors and glance over at the parking lot that holds my car. I've been parking closer since the last incident. My phone beeps with a text just as I'm about to reach for my keys. I pull it out and glance at it, walking and reading the text from Taylor. I respond as I walk.
By the time I get to the car, I haven't yet pulled out my keys. I usually have them in my hand before I even walk out the doors. I immediately dig around for them. A noise distracts me, causing me to jerk my head up. I glance around, but I can't see anyone. Something uneasy washes over me, and my movements become frantic, as I dig around in my purse for my keys.
Why is there so much shit in here?
Another noise has my head whipping around. It sounds like someone is close by. I quickly scan the other cars, but can't see anything or anyone around. My heart kicks into overdrive. This was a bad idea. Dammit, where the hell are my keys? I shove my hand so hard into my purse it drops to the ground, scattering items everywhere.