Even with that little bit of intel, he had a feeling that she was not the type of woman who wanted to be rescued. Which would be a good thing in normal circumstances because Will was not that guy. As he repeatedly told his mother, hoping she’d take the hint, he was no one’s prince. But he’d been in enough boardroom standoffs to know how to make a strategic exit.
As Brett closed the distance between them, Will squeezed Lexi’s shoulder.
He leaned down, spoke low so only Lexi could hear him. “If you trust me for five minutes, I’ll get you out of here smoothly.”
She turned her head, bringing their faces incredibly close. He noted the little freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her brows furrowed. “Better than the alternative.” She glanced back at the women, gave a big smile and small wave.
Brett looked closer to twenty than Will’s own age of thirty. He wore his department store suit well enough. Will knew the type—decent guy looking for his shot to head up the ladder. If such a thing existed at a small, one-off, albeit popular restaurant.
Will turned to face the manager, reaching out a hand as he angled himself between the guy and Lexi. Brett stopped in surprise, shook Will’s hand, giving him the opportunity to clap the guy on the shoulder, lean in, and firm up Lexi’s excuse. “Hey, Brett. I’m Will. A friend of Lexi’s. She’s got a family emergency. I’m going to take her home. Can you meet me at the front door with her bag or whatever she brought to work?”
No one else could hear them but he saw Lexi, from the corner of his eye, watching them with worry.
Brett, the no-nonsense manager Will expected him to be, nodded quickly. “Absolutely. Of course.” He looked over at Lexi. “Take care of yourself.”
Lexi’s nose scrunched up adorably. Will nodded to the women watching them closely, thanked the waitress, and took Lexi by the arm. They went out the glass patio door that ought to be locked if they didn’t want people eating and running off. They’d walked around the side of the building that led to the front entrance before she stopped.
“Oh my God. I can’t believe I just walked out on a shift because I was too much of a wimp to tell my former high school friends I’m a waitress. What am I doing?” She looked up at Will with regret and disappointment that made his heart muscles clench. The front door of the restaurant opened. Brett saw them immediately and passed Lexi a jean jacket and a huge cloth shoulder bag.
“I’ll find someone to cover the rest of your shift, Lexi. Good luck with everything.”
Will nodded, taking her things. “Thanks, man. We’ll keep you updated.”
The best offense was generalization. Fill in none of the blanks but make the opposition feel useful. Like they’d helped arrive at the necessary conclusion.
Brett hesitated a moment, then went back inside. Will turned, looking down at Lexi as he passed her the bag and jacket.
“Thank you. I don’t even know what to say.” She shrugged. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why don’t we take a short walk? Help you clear your head while you decide what to do next.”
She pulled on the worn jacket that was too thin to combat the cool weather, settled the strap of her large purse across her body, making the T-shirt scrunch between her breasts. Will immediately lifted his gaze, focused on her face. When she shoved both hands into her hair, most of the tower toppled. She pulled out some invisible pins and the loose waves bounced around her face, making her look even more lovely.
“Everything happened so fast. I was just thinking maybe I didn’t completely suck at the whole waitressing gig and things would turn around.” She made a dismissive sound, lowered her hands.
“You don’t suck,” he said. He had two sisters and a mother. He knew to keep his commentary brief. She probably just wanted to vent.
An amused smile hovered on her lips. “Thanks for lying.”
The honesty surprised a laugh out of him. They stepped around a couple arguing on the sidewalk, heading in the direction of the market. They could stroll along the water, then he’d walk her to her car and likely never see her again. The thought made his gut cramp.
“I’m not lying. Entirely. That was the best pastrami sandwich I’ve had.” He didn’t even know he liked pastrami.
Lexi stopped abruptly and turned to face him. “You ordered a BLT.”
Will fought the laugh but felt his lips quirk. “I did.”
Lexi groaned, tipping her head back. When she straightened and looked at him again, she frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me I gave you the wrong order?”
He shrugged as they started walking again. “I figured it was the universe’s way of telling me to break out of my routine.”
Lexi’s laughter floated like musical notes on the late-September breeze. “Or its way of telling you to pick another restaurant.”
“No way. Becca’s followers are right. The food is good, you’re charming, and the other waitresses are great,” he said.
She laughed again, as he’d hoped. “Nice. I can’t even argue. I’m probably going to lose my job now. What did you say to Brett?”
“That you had a family emergency. I’m sure they’ll give you another chance.”
