Thad, a cigar pinched between his fingers, crossed his legs and comforted Eileen.
"Alright. No one messes with my baby. I'll teach her a lesson for you."
With that, Thad pulled out his phone and summoned two bodyguards.
Maggie's heart raced. “Are they actually going to beat me up?” she thought.
Of course, if a fight broke out, she wasn't afraid, but it was better to avoid trouble.
Besides, she had no idea who this Thad was. If he was connected to the mob, making an enemy of him could cause problems down the line.
Time for plan B.
Just as Maggie was thinking, the bodyguards pushed the door open. Thad had already given them their orders.
"Some lunatic wandered in. Drag her out and teach her a lesson so she remembers it."
As a bodyguard's hand landed on Maggie's shoulder, Wendy Clifford's shriek echoed from the hallway right on cue.
"Honey, what are you doing in here? You scared me to death!"
She stumbled through the doorway and rushed to Maggie's side, looking frantic.
Taking in the scene, Wendy protectively hugged Maggie and glared at the two bodyguards.
"What do you think you're doing? My friend is drunk! I'm telling you, if you dare touch us, I'll call the cops on you!"
Wendy's performance was perfect—she looked like a fiercely loyal, if slightly clueless, friend ready to go to bat for her bestie.
She shot the bodyguards another sharp look, then knelt to help Maggie up, chiding her all the while.
"Look at you, getting blackout drunk every day. You're going to drink yourself into an early grave. Is some jerk really worth all this? If he doesn't want you, you still have me!"
Wendy's plan was to get Maggie out of there.
But just then, Maggie whispered in her ear, "Play along."

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