But the bartender moved faster, blocking my way. “Can I get you a drink? I’m done for the night.”
“Thanks, but I have plans.”
He grabbed my arm. And it wasn’t a gentle grab. “Aw, c’mon. We can finish what we started.”
He recognized me without my mask?
I pulled away, but his grip only tightened. What the hell? “Will you let me go?”
His brows furrowed. “Why?” He looked surprised.
“I am meeting a friend. I need you to let go of my arm. Now.”
But before he could release me, someone grabbed his arm.
He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “Oh! Mr. G, nice to see you this evening.”
What a relief.
“I appreciate your keeping my friend company.” G’s voice was friendly. His expression was not.
“Yes, sir,” the bartender said obediently. “Have yourselves a great evening.” He disappeared into the crowd.
And that was how it was done.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Glad I could help. I’ll be talking to Miss M about her over-enthusiastic employee.”
He led me by the hand to a loveseat at the edge of the room and I fell into its soft cushions.
“Thank you again for saving me over there. It was very gallant.”
“Well, his grabbing your arm like that was bullshit. He’ll be looking for another job soon enough.”
This was my opportunity. “Speaking of Miss M, I don’t think she likes me.”
He laughed. “She’s interesting, that one.”
I persisted. “Earlier, she asked why I was looking at you and told me I shouldn’t. It was very strange.”
What was strange was talking to someone whose face I couldn’t see.
“Well, were you looking at me?”
Busted.
“I guess. What’s the big deal?”
He shrugged. “I don’t see any harm in it. But she likes to keep everything under control and to her liking. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
He nodded to a couple walking by.
Now that we’d found each other, I had to get some info out of him. Every other inquiry I’d made had been met with a wall. I needed a new approach.
And I needed to move fast. M had a problem with me, and I didn’t want to know what she did with problems.