scraping down her throat. She placed her napkin on the
he dim, quiet hallway, desperate for a moment of peace away
ensive floral soap. She turned on the brass faucet and spl
el, the heavy restroom door swung
ed her innocent act entirely, her posture relaxed and over
ve life. She specifically hinted at the nature of Chloe's relat
meticulously. She gave Poppy short, non-committal, per
ch and began adjusting her makeup in the mirror. She started to humble-brag, her voice dri
She told Poppy she looked great, her voice flat, and
he colleagues were a few drinks deep. A manager from Harrison Properties
sily. He casually draped his arm over the back of Chloe's cha
rken to a thunderous, terrifying expression. His knuckles w
He ordered another double pour of neat whiskey. His dark eyes were
ison called for the check, paying the e
wood floor. They shuffled toward the front of the re
the room made her head spin. She slipped away from the group to use the l
orridor near the back exit, she sudden
t of the men's room. He was clearly intoxicated, his usual
ckly pivot on her heel and walk away bef
ting figure. He lunged forward with surprising, terrifyin
He stepped into her space, effectively pinning her bac
t his hard, broad chest. The heavy, intoxicating scent of expensiv
ward. He rested his forehead against the wall right next
x mix of raw pain and heavy intoxication. His lips parted
s. She was instantly, entirely convinced he was drunkenly ca
her. Her stomach churned. She realized she was nothing but a phys
er of his chest. She broke his
" she spat, her voice tre
pposite wall. He looked confused and deeply daze
speed-walked away down the corridor,
tand. She ignored Ethan, who was waiting pat
he hailed a yellow cab alone, sliding into the back se
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