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From the corner of my eye, I’d watched Alex wander out to his car. I’d wanted to go with him, but the thought of riding back to my place in an uncomfortable silence, then having him drop me off instead of coming in made me dig in my heels and stay at the restaurant, even if it meant calling for a ride. Of course, I was nowhere near ready to leave yet. I wanted to sit and drink until I forgot, or managed to drown my sorrows, whichever came first.

I’d managed to flag down the waiter to order a bottle of wine. This time, I selected a vintage I couldn’t get for free back at my place. I’d write it off as a business expense. Once the bottle had been uncorked, the waiter began to pour my glass, but I stopped him.

Laying a hand on his forearm, I murmured, “I own a winery. Let me.”

He grinned, bowed slightly, and backed away. “Of course, miss.”

“Thank you.” I smiled as he moved to leave me to my own devices.

At first, I poured a small amount in the bottom of my glass. I swirled it, then paused to watch the legs. Before I could even complete my analysis, a man had taken the seat Alex had been in not so long ago.

“What are you doing?” he asked, nodding toward the glass.

“Watching the wine legs,” I murmured absently, in the hopes that I wouldn’t encourage him. The last thing I wanted was for some asshole to ruin what little night I had left.

“Huh. I never really enjoyed wine. Now legs, I like. And I couldn’t help but notice you have a nice set.” He reached out and ran a hand over my thigh.

I stiffened and glared at him. “What are you doing?”

He frowned. “Offering you a compliment. I thought that was obvious.” He rolled his eyes like I was an idiot.

I shook my head. “A compliment is something like…you have nice eyes, or I like your hair like that, or what a pretty blouse.” I licked my lips. “You touched me. It was completely uncalled for and incredibly unwanted. Go away before I call the waiter and have you removed.”

He leaned over the table. “Fine. The last thing I need is an uppity bitch.” He spat the last word in my face and the hand in my lap curled into a fist.

“Keep walking, you giant cootie. I don’t have the energy to deal with you. Bye.” I sighed angrily and hoped he’d take my advice and walk away because I was genuinely ready to punch him if he continued to offend me. After Alex left, all interest in pleasing anyone but myself had ended. I was pretty much over dumbass men.

“What did you call me?” he sneered.

People were starting to stare. I could feel eyes on me. The waiter was stuck at a table on the other side of the restaurant. I was truly on my own. And if there was anything I hated, it was creating a scene, calling attention to myself.

“Cootie. Come one. You’ve never been called a cootie before?” I leaned back in my chair and shook my head in surprise. “I find that hard to believe. A guy like you? Someone who thinks he can touch anyone he wants, however he wants?” I sighed. “Well, if no one else said it aloud, then I’m sure they were thinking it.” I giggled. Then I ignored him altogether and poured my glass of wine. This time, I sniffed deeply, my eyes closed as I tried to focus on the scents that had been activated by my gentle swirling motion. “Fruity. Oaky.” I opened my eyes and saw the guy still staring at me, sadly, with a hint of frustration at being insulted. “And mopey. Dude, go away,” I urged.

“What did you call me?” I could see the hairs on the back of his neck starting to stand on end. His ears had turned red. And I could detect more than a hint on the alcohol in his breath.

I sighed. “I get it. You’re drunk. Which name did you miss?” I paused and saw his jaw jut out. “Okay, one more time. In order.” I held out my hand to tick off the names on my fingers. “Cootie. Mopey. And the generic, but still one of my favorites…dude.”

He slammed a hand on my table. My wine glass shuddered and I snatched it off the table before it could tip. “Whew. Nearly a party foul. I got you.” Then I winked.

“You bitch,” he roared.

“Sir, I’m going to need you to take it back.”

We both turned to the new voice. Alex had returned.

“You came back,” I murmured as a smile played on my lips.

“Obviously I can’t leave you unattended,” he noted as he pointed toward the guy who still stood there like a dolt.

“Want some wine?” I asked quietly. “Market research.”

Alex smirked. “The wine or the guy?”

I laughed. “The wine. The guy isn’t worth my time.”

“Him, or me?” I watched as Alex’s brows rose hopefully.

Pushing my chair back, I stood, then set my glass on the table. “Him.” I grinned. “I’d give you all my time.”

“Starting now?” He held out his hand.

“I’m pretty sure it started when we met.” I sighed happily.

The waiter showed up and glanced back and forth between us nervously. “Is everything okay here?”

I smiled. “It is now. Check please. One last time.” Then I walked into Alex’s arms.

Alex shook his head. “We don’t have time for this.” He pulled a fifty-dollar bill from his wallet. “Will this cover it?”

I nodded. “The bottle was about thirty bucks,” I commented.

“Keep the change,” he told the waiter. Then he wrapped his arm around my waist. “I’m taking you home, Charlie,” he warned me. “And then I’m staying. Clearly, you can’t be left to your own devices.”

“What about earlier?” I asked nervously.

Alex pulled me close. “We’ll work it out. Tonight, I just want to be with you.”