I think it was…
Ryan looked down at the man clinging to his leg, tears and snot streaming down his face. The sight made Ryan shudder, and he quickly stepped back, trying to put some distance between them.
Whoever this guy was, Ryan had never seen him before in his life.
"Uh… could you, like, back off a bit?"
Ryan fumbled for his phone, intending to call Alice. He needed to let her know that some weirdo had shown up on her turf.
As Ryan tried to move away, the man—Dave, apparently—persisted, sticking close but at least giving Ryan a little more space. Still, it was way too close for comfort.
"Who are you, man? And where's Miss Alice?"
The question seemed to hit a nerve. Dave winced, sucking in a sharp breath, and his fists clenched.
"Assistant, I'm not some old man. I'm only a few years older than you."
Dave's words didn't seem to convince Ryan, who eyed him skeptically. Dave's posture slumped, making him look even more like an old man.