A car pulled up beside me, then slowed on the sidewalk. I narrowed my eyes. Was someone actually going to try to help me? Did I look as pathetic as I felt?
I watched nervously as the back doors opened and two men stepped out. When I realized I didn’t know them, I sighed with relief.
“Stop staring,” I called, brushing my bloody palms off on my dress. It was new, but it didn’t matter – it wasn’t like I’d be going on any more dates with Thomas.
The men advanced on me, leering at me.
“It’s rude,” I called in a shaky voice. Swallowing nervously, I turned on my heel and began stalking away from the two men. Their feet began to slap the pavement and I broke out into a run. In a matter of seconds, I felt four strong hands wrap around my arms and hold me in place.
“Leave me alone!” I shrieked loudly. “Help! Help! Somebody help me!”
“Shut up, bitch,” one of the men hissed. “We’re armed, and we’re not afraid to shoot you.”
“Help!” I shrieked once more. A sharp elbow to my gut made me cry out in pain and before I knew it, my eyes were rolling back in my head. Something wet and foul-smelling was pressed to my face and suddenly, everything went black.
Chapter Sixteen
Thomas
“June!” I screamed. “June, where the hell did you go?”
My voice echoed off walls and buildings. The crowds of well-dressed people around me eyed me with pity, like they felt sorry for me.
“Stop staring, assholes,” I muttered under my breath. “You want to keep looking at Thomas March, you’d better take a fucking picture.”
I couldn’t believe it. I’d been chasing after June for blocks, and I still hadn’t managed to catch her. I had no idea how she was managing to run so quickly – especially in heels. When we’d gone out before, she’d barely been able to walk.
But somehow, I was starting to guess that my June was a fast learner.
Finally, in complete frustration, I turned around and went running back to Aguilar, the Spanish restaurant where we’d started a disastrous evening. I knew that it had been wrong to shut June out, but I couldn’t have possibly told her the truth without ruining her evening, too.
Now I felt like a fool. I should’ve been honest with her from the beginning, and told her what was bothering me. Now, I worried that I’d ruined a lot more than dinner. I’d acted like a complete fool – how the hell was I supposed to apologize for that? I just needed to find June and talk to her in person…I was sure she’d listen to what I had to say.
On my way down the block, I pulled out my phone and dialed June. Predictably, it went straight to voicemail.
“June, this is me – Thomas. I am so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, and I swear that I’m not angry with you at all. Something really bad—“
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Looking down in frustration, I groaned when I saw that Marlene was calling. I hit ‘ignore’ but by the time I got back to June’s voicemail, the inbox was full and I couldn’t leave another message.
“God damn it!” I screamed. For a moment, I was tempted to smash my phone on the sidewalk. But then I realized that if June got my message, she wouldn’t be able to call me back. Breaking into a run, I darted across the street and into Aguilar.
“Yes?” the maître d looked up at me. “Forget something?”
“Did she come back?” I asked breathlessly.
“Who, sir?” He narrowed his eyes. “Who are you talking about?”
“The girl with black hair, the one I was sitting with,” I said quickly.
“No, sir, I have not seen her.”
“Fuck!” I balled my hand into a fist and slammed it down on the table. The maître d looked perturbed.
“Sir, if I may help you, please let me know. Otherwise, I am very sorry, but I will have to ask you to leave.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled. “Thanks for nothing.”