She Restrained A Renegade

Five

5-Justin

I sat across from Zoe in the diner and wished I'd talked her into going somewhere else, somewhere more private. All eyes were on us and you could hear a pin drop in the room. How were we supposed to get to know each other, if everyone else was eavesdropping? I was used to attention, being up on stage, but I wasn't comfortable with this baited silence.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Zoe said, glancing around with a sweet blush on her face. She'd been pretty back in high school, but she was a knockout now. She'd pulled her red hair up into a messy bun and I wondered how long it was. I'd never cared much about a girl's hair before, but for some reason, I really wanted to untie her hair and run my fingers through it. Her hazel eyes were darting around the room, nervously, and I could still see the line of freckles that went across the bridge of her nose. I knew some girls tried to hide their freckles with makeup, but Zoe wore hers proudly. I liked that about her. I really liked how her figure had filled out as well.

I tried to ignore everyone else in the room, as I asked, "How are you not married?"

Zoe's eyes swung to mine so fast, it surprised me. She glanced down at the table and whispered, "If I were to answer that question, it wouldn't be here, where the gossipers are just waiting to lap it up."

"Do you want to get out of here?" I asked, praying she wouldn't detect any hidden agenda in the offer. I mean, if my lips happened to land on hers, that wouldn't be such a bad thing, right?

Zoe shook her head and gathered her purse, "I think this was a bad idea, Justin. Thank you for everything that you've said and I'm sorry, but I've got to go. My next class starts in thirty minutes anyway."

I threw some money down onto the table for the food we had barely touched and went after her. We'd walked the three blocks to the diner from the school and she was already halfway back when I caught up with her. I gently grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. When she turned to face me, I was shocked to see tears spilling down her cheeks. I was horrified. Had I really caused her to cry?

"Zoe, talk to me. What did I do wrong? Was it wrong of me to ask why you're not married? I mean, you're gorgeous, Zoe, and on top of that, you're sweet. What is wrong with the men in this town that one of them hasn't swept you off your feet?" I asked, dead serious.

Zoe angrily whipped at her tears, "I told myself that I wouldn't let him continue to win and look at me. I'm a mess."

I stiffened, "Who? Let who win?"

Zoe sighed, "Two years ago, I got engaged. Owen Marian swept into town like a hurricane. He was several years older than me and opened an office downtown. He's an attorney. Every single lady within a twenty mile radius took notice, including me. I didn't go out of my way for him, like others did, but when I ran into him at the diner one day I took him up on the offer of dinner. One date turned into two, then three, then more. He wooed me in, saying all the right things at exactly the right time. Within six months he asked me to marry him and I said yes. I moved in with him that same night. Things were great for a couple weeks, but then he had to travel to Chicago for business, he said. When he came back home four days later, I emptied his suitcase to wash his clothes and I found a phone number tucked into his pants pocket. When I asked him if he needed it, he snatched it from my hand and accused me of going through his things. Did I not trust him, he wanted to know. I was floored. I'd figured it was a number for business that he'd forgotten he'd left in the pocket and I just didn't want him to lose it, but his behavior was just the first red flag in our relationship."

I wanted to wrap Zoe up in my arms and keep her safe. I wanted to protect her from the world. I wanted...shit, what was I saying? I wasn't staying in Seneca, so I couldn't make her any promises. So I tried to shake away my thoughts and focus on her. I asked, softly, "What finally tipped the scales and ended your relationship?"

Zoe took a deep breath before continuing, "After the phone number incident, I paid more attention to detail. Owen had several more trips to the city after that and every time there was evidence saying that he was cheating on me. Lipstick on a shirt collar or the scent of perfume mingled with his cologne. I don't usually wear perfume, so I knew it wasn't mine. The third time, I couldn't take it anymore. I accused him and all hell broke loose. You'd think that I was the one cheating and lying with the way he tried to twist things. The final straw, however, was when he hit me."

I jolted, "He fucking hit you?" I regretted my outburst, when Zoe flinched away from me. I clenched my jaw, "Zoe that is not ok. I don't care what the circumstances are. It is never ok for a man to hit a woman. Where is Owen now? Is he still in town?"

Zoe's eyes widened, "Why?"

"Because he and I need to have a little chat."

"No. Just leave it be, Justin. Please."

"Fine, for now, but I'm guessing he is still in town and I'm guessing he hasn't made the breakup easy on you. So if I happen to run into him, while I'm here, so be it. In the meantime, give me your cell phone." She frowned, but did as I asked and I programmed my number into it. When I handed it back to her, I explained, "If he ever gives you any trouble ever again, you call me immediately. I don't care if it's while I'm still in town or if it's after I leave. Call me, Zoe. Promise me you will?"

Zoe stared at me for a long moment, before she agreed, "I promise."

I flashed her a grin, "Good, now text me, so I have your number too."

"You're pretty bossy, you know that?" Zoe grumbled, but a moment later my cell chimed with an incoming text from her.

"Well, while I'm on a roll...go to dinner with me tonight."

Zoe's eyes widened, but then she said, "I don't think that's a good idea. You saw all of those prying eyes at the diner. We can't go anywhere in this town without people getting into our business."

I nodded, "Ok, then come to my place. I'm temporarily renting the old Kenner place."

"Seriously? Isn't it haunted?" She blurted, making me laugh.

"I'd never guess you to be the type who would believe in ghosts."

Zoe shook her head, grinning sheepishly, "No, I don't really believe in ghosts, but I've just heard so many stories about that place that...I don't know, it kind of gives me the creeps."

"So that's a no?" I asked, feeling disappointed.

"No, it's not a no, although it should be. You're only here temporarily, so I have no business hanging around you and risking getting attached. I have teacher conferences tonight though, but nothing tomorrow."

I felt a pang in my chest. She was right. I couldn't stick around, but was starting to wish I could. I don't know what it was about this woman, but she was getting to me, hard core. So I ignored my pesky conscience and prodded, "So, it's a yes? You'll come to Kenner tomorrow evening?"

"Yes."