Chapter 21 #2
I reveal little, still straying from the names that send an uncertain panic through my system. But I do tell them about the kind restaurant owners, Walt and Cattie. The only interaction I’ve had with them has been through their restaurant, and mostly positive.
“Can we meet them?” Ashton asks. I can’t be sure that intermingling these two worlds together is a good idea. Everyone I’ve met here comes with secrecy wrapped in a bow. I take pride in protecting the two people I love most on this planet by keeping those bows tied up tightly.
“We probably should go eat there. You both will fall in love with their menu.” I say, hoping I can get lucky enough that the owners won’t be there when we do. I would dread for them to bring up Ry, or mention something that sparks too many questions.
The main part of town comes into focus, and I make an impromptu and illogical decision to introduce them to Cher’s shop.
If she is there, she seems the least likely to cause any lasting damage.
I just really want to share with them my favorite discovery in this small bayou town that she just happens to own.
So, I park on the little side street near a section of old townhouse shops. The brick road is unsteady under our feet as we all make our way into the dark brick building where Cher works, which is also the record store of my dreams. This is totally a good idea.
Stepping into this nostalgic portal makes me immediately giddy, but both Ashton and Lollie are looking toward the back of the shop.
Instead of rummaging through the records right away, they seem more focused on the man who sits in the far chair placed in the corner of the store, eyes closed with his arms above his head. Que.
I should have known. Looking as if he owns this place even when he appears in his own world.
Or I think he seems in his own world, but I watch as he peeks one eye open—aimed right at me.
With a tilt of his mouth, he opens both eyes and leans forward in the chair, clasping his hands between his knees.
A come-hither disposition that has me wanting to do just that.
Eyes locked, we stare a little too long. Lollie clears her throat, sparking my attention away from the devilish man and back to the reality of where we are and who I’m here with.
“So, you’ve left this one out of your list of new acquaintances, I see.” She is looking at me with one eyebrow raised and a very knowing, amused look gracing her petite pixie face.
He is beautiful. I can admit that. Anyone who has two eyes can see that, but there is something else that pulls me toward him. One would think it would be carnal in nature—it is not. It is an intimate understanding. Every time I look at him, I can relate. But to what? I don’t know.
While Lollie seems intrigued with my reaction to this man, Ashton just stares daggers.
If Que can feel this, he doesn’t let on.
He stands up and stretches his back, as if he is in no hurry.
I watch as a sliver of his midriff becomes exposed in his black shirt and fitted jacket.
Looking away proves challenging, which Lollie notices.
I dart my eyes away, flipping them at her.
Like she doesn’t drool at men who look like him on a regular basis.
But not many look like him. In fact, as I think about this, I find it odd that she doesn’t seem the least bit interested.
The Lollie I know would have already introduced herself to a man like that as well as wiggled her way into his nightly itinerary.
Que strolls toward Ashton, all the while his eyes glued to me. When he directs his attention to Ashton, he holds his hand out. A challenge Ashton accepts. A dual of wills on who will be the first to break their handshakes.
“Hello, you must be Jade’s best friends from Detroit. I’m Que.” Que directs his comment Ashton’s way. They both stare at each other. Not saying much with words, but they don’t need to. Finally, they let go of each other’s hands, and the standoff thankfully ends.
“I’m Ashton, and this is Lollie,” Ashton says, breaking the silence. The tension still buzzing in intensity.
“Hello, Que.” Lollie says with a tilt of the head.
“It seems you’ve heard about us, but I can’t say we’ve heard about you.
” And it is in that moment that I try to think back on the times I have talked about Ashton and Lollie to anyone here.
Of those moments, I don’t recall being with Que at all.
I must have mentioned them the other night when we were drinking wine, and maybe that is why I can’t seem to remember.
“That’s probably for the best,” Que says, in a deep tone that rattles my senses. And with that comment, he walks past us and out the door. Not even a glance back in our direction.
“Well, I can see why you didn’t mention him. I would hope to forget that kind of smug attitude too if I were you,” Ashton comments, exposing his annoyance at the whole interaction.
“He’s just really intense, but I barely know him,” I rush my words. “He came over for dinner just the once, and kind of uninvited at that.” I realize my mistake then, when they both snap their heads to look at me. My unfiltered mouth gets the very best of me.
“What!?” They exclaim, as if it’s a big deal. But things have changed in the last few months here. I’ve changed. Gone is the tame, calculated girl they knew back in Detroit.
“Oh yeah, I had Cher over, and she kind of brought him along. Just a harmless dinner. The company was a pleasant change since coming here. I don’t know many people yet.
” I add while browsing one of the record crates on the table against the wall, hoping to make the entire dinner event seem more casual than it actually was. Especially between Que and me.
“Nothing about him says harmless,” Lollie says with eyes that say more. She isn’t wrong. “And who is this friend? I haven’t heard about this harmless man or this new friend until now. Wish you would’ve let me in on that information, Jade.” Lollie’s wariness shining through.
“I just met them, actually, so there has been little to tell. I had them over for dinner once, and that was it. But it was nice.” I say honestly. I look to Lollie, who I can tell is bummed it took so long for me to tell her about the people I’ve met here, but she smiles as she always does.
We both pull each other in for a hug. A habit we have always done when we’ve reached a mutual understanding after miscommunication. Lollie and I always bounce back. That’s just how we’re built.
Ashton is a different story. He’s been quiet. Too quiet. He is super protective of me, always has been since he moved across from Moon Shadow Collectibles all those years ago. He was just a young man himself, helping his dad stock the local food market shop.
When he is this quiet, it puts me on edge. Watching me while chewing his bottom lip deep in thought, I can tell he doesn’t know what to think of this whole situation. The truth is, neither do I, but that’s on me to figure out.
“Who is the new friend then?” He asks, and since he had already met the one person I was hoping they would not, I figure there is no harm in telling them now. She seems nice enough.