Page 72 of You're So Vine
Mainly because my older sister Blair made me.
Debra smiles. “I used to inflictWaiting for Godoton my students,” she says. “There’s a moment when Estragon says, ‘I can’t go on’, and Vladimir replies, ‘That’s what you think.’”
Her smile fades and she withdraws into her chair. I won’t ask what the heckWaiting for Godotis because that’s what Google is for. I should ask her about herself, if she needs anything, if she and Lee need help at home. I can hardly ask about what’s going to happen next because she’s told me. And I’m guessing there’s nothing anyone can do about that.
“Hey, big guy.”
Shit. Ava’s right in front of me. I didn’t see her come in. She looks okay, a little pale.
I get to my feet. “How did it go?”
“They made me stay still the whole time,” she says. “I hate staying still.”
“Any…?”
“Nasty discoveries?” She read my mind. “Scan has to go to an expert first. They’ll read it and contact Doc Wilson.”
“More waiting,” I say.
“Yup…”
Ava moves in for an embrace. I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head.
“Too bushed for beer and curly fries?” I murmur.
Kind of hoping she’ll say yes, but it’s her call. She’s the one who’s had a rough time. All I’ve had to do is sit and talk to—
Hell. Debra. I should introduce her. Which will be complicated, but I can hardly pretend I don’t know her.
I look back over my shoulder, trying to think how to explain this to Ava. But Debra’s not there. I peer out through the doorway. No sign. Guess she wanted to avoid complications, too.
Luckily, Ava doesn’t notice any of this. She raises her head from my chest, and says, “Yes. Beer and fries, yes. And a burger. And a jug of margaritas. And—”
“And I’ve got work in the morning.”
“Killjoy,” she mutters, but with a smile.
“But I’ll be the sober driver,” I tell her. “Just as long as you don’t force me to dance.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
AVA
The Silver Saddle is a typical Western-style bar with a jukebox, pool tables, and a lot of wood paneling. It’s owned by Brendan, who gave up truck driving, which he hated, to become a bar owner, which, if you didn’t know him well, you’d think he hated, too. Brendan is brawny, dirty blond and tattooed, like he’s an extra inSons of Anarchy. Who knows, he might be. Rumor has it he’s dating an actress who lives in LA. No one in Verity has ever seen this woman, so it could be a ruse to keep people with biker fantasies at bay. That and Brendan’s manner, which Doc Wilson would describe as surly. “Customer service” isn’t a phrase that Brendan puts much stock in. You’ll get good food and beer, but you’ll get it within Brendan’s timeframe, which is dictated by whether he judges you okay or an asshole. Bear in mind that everyone starts as the latter and has to work their way up. Want to leave a bad review on TripAdvisor? Go for it. Might first want to make sure your life insurance premiums are up to date.
Shelby and Nate are already here in the big corner booth, along with Shelby’s besties, Chiara and Jordan. Rumor also has it that Jordan had a big crush on Brendan until she found out about the actress. Now, she’s giving him the cold shoulder, and only comes into the bar because Verity’s one other licensed establishment, Bartons hotel, doesn’t serve beer. Okay, that’s not strictly true. You can order a German fermenting lager at forty-five bucks or splash out on a limited edition vintage Danish brew that costs a mere hundred. Or you can come to The Silver Saddle and drink what you’re given.
In my case, an ice-cold IPA that Cam’s just set in front of me. Cam and Brendan are like non-speaking brothers from another mother, so he never has to wait long. He slides into the booth next to me. I love the feel of him next to me, but I can sense tension. Cam would rather be back in the hospital waiting room than in the spotlight that Chiara, Jordan, and Shelby have just (metaphorically) shone right in his eyes.
“How are things going with you and Ava?” Chiara asks.
“Uh,” says Cam. “Ava’s right here…”
“I can see that,” says Chiara, as if she’s humoring a slow person. “I want to hear it from you.”
There’s a pause.
“Good,” he says.
