Page 4 of Life's a Beach
She turned to keep walking home when she heard the bouncer call out to her, “Wait. Don’t go yet. I know that you might not want to talk to the cops, but you should. Did he hurt you?”
She nodded a little, “I hit the mirror with my back. It doesn’t feel good.”
He chuckled softly, “Come on. Let me get you an ice-pack and you can wait in the office until the police get here.”
She bit her lip and followed him into the bar, where he led her to a small room that was lit up.
He kept the door open as he left her there and then when he came back, he handed her a small towel wrapped package.
“Ice. Put it on your back. My colleague has the other guy in the back. He is looking over the footage.”
She nodded, “Thank you.”
He smiled, “You are welcome. What’s your name beautiful?”
“Bria Thomas.”
He nodded, “I thought so.”
She felt her brows pull low and looked at him in confusion, and he just stared at her.
“I’m Gareth. Gareth Butler. Nice to meet you.”
She heard him whisper under his breath, “Finally.”
She felt even more confused but sat quietly and shook Gareth’s hand.
He held hers for longer and ran his thumb gently over the back of her hand, before dropping it.
She was so confused by him. Men that looked like him didn’t give women that looked like her the time of day.
She didn’t know what to think and Gareth said, “How is your back? I can go see if there are some pain pills?”
She shook her head, “It’s fine. Thank you though. Are you new in town?”
He nodded and went to answer when a knock sounded at the door and the other large man that grabbed the guy from Gareth’s hand stood there.
“The cops are here.”
Gareth stood and walked behind her chair and when the cops came in, they took her statement and watched the video that Trevor -Gareth’s colleague- had pulled up for them.
They took the guy that tried to assault her away in handcuffs and she felt better.
She knew that he wouldn’t stay in jail, but she hoped he would think twice before touching another woman like he had her.
Gareth stood by her side the entire time and she felt some strength seep into her from him and she appreciated it.
When all was said and done, he walked her home after talking to Trevor and when she got to her door, he leaned down, “I’m sorry you got hurt on my watch. Next time you leave the boutique late, and need someone to walk you home, I will be there.”
She looked up at him, “Why would you do that? You don’t know me.”
He smirked at her, “You’re wrong on that account.”
She shook her head, “You make no sense. None.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly, “I will. Soon. Today you need to go see your friends and tomorrow, we will talk.”
He took a deep breath and then pulled away and walked down the path and toward town.
