“Tap.”
“Coming right up.”
Carter is still in my face when I turn back around.
“Something the matter?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he says. “I’m just trying to figure you out.”
I note his slightly slurred sentences and hazy eyes, and draw the conclusion that he’s had one too many beers.
I tell him, “I hate to be a bore, but there unfortunately isn’t much to figure out.”
“The most interesting people always say that.”
“Name me some interesting people. You must’ve met a few in your days as Milton’s Milkshakes CEO.”
“I’ve met quite a few. I always thought that having money got you into the most interesting rooms. I was wrong.”
“Yeah. I suppose this run-down shack is quite something.”
“It is now that you’ve entered it.”
One too many, just as I suspected. “Okay, you’ve definitely had way too much to drink.” I go to grab the beer but he takes a step back.
“Who do you think you are? My mother?” He says it jokingly but the smile soon disappears from his face. It’s like a ghost has suddenly walked through him.
Like he struck a chord without meaning to.
“Not your mother, no, but how do you plan on protecting me if you’re under the influence?”
“I’m a man of many talents.”
I don’t doubt that.
Carter goes on watching me with his calculating eyes. Despite the fact that he’s probably holding his tenth beer of the night, he keeps good eye contact, so much that he’s looking at me like I’m the only person in the room.
“I meant what I said outside,” he says. “You really are spectacular.”
“Thanks. Which makes me a target, isn’t that right?”
“Not to us, but to others, yes.”
“Then what am I to you, other than your prisoner for the time being?”
His stare deepens. I expect something witty to come out of his mouth, not something existential. “I don’t know. But I keep running into you and I don’t know if it’s a coincidence.”
I set the empty glass of water down so I can make use of my arms and fold them over my chest. “What else could it be?” I snort. “Fate?”
“It shouldn’t be ruled out.”
“We live in the same city.”
“I haven’t seen you in three years, and then all of a sudden I run into you twice.”
“Coincidentally,” I add.
“I’m not so sure.”
