Page 4 of Hollow House
“Maybe you need a change of scenery,” I suggested, seizing the opportunity. “Happy hour? We could get drinks and bounce ideas back and forth.”
Felix’s eyes widened, and he dropped the fuzzy handcuffs he had been ringing up for a pick up order.
“I’m sorry, did I hear that right?” he said, leaning on the counter.
“What?” I questioned.
“Sloane,” he answered accusingly, “you deny every invite to happy hour I text your way.”
“I don’t—” I started, but I stopped, realizing he was correct. “Okay, fine, but I’ve had a change of heart.”
“What do you want?” he asked and folded his arms, his back straight.He raised a brow, waiting for my answer.
“Do I have to want something to grab a drink with my best friend?” I tried.
He raised both brows expectantly, and I sighed.
“Fine. I need to figure out a way to get an invite to Hollow House before tomorrow,” I admitted.
He held up his hands to stop me from elaborating as his eyes widened even more.“This shop has ears. Drinks it is,” he said, a bit quieter.
“Drinks at Val’s?” I asked.
He nodded—he couldn’t say no to the small bar nearby, one of our favorite spots in town.
“Hey, Jack,” he called out.
“Yeah?” a friendly voice called out from a few aisles away.
“I’m heading out for the night, but I’ll be back early tomorrow to prepare everything for Halloween!”
“See you tomorrow,” Jack called back without question.
The walk outside was refreshing, the crisp air a reprieve from the thick sweater I wore. Felix rambled about the ideas floating in his head for his book, and I listened, soaking in every second with my friend. Even if I avoided these outings, it never meant I didn’t appreciate seeing him.
It was a constant war inside my own head.
The second we arrived at Val’s, I relaxed. It was a staple in the town of Dresel. In addition to the small diner down the street and the old library in the center of town, it was one of the longer-standing businesses in the town.
My own parents had frequented the place as teenagers. When the owners died, their kids took over running the place, and the spirit of the bar remained well and alive.
We took a seat in a booth, and a waitress immediately placed waters and a drink menu in front of us. I recognized her—she’d been working there for years. Felix gave her a warm smile and ordered a drink without needing the menu.
My eyes glazed over the multiple options and settled eventually on a margarita.
“It’s been weeks since we’ve had time to hang out like this,” Felix said after our drinks arrived.
“Yeah, we should do this more often,” I agreed.
The pointed look I received sent guilt through me. I knew I’d been relatively unavailable recently, but had it been that bad?
“That would require you to not work all day, every day,” Felix answered.
Maybe I was that bad. “It’s going to pay off,” I promised, fidgeting with my drink glass.
“I know you want to get out of here, but pouring everything into that place isn’t it. Didn’t you say your boss is a dick? Do you really think he’ll help you get there?”
The words stung, but I knew he meant well. He was the one friend I trusted to always be honest with me.
