“What? No!”
“Liar.”
She wouldn’t look at him, so instead he nudged her ahead to follow the waiter to their table.
“What can I get you both to drink?” the young man said once they were seated.
“Do you have chamomile and ginger tea?”
Newman rolled his eyes as the waiter shook his head.
“Perhaps jasmine then?”
The waiter shook his head again.
“Can’t you do anything like normal people?” Newman growled. “Drink tea, for pity’s sake. You know, milk, sugar, brews in a pot?”
“I don’t like it because the bags are often bleached, and who drinks that stuff nowadays anyway?” she snapped back at him.
“Normal people,” Newman said, sending the waiter an apologetic look. “You got any lemon and honey, bud?”
The waiter nodded.
“Throw a bit in a cup for her, will you.”
“No worries.” The guy scratched on his pad, then sent Newman a smile.
“How’s the other guy look?”
“Missing two front teeth.”
“Yeah? Nice work, man.” They slapped hands. “You guys ready to order food too?”
“Whole wheat toast, thank you, with honey,” Hope said politely.
“Sausage, bacon and eggs, toast, hash browns, and the pancakes, thanks. Heavy on the maple syrup, too.”
“You can’t eat all of that!”
“No, I really can, and as I’m paying I can eat what the hell I like.”
The waiter left smiling, and returned minutes later with their drinks. Newman dumped sugar in his coffee and drank it black. He tried not to blink too hard. His eye was throbbing, like he was sure Hope’s head was.
“Neanderthal,” she muttered. “Who appreciates someone losing their teeth, and a black eye. Seriously?”
“Another Neanderthal,” Newman said.
“And wanting to drink and eat so my arteries are not lined with fat is not a fault.” She bristled.
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those non-meat or anything eaters, are you? Carrot sticks, lettuce, and fresh air only?”
She ignored him, and sipped her drink.
“So spill about this limp dick Jay.”
She continued to ignore him, and looked out the window.
“Here’s my take on it,” he added. “I think you and this creep had a thing, but that you didn’t know he was after your job, which by the way he now has. What I don’t know is what he did to you. “
