Chapter 2

WILLOW

“I thought you fell in!”

I stand at the table and force a laugh.

“Was about to call a diving rescue crew to track you down!”

This guy likes to exclaim statements. A lot.

He tries to add some kind of punchline as much as possible.

It’s obvious someone told him that humor went a long way on a date. Which it does. A guy who has a sense of humor…? Yum.

But this guy…

“Everything okay, Willow?”

He tilts his head and looks way too concerned for a guy out on a first date.

You know how some guys you can just tell they are there to get laid? Just the way they act and talk and all that? Like you know they don’t give a damn about you… they are just hoping to get you home and make a move. Right?

This guy is like the opposite of it.

I feel like I can tear my clothes off right here and he’d panic and find a blanket to cover me.

So the forced jokes and the over niceness… I don’t know. I can’t tell what’s real or fake. I don’t know if this guy is romantic or hoping to kidnap me and turn me into a lampshade like some sicko serial killer.

Hence the reason I text Knox.

I really didn’t need to text him. I don’t even know why he popped into my head. I mean, yeah, that night at the bar when we talked for about five minutes and he offered to bail me out…

This is the first real bad date I’ve had in a while.

“Willow, are you okay?” Dan asks.

Dan.

Daniel.

Danny!

I pull out my chair and start to sit.

Dan jumps up and smacks his forehead.

“Can’t believe what I’ve done!” Dan cries out.

“What?” I ask.

“I didn’t pull your chair out for you.”

“Dude, it’s fine,” I say.

“You sure? You’re not mad at me?”

I swallow hard.

Holy crap, Knox, hurry!

“Dan, just sit down. Relax. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure you’re okay here? I get the feeling you’re uncomfortable.”

I smile.

I have no problem being honest.

Except when I get vibes. You know? A vibe. Like the person across from you might be just too damn nice…

“Wait a second,” Dan says as he stands up again. “I’ve got to go check the score…”

Dan walks toward the bar, eyes glued to a basketball game on one of the TVs.

He pinches the bridge of his nose.

Then he points at the screen.

He starts to wiggle his fingers.

He makes a fist with his other hand and bites on it.

What the hell is this guy doing?

I slowly reach for my phone so I can text Knox again.

Like I need his ass in gear… right now…

“Fuck!”

The booming voice makes me gasp.

It’s Dan… screaming at the TV.

“Fuck you! You stupid fuck! What the fuck? Fuck!”

Now he’s waving his middles fingers at the screen.

People around him are starting to laugh at him.

I cringe. Secondhand embarrassment.

Oh, he’s not done yet…

“What are you laughing at?” Dan yells at everyone laughing at him. “I had money on that game! What about you? Huh? You have money to just throw around on betting?”

Someone stands up.

My jaw drops.

Now I’m picturing Dan getting into a fight. And what I’m supposed to do.

Can you imagine?

I mean, that would be a great way to end the date.

Stand over him as he’s a bloody mess from getting his ass kicked.

“Dan, listen, this has been fun… but I can’t date someone who gambles and gets beat up. At least not on the first date, you know? Sorry.”

Dan backs off before any punches are thrown.

He turns, looks right at me, then he smiles.

He’s instantly calm like nothing just happened.

He walks back to the table and sits down.

“Dan?” I ask.

“Yeah?”

“You… everything good?”

“Perfect. Why?”

You just threw a shit fit over a basketball game that I assume you bet on and lost some money… but you’re just acting like nothing happened at all…

“How about another drink?” Dan offers. “If you want. I’m not trying to get you drunk. That’s not my style. We can also leave here if you’d like. Where’s your favorite place to go?”

I feel cornered and confused and I’m ready to scream.

I’m at the point where I will stand up on the table and declare to everyone there that I have bowel issues and I need to leave right now.

Anything to get me out of this…

“I think we’re okay right here,” I say. “In fact, we should probably pack it all up soon, huh?”

“Pack it all up? You mean… end our date? The night is over? That fast?”

With each question, Dan’s eyes get bigger.

He looks ready to explode again.

Shit. Shoot. Crap. Fuck. I need help.

I keep a smile on my face. I’m not sure if that’s helping or hurting.

Now I’m starting to panic.

I look around, look toward the door…

I see the door open and I cross my fingers and toes.

Please be…

Knox!

Knox walks into the bar and I almost launch myself to my feet.

But I can’t do that. I have to play this cool. See what Knox has planned.

I will admit - I feel really relieved at the moment.

Knox pauses and turns. He offers his right hand.

Someone walks in right behind.

A tall, beautiful woman.

I’m not an idiot.

Knox is on a date.

He brought his date here… to somehow rescue me…?

Why do I feel like my night is about to get even crazier?