Page 45 of Ruling Scar
I don’t doubt he will. Turns out he’s a chatty Cathy.
I scroll back up to the photo. I’ve never seen the guard next to him.
They know each other well and the clue isn’t in their willingness to sit so close to one another. It’s Elijah’s goofy grin—his real smile.
It’s difficult to catch his real smile because if he knows someone’s watching he’ll never let it appear. Most of the time it’s the Cheshire Cat smile or the annoyingly handsome smirk.
I made it into a game as a kid. Sneaking looks, I tried to see if I could find his real smile. By the time of my accident, I thought he’d gotten rid of it for good.
Lennie: What’s his name? I should get his number just in case.
I bite down on my lip waiting for his response. But it’s not his name that flashes up with an incoming call.
I almost fumble my phone. “Hello?”
“I’m looking at my schedule,” Ren says. “Lunch, twelve o’clock, okay?”
“Is something wrong?” She’s never called before.
“Yes, Abe keeps pressuring me to eat vegetables. But seriously, I’m putting you down as my lunch date. See you soon.”
I tell my boss I’m taking a long lunch due to an appointment. Considering I’m one of the only people without shitty time and attendance she doesn’t bat an eye.
“Hello,” I breathlessly greet Abe’s mom. A pretty grin splits her face. She’s got a peppering of gray in her shoulder-length hair. I don’t know if it’s due to her husband or son.
A huge crash from the kitchen tells me probably both.
Ren’s not at her favorite table.
She lifts a hand. “Here.”
“Why are you over here?” She chose a red booth on the other side of the restaurant.
“I’m on my lunchbreak,” she explains. “Abe, hurry up with the fried rice.”
Pots bang together and his head pops up through the cutout, scowling. His face brightens when he spots me. “As I live and breathe. Lennie Akatov in my restaurant during the daytime.”
When he’s not pretending to be upset, he’s lighthearted.
“Fried rice?” he asks.
“Yes, please. Awe, thank you.” His mom drops off a Coke, knowing it’s my favorite.
Ren frowns. “Why isn’t she getting lectured about drinking more water?”
Abe’s mother walks away.
“What’s going on?” I shrug out of my giant winter coat.
“You look so cute!”
“I look like I work in HR.”
I’m wearing black slacks with a pair of white sneakers. Ren screams executive with her stilettos and a tailored blazer. Not to mention she never has a bad hair day. Caramel highlights run through the dark brown locks and thick lashes line her green eyes.
“What’s going on?” I ask again.
Ren folds her arms on the table, leaning forward. “You texted me asking for Elijah’s address. Why don’t you tell me.”
