I didn’t ask for his name or social security number. I’m supposed to meet him here for a date.” I dramatically stormed away from the bar.
What was with the place and its damn secrets?
I wandered around the floor, casually poking my head into one party room after another. Just as I was about to give up and text him to set up a rendezvous point, I spotted him near the same bar I’d just left. He was facing away, which was perfect.
I could watch him.
Naturally, he was wearing his mask. He watched the people filing by, occasionally nodding at someone or raising his glass in a toast.
But a tap on my shoulder distracted me.
“B, my dear friend,” M said in her warm, dripping voice. “Having a good evening?”
What did she want now? I took a deep breath to conceal my irritation.
“What can I do for you, M?” I asked impatiently.
Her head snapped back at my tone, which was fine with me. The last thing I wanted was for her to think she was getting to me.
“Why are you watching G? I’m not sure I’m comfortable with your behavior,” she said sweetly.
Passive aggressive bitch.
“I’m meeting him tonight, and was thinking about how gorgeous and mysterious he was.” I faced her head on. “Is there something wrong with that?”
She ran her hand up my arm, and up to my face, where she cupped my cheek. It was astounding how presumptuous she was.
“Actually, yes. People come here to mingle and to play. Not to spy on one another.” She pursed her lips, studying me. “Some might say you are invading his privacy.”
I looked down at my feet, then back up. I wanted to punch her, but instead decided to comply with her strange rules. “I understand. Checking someone out is not cool. I gotcha.”
I decided to lay it on. “It’s just that I have a fondness for watching. But I’ll curb that.” I tried to look contrite. “Thank you for letting me know this was not in the spirit of the club.”
“You are welcome, B. You are always welcome.” She finally left.
The woman was paranoid.
Although…she had good reason to be.
I headed toward G. There probably wasn’t much to learn by watching him, and with M up my ass, I was just short of losing my shit.
There was another tap on my shoulder.
Jesus, what does that woman want?
But it wasn’t M. It was the bartender.
“Hi.” I continued toward G.
But the bartender moved faster, blocking my way. “Can I get you a drink? I’m done for the night.”
“Thanks, but I have plans.”
He grabbed my arm. And it wasn’t a gentle grab. “Aw, c’mon. We can finish what we started.”
He recognized me without my mask?
I pulled away, but his grip only tightened. What the hell? “Will you let me go?”
His brows furrowed. “Why?” He looked surprised.
“I am meeting a friend. I need you to let go of my arm. Now.”
But before he could release me, someone grabbed his arm.
He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “Oh! Mr. G, nice to see you this evening.”
What a relief.
“I appreciate your keeping my friend company.” G’s voice was friendly. His expression was not.
“Yes, sir,” the bartender said obediently. “Have yourselves a great evening.” He disappeared into the crowd.
And that was how it was done.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Glad I could help. I’ll be talking to Miss M about her over-enthusiastic employee.”
He led me by the hand to a loveseat at the edge of the room and I fell into its soft cushions.
“Thank you again for saving me over there. It was very gallant.”
“Well, his grabbing your arm like that was bullshit. He’ll be looking for another job soon enough.”
This was my opportunity. “Speaking of Miss M, I don’t think she likes me.”
He laughed. “She’s interesting, that one.”
I persisted. “Earlier, she asked why I was looking at you and told me I shouldn’t. It was very strange.”
What was strange was talking to someone whose face I couldn’t see.
“Well, were you looking at me?”
Busted.
“I guess. What’s the big deal?”
He shrugged. “I don’t see any harm in it. But she likes to keep everything under control and to her liking. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
He nodded to a couple walking by.
Now that we’d found each other, I had to get some info out of him. Every other inquiry I’d made had been met with a wall. I needed a new approach.
And I needed to move fast. M had a problem with me, and I didn’t want to know what she did with