Page 24 of Claymore
“Right this way.”
We walked toward a booth at the very back of the restaurant, right near the vent where the cool air blew, cooling me down. I spotted Hallie’s red curls and her freckled face peeking up from the menu. She smiled warmly at me as I slid onto the other tufted booth chair.
“Ella! This place is lovely. I’ve never been to Mascid before. It’s so close and yet I’ve spent all my life in Sedona. How are you?”
The excitement was oozing out of her like she really thought that my trip out here was a joyride. I waited for the questions to start flowing, for her to ask me what I was really doing out here. My mind was reeling with excuses and lies that I could tell her just to put her at ease, because if she knew the truth, I was sure she’d never be the same.
We put our orders in, sipping on our iced teas, breaking bread in the little woven basket with its wax paper sticking out the sides. She popped a piece of sourdough into her mouth, washing it down.
She glanced up at me. “So, you didn’t tell me what brought you down here in the first place. I was surprised when you told me you were taking time off work. Crystal’s isn’t the same without you.”
My heart sank into my stomach when I thought of Derek and Louise holding down the fort, probably wondering what real trouble I got myself into. It was hard enough leaving them behind indefinitely and I wondered if the time would come where I’d have to do the same to Hallie.
“I have spent my entire life working, just trying to get by, and I’ve been comfortable. I’ve gotten used to my mundane daily routine, getting off work at the same time, grabbing food at the same places. I think I just needed a change. Derek and Louise were pretty understanding and I’m so glad for that,” I said.
“When will you be back? I’m gonna miss stopping by your place and sharing a bottle of wine after a long day.”
“I’m not sure, but I know I’ll miss home enough to be back eventually. Right now, I just want to try something different,” I murmured.
Hallie reached across the table, resting her hand over mine, smiling softly.
“You deserve it, Ella. You’re the hardest working, smartest person I know. I’m glad you can see you finally need a break. I’m surprised you chose somewhere so close to home though,” she remarked.
“Baby steps, I guess. You know I haven’t really been out of the city much either. The closest I got was that tattoo shop on the outskirts of Sedona near the big brick entry sign.”
“Oh my God. The Inkpot.That place used to be a fan favorite. I’d get so many people down at the bookstore talking about it and then it just all stopped. Was it your brother’s girlfriend that took you there?” she asked, quickly shutting her mouth when she realized what she’d said.
I stared down at my entrée, moving my asparagus around the plate as the memories started flooding back. I looked at the inside of my wrist, brushing my fingertip over the little black heart outline I’d gotten when I was last there.
“Ella, I’m so sorry. I know you don’t like to talk about your brother.”
“It’s okay, Hallie. Really. He hasn’t been a part of my life for a long time. I did get this tattoo with Gina. She used to spend all of her time there when she was dating that tattoo artist. I wonder if the place still exists.”
“Well, you won’t be dragging me down there for a tattoo. You tried when you got yours, and if you try again, I’ll have to politely decline.” She chuckled.
“Not one for living on the wild side, are you, Hallie?”
“I do plenty of wild things.”
“Really? When was the last time you had an adrenaline rush?”
“Yesterday when I had three cups of coffee and finished that three-hundred-page novel in a few hours.”
“Real wild, Hallie. Real wild,” I teased, and she giggled.
Hallie and I fought over who’d pay the bill as I tried to sneak some cash into the little black folio, but we eventually decided to split it. We walked outside and I spotted Hallie’s car in the lot.
“I’ll see you soon?” she asked, hugging me tightly.
“Of course you will.” She smiled and headed off.
I turned around, seeing Claymore standing there, perched on the side of his bike, smiling.
“Had a nice time?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you.”
“Good. Now I’m taking you back home where you’ll be under lock and key until I return.”
