“It’s fine,” I said. “I didn’t think you were weird at all.”
I turned to leave.
“U-um, wait,” the woman said. “This is even weirder, but could you walk me out to my car?”
If it were anyone else, I would have thought she was hintingat something more. But one look at this woman told me she was terrified.
“Did someone bother you?”
“No, not really. I was just trying something new and it’s not working. I think I need to be home.”
I nodded. “I’ll walk you out then.”
She gave me a grateful smile and walked ahead. Then she paused. “Could you make sure no one touches me?”
Suddenly, her reaction to me being near her made sense. “Yeah, no problem.”
The woman nodded and nearly darted out of the bar. She was quick, and it was so busy inside that it was hard to make sure she got out untouched. When we were in the cool night air, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Finally,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem. Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ve dealt with this for years.”
“It’s kinda hard to live in a big city if no one can touch you.”
She laughed with no humor in her voice. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s why I never leave the house.”
“That’s not a life.”
“Any idea on how to get one?” She laughed awkwardly. “Obviously, my most recent attempt failed. I’ll be going home to rot in front of my TV where I try, and fail, to find a new show and then wind up rewatchingSupernatural.”
There was a ton of information there, and I had no idea where to start.I wasn’t even sure if she meant to tell me all that she had. “I have a TV show rec for you if you need one.”
“You know what, I’ll take it.”
“Check outRenovating with Love.Season one is good, mostly because I’m in it.”
“Are you trying to brag?” she asked, a ghost of a smile on her face.
She was a gorgeous woman, and if I’d met her months ago, I’d have smiled back.
“Not really. Just warning you that this is a little bit of self-promo.”
Her smile faded. “Noted. Thank you for your help. I’m Piper, by the way.”
“Dean.”
“Do you happen to be single, Dean?”
“It’s complicated right now, but thereissomeone. I’m sorry.”
“I get it, don’t worry. I just figured I’d ask to see if something good could come from this night.”
“Something gooddidcome from this night.”
“And what’s that?”