Chapter 4
We step into the crowded club. I could almost feel the sweat dripping off everyone on the dance floor.
Bianca grabs Julia and me and pulls us into the crowd.
We dance and sway to the music for a while.
After a couple of songs, I turn to them.
“Do you guys want a drink?” They both nod, and I make my way to the bar.
I haven't even ordered when I notice a man watching me.
When I look his way, he smiles, uncrosses his arms, and strolls over.
“Wow. I don't think I've ever seen a woman so beautiful.” He places a hand over his chest. I'm sensing sarcasm.
I narrow my eyes. “Could you be any more cliché?” He nods and rests both arms on the bar.
“Are you a work of art? Because I'd like to nail you to the wall.” I burst out laughing.
“Does that shit actually work on women?” He chuckles.
“Sadly, yes, but I can see you're not one of them.” I shake my head.
“No, I'm not.” He puts his hand over mine, making me deeply uncomfortable.
“Okay, then. Let's cut the bullshit. I want to fuck you.” I lean toward him.
“Cutting the bullshit: no, thanks.” When I look back at him, I can see I've bruised his ego.
He moves on to his next target. I collect our drinks and return to Bianca and Julia.
I give Julia her drink, then hand Bianca hers.
She smirks at me. “You've caught Mr. Blue Eyes' attention.” She points to Owen, Lee, and Graham sitting in a booth.
Graham is watching me, his gaze roaming over my body.
I swear he's following me. I shrug and start dancing with Julia.
Bianca heads toward Owen and his table. I roll my eyes and keep dancing, trying to stop thinking about how reckless she's being.
Then hands settle on my hips. I turn to find a random guy smiling at me.
I try to move away, but he catches my arm.
“Where are you going, baby? We were having fun.” I push at his arm.
“Let go of me.” He drags me closer, pressing our bodies together.
I struggle to free myself. Suddenly, a fist strikes his face, and someone grabs my arm, pulling me against what feels like a brick wall.
With a hand gripping my arm and my own hands against a hard surface, I stare at the man on the floor.
I'm too shocked to process what just happened.
Someone shakes my arm, then takes my face in his hands, and I find myself looking into ice-blue eyes.
“Nora? Nora. NORA! Are you okay?” I shake my head and glance down at the man clutching his bloody nose.
“Y-you... broke his nose.” I wrench my arm out of Graham's grasp and run outside, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I hear Graham behind me, shouting my name.
As soon as I get outside, a hand catches mine and spins me around.
“Nora, what's wrong?” I pull free. “Don't fucking touch me.” Through my tears, I see Owen, Lee, Julia, and Bianca coming out behind him.
Graham raises his hands. “God, are you fucking kidding me? I was trying to help you.” I point toward the door.
“You broke his fucking nose.” He grits his teeth.
“That's what you're angry about? That I broke his nose?
Are you serious? He wouldn't take no for an answer.
He wasn't respecting you.” I shake my head.
“That's not your problem, and breaking his nose was extreme.”
His eyes widen. “Wow. I can't do anything right with you. You know what? Forget it. I won't come near you.” I draw a deep breath. “Thank you.” If looks could kill. He shakes his head and brushes past my shoulder as he walks away.
Bianca rushes over. “What the hell, Nora? That was harsh.” My tears stop, replaced by anger. Watching Graham hit that guy had filled my head with memories of Damon and Henry beating me. Rage takes over. I walk down the sidewalk and hail a cab home.
I unlocked my apartment and collapsed onto the bed. Seeing that man curled on the floor, holding his broken nose, had brought back memories of being curled up myself while the blows kept coming. Of praying to God to take my life. My tears quickly turn to sobs. Eventually, I cry myself to sleep.
The next morning, I get up and decide to clear my head with a run. I follow Main Street toward a park. I can't believe Graham's angry outburst. Actually, I can. All men have anger problems.
When I enter the park, I spot Bianca and Owen near the pond.
I roll my eyes and continue down the path.
Bianca sees me, runs over, and catches my shoulder.
“Nora, what's wrong with you? You disappeared last night, and now you're ignoring me! Who are you?” I was furious.
She had taken his side because of Owen. “You know what, Bianca? I need some time.” She takes my hand.
“I know this is about your past. Graham is a good man. Not every man in the world is out to hurt you. You really should apologize. He was trying to help. Yes, he went a little far, but he thought that guy should have respected you.”
Owen joins us. “Hey, Nora. Look, Graham takes boundaries seriously.
Fuck, he'd kill me for telling you this, but he's really into you.
He watched guys checking you out and hitting on you all night, and he couldn't do anything because you'd told him to stop following you and leave you alone.
So when that guy crossed the line, he got really pissed off.
He has some anger issues, but he's working on them. He's one of the good ones. I promise.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. I'll apologize the next time I see him.” Bianca shakes her head. “Nora, you know he'll avoid you. He's trying to respect your boundaries. You have to reach out.” I shake my head. “No. That's not up for debate.” I kiss her cheek and finish my run.
The week passes with Bianca and Julia spending time with Owen and Lee. I haven't seen Graham since our confrontation a week ago.
On Friday morning, before the restaurant opens, I meet with Renzo to discuss the new posters I'm designing.
He's in his office at the back with the door open.
I go into the kitchen to grab some hand towels.
“Hey, Renzo. How would you feel about pink hair on the new poster?” I laugh, and I hear him chuckle.
“How about making me skinny instead?” Passing his doorway, I tell him, “Renzo, you're perfect.
I wouldn't trade you for the world.” He waves me away.
“Yeah, yeah. Sarcasm won't get you anywhere.” I huff.
“Sarcasm has gotten me everywhere.” I wink and laugh, then walk out to the bar, where a tall, muscular figure is waiting.
Graham stands at the bar with his hands in his pockets. Bianca rounds the counter and closes the kitchen doors behind me. I turn to look at her through the door, and she gestures toward Graham with her eyes. He looks pissed. My palms begin to sweat. This isn't going to end well.
“Bianca and Owen said you wanted to talk.” His deep voice makes me jump.
I stare into his ice-blue eyes, full of anger.
I stepped toward the bar. “I did. I wanted to apologize for the way I've treated you in general, and for last Friday night.” His jaw flexes.
He can probably hear my heart hammering against my ribs.
“You're apologizing for the way you've treated me in general?” he asks. I nod. “Yes. I... well, honestly, I was a bitch to you, and I shouldn't have been. Apart from the first time we met, you've only been nice to me. So, I'm sorry.”
His face lights up. I don't think I've ever seen an apology make someone look so happy.
He smirks. “You can make it up to me by coming bowling with the five of us tonight.” I sat there considering it. “Okay.” Graham leaves, and I get back to serving customers.