Page 77 of Another Girl Lost

“Hunger. It was one a.m. and I’d just finished working. It was open. First bite and I was in love.”

I rose out of the car and waited for him to come around. He moved one step ahead, opened the door, and waited for me to pass. The space was small, with just four red booths. Behind the narrow counter stood an older guy with thick gray hair and a mustache. There was no marquee displaying all the selections—just a few laminated menus on the counter.

“How’s it going, Charlie?” Luke asked.

Charlie nodded. “Hanging tough, counselor. The usual?”

“You know me too well. Scarlett?”

I glanced at the menu. There were only twelve items, and they were all basic. Nothing fancy here. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

“Make it two, Charlie.”

Charlie called out the order to a cook and then filled two soda cups with cola. “Burgers on the way.”

Luke took the booth farthest from the door and sat in the seat facing the exit. As I settled, a couple of guys walked in, laughing and shoving each other. They were drunk—but then, this place was designed to feed late-night drinkers. One of the men glanced back and leered at me. It was a feeling I’d never gotten comfortable with but could manage. I scooted closer to the inside of the booth.

Luke’s jaw pulsed. “How long have you been in this area?”

“Eight years,” I said. “At the time, places like this were cheap and what I could afford.”

“And the prints sell well?”

“They do.” I sipped my soda, grateful for the sugar and carbonation. “I’ve started a new series. I’ll be making fifty prints. Each day is a new color. Today was the second color.”

“Let me guess: green.”

I glanced at my hands. “I thought I did a good job of cleaning up.”

“There’s a speck of green on your neck.”

My hand rose to my neck. “Hazard of the business.”

“Do you enjoy it? Working for yourself, I mean.”

“I do.” I relaxed a little.

“And for fun, you climb walls and risk your life.”

“I also paint. And run. The days are full.”

“Sounds pretty solo.”

“It’s good.”

Charlie brought our burger orders as the two intoxicated men sat in a booth. I could feel their gazes on me, but I kept my focus on the food. “Enjoy, Luke. Loaded you both up with extra fries.”

“Thanks, Charlie.”

Charlie looked at me. “He’s a good one. Best defense attorney in town.”

I smiled. “Good to know.”

“I know you, right?” Charlie said.

I shrugged. “Do you?”

“You own the art studio. I read the article in the paper. You painted a mural or something.”

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