"Wait, Wait, Wait, Natalie!" Raymond protested as she gently but firmly ushered him out of the house.
"Mr. Raymond, I mean Raymond," Natalie said softly but insistent, "Rachel is going through a tough time after what happened. You didn't notice her distress call, and that's understandable, but you need to give us space. Please, you need to go."
Raymond nodded reluctantly, feeling disappointed, "But I wanted to take you out..." he began, only to be cut off as Natalie shut the door firmly in front of him.
"Damn," he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples in frustration. He couldn't believe how quickly things had escalated. One minute he was inside, making progress with Natalie, and the next, Rachel had appeared, and he was being ushered out.
Exhaled deeply as his shoulders sagged, he leaned against the door. His gaze drifted out to the front porch, his eyes narrowing as they landed on his car. "This is not what I wanted," he muttered under his breath.
