Page 26 of Until Ace

I again focus on the man who’s in front of me and put my slipping smile back into place.

“Yeah,” the man says, taking a step toward my desk. I don't move a muscle. “You could give me your number.”

God, not this again. I barely contain the urge to roll my eyes.

“Or we can skip you giving me your number for now and go get a quick drink.” He winks again, assuming I’ll fall off my feet just because he’s asking me out.

In all fairness, he’s not a bad-looking man. If I ignore the weird vibe I’m getting from him, and his intensity level giving me the creeps, some would even say he’s handsome. Average height, dirty-blonde hair, blue eyes. I bet if I looked toward the cubicles, I would see some of the women peering over here to get a glimpse of him, hoping he’s here to see one of them.

For me? He does nothing.

Maybe if I met him last week.

Now, he doesn’t even come close to the man invading my dreams.

But, if I keep him happy, if I give him even a glimpse of fantasy that he will drive me away in the new car he buys today, he will be more likely to actually buy it.

I swallow down the bile that's rising in my throat and chuckle. I look down for a second, giving him the impression I'm too shy to keep looking at him, and then look up.

“Well, what do you say? Do you want to get a drink with me?” he whispers while leaning toward me like we’re old friends and winks… again.

I still don't say anything but right my head and push my hair behind my ear.

“Who can I get for you?” I ask without giving him the answer he’s after, getting him back on track. I think I may need a shower after he’s gone.

I don't like playing this game. This push and pull. On one hand, I have to let them in. On the other, I have to push them back and hope they won't step over the line or start harassing me.

“Come on, what do you say?” he pushes. “Go out with me. You know you want to.”

That is the last thing I want to do. And since he refuses to let this foolish idea go, I need to force him back on track so we can both get on with our day.

“I can't. I'm seeing someone.”

“Who?” he asks, stunned.

Why the hell is he stunned?

“Me.” The word is a half growl, half muted roar. But even before I look over the customer's shoulder, I know who it is.

The man turns to look at who said that.

Seeing the state Ace is in, the guy makes the smart decision to take a step back, raising his hands. “Whoa there, buddy.” He chuckles, but I catch him sending me a nasty look. Something is off with this guy, but I can’t think straight enough to figure it out. Not when Ace is standing in the same room. “I didn’t mean anything, just talked to the girl. I didn’t know she was yours.”

“Well, she is.” The way Ace says this, even I believe him for a second.

“Who can I get for you, sir?” I interject, hoping to stop a pissing match that’s going on in the lobby of the auto dealership. A few customers have already picked up that something’s going on; we don’t need more of an audience.

“I changed my mind,” the man says dismissively, but then he just stands there, giving me a hard look. It seems as if he’s thinking about something, then clearly making his decision, he grunts and turns around.

Throwing one last, measuring look Ace’s way, he storms out.

What was that all about? He had to know there was no way I would go out with him or give him anything more than calling the rep he wanted to see.

We both watch as he walks out. Even the way he moves seems off. There’s something menacing about him.

As soon as he’s out of sight, Ace turns back toward me and crosses his arms. “He asked you out.”

It's a statement, not a question. Still, I nod.