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“Hey, I won't spike your coffee.” He chuckled behind me.
I rolled my eyes before throwing a smile over my shoulder. “I know.”
Once I entered the narrow hallway that led to the bathrooms, I released a breath and peered out. Eric was grinning at the empty chair across from him.
Crouching, I awkwardly put one leg in front of the other as I moved toward the door I had seen employees come and go through. There must be a second door that led outside. I prayed there was a second exit. I made my way behind the counter.
“Hey, you can't—” The red-haired barista caught my eyes. “What's wrong?”
“That guy.” I nodded toward the tables. “I need to escape him.”
She smiled, probably assuming it was a date gone wrong. I couldn't care less as long as she helped me. "Come on," she said, and I breathed easier.
Once I was outside, I pulled in deep breaths and headed in the opposite direction from the café. Whew! I'd lost him. I looked back at the entrance and saw the familiar-looking blonde hair glinting with the sun's light.
“Fuck.” I hurried off, shoulders down, head low, and coffee cups smushed to my front.
I kept moving, looking over my shoulder, ensuring he didn't follow me. After walking so fast I was nearly breathless, I stopped in a busy area and scanned the pedestrians. No Eric. I read the signs. I had never been this way before or had any idea what direction I should be going. I had no option but to take a cab now.
Sighing, I headed for the corner grocery store.
“There you are!”
"Oh, shit." My hands flew to my chest as I locked eyes with Eric. I realized my hands were empty as I heard the thumps and the glug of spilling coffee. Luckily, they didn't splash, but they were ruined. Of all things, tears clouded my eyes.
“Oh, shoot. I'll have to get you another.” Eric took a step toward me.
“No!” I yelled, putting a hand out. “Stay away from me.”
“Violet...” he said gently, eyes darting to the passers-by. “You're making a scene.”
"I don't fucking care. Just leave me alone." I started past him, intent on calling that cab and getting away, but his hand clutched my arm.
“Hey, babe. Are you crying? I meant no harm.”
I attempted to yank my hand away, but he held on so tight his fingers only dug deeper. My shoulders fell. "Please, just let me go."
“Hey, come on.” He turned me to face him. “You know I can't do that. You are my world.”
My eyes blurred with tears, but I blinked them away. Crying wouldn't solve a thing. I needed to get away from him. As if he'd learned his lesson when I left him at the café, he kept a firm grip on my arm.
“Look, I'm done playing games. I came here to pursue what we have.”
“We have nothing, Eric.”
“You have no idea how much I care about you. Do you think other men would do this for a woman?”
Other men are not insane.
“I'm already getting an apartment here in Cape Worth. You can come live with me. Soon, I'll get a transfer at my job. And who knows? I might end up doing what you always wanted.”
“What?”
"Pop the question. You ladies are all about that, right? He isn't serious enough if he hasn't gone down on one knee."
The disturbed asshole.
“You know what? I'm ready, babe. I'm ready to commit to us fully. That's why I'm here. That's why I need you to stop running from me so we can build a life together.” He pulled me against his chest and held me there. “You are mine, Violet.”
