Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
The cat seemed okay, so I tugged on the handle to the heavy door.
It didn’t budge.
Alarmed, I pulled harder, but it didn’t give an inch. I banged on it with my fists, but that only produced a muffled sound that couldn’t possibly be heard from inside.
I bit my lip, trying to think what to do. A normal person—a person allowed to carry a phone, that is—could just call their dinner companion and ask him to open the door.
But when had I ever been allowed to live a normal life?
Feeling uneasy, I scanned the alley. I seemed to be in the middle. The streets on either end looked equally distant.
I headed to the left, which was better lit. It was dusk, heading into dark, and I wanted as much light as possible. I passed by several establishments, but their doors looked as heavy as the one I’d come out of, and they were all locked, too.
And then a door opened up off to my left, spilling light, music, and a drunken gentleman into the alley.
“Hold the door,” I said hastily.
“Sure thing, darling.” The guy didn’t so much as hold it as he fell against it.
Loud music assaulted my ears as I dashed down the hallway of what could only be a bar. At least once I got to the main street, I could circle around to the front of the restaurant without having to navigate any more of the dirty alleyway.
Except … Wait, the restaurant had been on the opposite side of the alley.
My stomach flopped painfully.
I stopped in my tracks, and someone bumped into me from behind. “Pardon me.”
Numbly, I stepped to the side, but the man didn’t move past me. “Are you okay, miss?”
“Yeah, I just—I was eating with a friend, and I went out back and got locked out.”
He smiled, showing white, even teeth. “Well, at least you’re back now.” He looked over my shoulder. “Where’s your friend?”
“No, it wasn’t here.” I couldn’t seem to gather my thoughts. I wish I hadn’t had that wine before. It was like my brain was operating in slow motion.
“Well, come have a seat by the bar for a moment, and we’ll get you squared away.”
“No, I should get back…” I trailed off. The smart thing to do was to go back to the alley or out the front door, but I felt turned around. I wasn’t even sure I knew the way back to the restaurant. Then, suddenly, my brain kicked in. “Can I use your phone?”
“Sure.”
Relief filled me as he put his hand lightly on the small of my back and led me over to two open seats at the bar. He looked like a nice man. Probably Stefano’s age. He had dark blond hair and a goatee. It was strange to see a blond after spending so much time with dark-haired men.
“I’m Scott.” His hand lingered at my waist until I was seated next to him.
“Leila.”
“Nice to meet you, Leila.”
“Can I use your phone now, please?”
It was loud in the bar, and I didn’t think he heard me, because he signaled to the bartender. “Another beer and a Cosmopolitan for my friend here.”
“Oh, no, I’m good.”
“Trust me, you’ll love it.”
“Please, can I call my friend?”
“Of course.” He set his phone on the counter between us. I picked it up and the dark screen lit up, but it needed a password.
“Can you—” I stared at the numbers on the keypad in dismay. I didn’t know Carmine’s number. How would I … I’d never called him.
“Something wrong, Leila?”
“I don’t know his number.”
Scott chuckled. “I don’t know a single number, either. That’s why I keep them in my phone. Did you lose yours?”
I shook my head. It was so loud and crowded in here. It made it hard to think. But then I realized I could call the restaurant. They could let Carmine know where I was. Half of the staff seemed to know him anyway.
“Can you put in the code?” I wasn’t even sure if that was the right phrasing to use. I hated how little I knew of modern life. Scott probably thought I was an idiot. And sadly, about many things girls my age were supposed to know, I was.
“Sure.” Scott took the phone from me and swiped the screen open. “Are you from around here, cutie?”
“I just moved here.” I stared at his fingers, but they’d stilled. “Could you please—” My heart sank as I swallowed the rest of my words.
What was the name of the restaurant?
God, I’d just seen it a little while ago. Something Italian, probably… but what? I needed to think. I needed quiet. I needed air.
“I can show you around town if you’d like. Ever been to Shedd Aquarium?”
I stared at him, trying to focus on his words. He’d made the offer so easily. In his world, if you wanted to go see the sights, that’s what you did. You didn’t have to ask permission. You didn’t have to wait until someone was available to drive you.