Page 1027 of One More Kiss

Chapter2

This was going well.

It was the next morning and I sat across the table from my potential new client, a middle aged woman with long black hair, and startling violet eyes.

I could tell she was worried by the way her hands twisted over and over in her lap. Neither of us had our coffee yet. I guess we were waiting to order before we got this show on the road. My attempts at polite conversation had been met by silence and more hand twisting.

The waitress arrived, out of breath. “What can I get you? Sorry for the wait, we’re slammed today.”

“Coffee, black, and the breakfast stack for me.”

Finally, a reaction from my potential client. Her eyebrows went up as her eyes flicked to the menu and then to my waist. Yes, I eat like a horse and never put on weight. Deal with it. Or maybe that was me being over sensitive. Years of a fast metabolism, plus a love of all things sweet, meant I got many such looks, and usually the mean-girl comments to go with them. It didn’t help that I was lean and lanky. Maybe I could have been a model, but that had never been my dream.

“Just coffee, a flat white with almond milk, please.” She smiled at the waitress and handed over her menu. “Thanks.”

She went back to studying her hands while I debated how to get her talking. How can I help you? What brings you here today?

I didn’t have time to mess around, and if I didn’t need the money I wouldn’t have come at all. But with Mom off work I had to bring in a pay check if I could. We couldn’t keep relying on Aunt Joey.

I decided to be blunt.

“What can I do for you? Actually, let's start with your name because it wasn’t clear from your email.”

She looked up and I grinned. “You have to admit, your email address was a bit shady.” It was just a bunch of initials and numbers at a Gmail address. Could have been anyone.

When she still didn’t say anything I pushed back from the table. “Look, if you're not going to talk to me, there's nothing I can do.”

I stood. It was a shame to leave without breakfast, but I was wasting my time. And I only had four more days until my birthday. Four more days to rescue my twin.

A soft touch on the back of my hand made me pause half way up.

“Wait.”

I sank back down.

She met my eyes with her violet gaze but stayed silent. I shook my head. “I can only help you if you talk to me. You don't want to tell me your name? That's fine. But give me something. Please.”

She let go of my hand, took a deep breath and then exhaled, a decision made. Holding my gaze she said, “My name is Clara and as far as anybody else goes, I don't exist.”

That got my attention. “What do you mean, you don't exist?”

She sighed and sat back. “I died fifteen years ago. Was murdered in fact. The man who did it thinks I’m dead, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Wow.” I leaned back in my chair, mimicking her pose. “I have so many questions about that.” I held up my hand. “It’s okay, I won’t ask. But you haven’t explained what you need me for. Why do you need a bodyguard? If the guy has found you then you should be going to the police.” My eyes narrowed. “You should have gone to the police fifteen years ago.”

She smiled and waved it off. “You’re young, you don’t understand. No, it was better that he thought I was dead.”

The waitress chose that moment to deliver my food and the coffees. We waited in silence until she bustled off again.

I picked up my mug and inhaled. I’d have to wait until it cooled before I could take a sip without scalding my tongue, but I could enjoy that delicious scent immediately. I mean, I could add some water to cool it but where’s the fun in that? Plus, it gave me a reason to stay silent until Clara resumed her story.

Clara took a sip of her coffee. She closed her eyes, savoring it, before carefully setting her mug back down and leaning back in her seat. She eyed my pancakes and I nudged my plate towards her. “Help yourself, if you like.”

She shook her head. “Allergic to dairy. I would if I could, but I sadly I can’t.”

The line sounded rehearsed and I wondered how often she had to explain herself.

“Let me get to the point,” she said, and I nearly cheered. Finally.

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