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“Have it your way.”
I shake my head, protesting, but Dr. Pearce twists around and picks up a pair of arm crutches. Securing them in his hands, he stood up. Was he disabled? Why didn’t I see the crutches earlier when I was in his office?
“You can’t go out there. He’s just some idiot.”
The man, who was waiting for Dr. Pearce to follow was now glaring at us. I put my hand on Dr. Pearce’s arm while summoning Samuel at the same time.
“What’s up, Megan?”
“That asshole spilled a drink on me, and when the doctor asked him to apologize, he wanted to fight.”
My eyes plead with Samuel to do something. Thankfully, he pointed at two of his security guys and then directed them to the troublemaker. They escorted him, along with his friends, out of the bar in a quick fashion.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he insisted. “I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”
“But you’re, you’re…”
“Disabled. You can say it. It’s not a bad word.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
I picked my purse up off the bar and got off the stool.
“Megan, don’t go. It’s perfectly fine. You didn’t offend me. I’m used to it. I can protect myself when I need to, and I’ll surely protect the honor of a lovely woman.”
Hesitating, I sat back down, feeling foolishly defensive until he smiled, disarming me.
“Let me make up for my rudeness earlier by buying you dinner. I’d also like to get to know my employees a little better since I’m new to Manhattan. I have no friends here, and who can’t use some friends?”
I crook my brow. “You want to be friends?”
“Of course. I’d rather be friends than enemies, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, I’d agree.”
“I don’t know the area very well, so why don’t you choose a place to eat.”
“I haven’t said yes.”
He stares at me for a moment. “Then let me formally ask, would you let me take you to dinner, Miss Stanford?”
“Yes, I accept your invitation. What type of food do you like?”
“Anything really, though I am in the mood for a good steak.”
“I know just the place. The Bull and Brew is a few blocks away from here, but we can take a cab.”
I would have suggested we walk since it was a fairly nice evening, but with his disability, I didn’t want to embarrass him.
“We can walk,” he counters.
My eyebrows raise in surprise, but I quickly turn away so he wouldn’t see me. I pick up my purse again while Dr. Pearce secures his crutches. He gestures for me to go ahead of him, and I hold the door so he could pass through.
We are silent as we walk to the restaurant. I could see that he used the crutches for balance because he only slightly leaned on them. I was curious if he had sustained some type of injury, but it would be rude to ask, so I decided to wait until he offered an answer.
When we arrive at the Bull and Brew, it is crowded. After giving my name to the seating host, I look around for the owner, Steven. He and I had been friends for a few years. Well, friends with benefits, but it had been a while since our last encounter. I ask the hostess if she could tell him I was here.
Nodding, she calls him on the intercom that was attached to the station she was at. A few minutes later, Steven comes out. Giving me a tight hug, he briefly presses his lips to mine. After pulling away, I glance back and notice Dr. Pearce scowling at him.
