Project Produce(29)

“Tomorrow it is.” He wrote down the address to the gym and handed it to me.

I stood up and stuffed the piece of paper in my pocket, then a couple entered the lobby. “That’s my cue. See you tomorrow.” I turned around and slipped behind the counter without another word, but I couldn’t help glancing over my shoulder to catch him checking out my big ole insecurity. There was nothing petite about that body part, that was for sure.

Maybe the gym wasn’t a bad idea, after all.

***

“See you tomorrow, Franz. Oh, and tell Gloria I’ll call her later.” I waved to the doorman at the end of my shift.

“Will do.” He tilted his head in acknowledgment and closed the door.

As I stepped out into the hustle and bustle of the city sidewalk during rush hour, I marveled at the crowd. I’d never seen so many people, but I had to admit this new schedule worked so much better than the other one. Except I didn’t get to see Gloria as much, since she worked during a different shift and went clubbing all night as she tried to land a record deal.

Gloria was my only friend, here or back home. Oh, I’d had a few friends during high school, but they’d long since gotten married and moved away. No one had time for a third wheel, so I’d pretty much thrown myself into running the store. I’d talked to the locals every day and had convinced myself that was enough, but now that I had a real friend again, I realized what I’d been missing. And now I barely got to see Gloria.

I still had Dylan, but he wasn’t exactly a friend. None of my friends had ever kissed me like he had. Well, darn it, I didn’t need him. Didn’t need any man. I had to keep reminding myself of that, and I’d be fine. It would be a heck of a lot easier if he wasn’t so nice and so irresistible.

I smiled at a stranger who walked by, but the woman didn’t smile back. I sighed. God, I missed having someone to talk to. I nodded to another stranger and this time sparked a smile. Figured. The stranger was a man. I walked a few more blocks to the subway and took a moment to enjoy the way the sun sparkled off the fresh-fallen snow.

Soon the pearly white would turn a dingy gray from all the foot traffic. I missed my hometown’s wide-open spaces and pretty countryside. Still, I had to admit the city held a certain beauty of its own, with its talented street performers, amazing architecture, and impressive skyscrapers. And at night, the city lit up like it celebrated Christmas every day.

I stepped onto the packed subway, grabbed a pole for support, and then scanned the car. I froze when I saw the man in the back. Him! The strange man I’d seen skulking about during my shift at the hotel this afternoon. My heart raced. I had to stop letting men push me around and start standing up for myself. I focused on breathing and tried to think.

I’d become a lot more aware of my surroundings after Flasher Freak, so I’d thought it odd at the time when this guy kept wandering in and out of the hotel as though casing the joint. He wore an overcoat and a hat, but at least he had pants on. In fact, he looked a lot like Inspector Gadget.

Don’t even think about inspecting me, creep.

Grabbing my newly-charged phone, I flipped it open and then hung up, biting my bottom lip. Somehow, I didn’t think the officer manning the desk at the police department would appreciate a second phone call claiming Inspector Gadget was following me. Besides, I couldn’t take any more gum snapping.

I peeked over my shoulder. He shoved something in the inside pocket of his bulging coat and then pulled the edges closed. I swallowed. There might be a gun in there.

With no intention of letting this weirdo know where I lived, I decided to get off at the next stop. I pulled the cord, and the subway car’s brakes squealed as it came to a body-wrenching halt. I stayed still until the last possible minute and then bolted out the door seconds before it closed, hoping to lose the Inspector. With long strides, I put some distance between the subway and me.

A few minutes later, I checked behind me again and couldn’t believe it. Gadget ducked under an awning and pretended to window shop. This guy really was following me. If I couldn’t lose him, then I had to outwit him.

“Okay, pal, two can play at this game.”

I pretended not to see him but slowed my pace to avoid losing him. Rounding a corner, I headed onto a less busy street and then slipped into a deserted doorway. I pulled off my heavy mittens and slid my backpack off my shoulder, unzipped the bag, and then rummaged inside for something, anything, that could be used as a weapon.

Most women carried their lipstick, a brush, some perfume... not me. I never understood why women fussed so much over themselves. All I needed was an extra tampon, some ibuprofen, and maybe a real can of pepper spray. Now those were useful items. How on earth would a tube of lipstick help me if I got into trouble?