The song from the speakers is an awful auto-tuned version of “Holding Out for a Hero,” making me prefer my friend’s raspy rendition.
I slide onto one of the stools at the bar. “He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast, huh?”
Reg stops singing but continues her diligent wipe-up along the counter. “Since he’s also got to be racing with the thunder and rising with the heat, I doubt the bloke even exists.”
“I’m sure Sarah will be happy to hear that.”
She cants half a smile my way. “Looks like you’re sure about a lot of things this fine morning.”
I lean over the counter, grab a ceramic mug, and then fill it from the large coffee urn. “I’m sure of the fact that it is a fine morning—and I plan on turning it into an even finer day.”
“Well, happy Saturday to you too.” She flings the dishrag over her shoulder and leans against the counter. “On your way to save the whales, secure world peace, or patch up the ozone layer?”
“Hmm.” I take a contemplative sip of my brew. “Maybe all three.” I’ll probably feel capable of it after setting things right with Kara again. Breaking down the final barriers between us. Having her trust—and her truth. At last.
Reg finishes her long laugh. “All that, eh? By drinking only the Arabica?”
“Who needs caffeine when the day begins with proper motivation?”
“All right, then.” A knowing purse of her lips. “And does this awesome new ‘motivation’ have a name?”
I get in my own astute head tilt. “Well, she is awesome. Just not new.”
“Oh?”
Her smile widens, but not with the effort I’m expecting. It’s the most forced cheer I’ve ever seen on the woman’s features. I’m almost insulted she’s trying to pass it off as authentic.
“And who’s the not-so-new daisy we’re referencing, exactly?” she adds tightly. “One of those lovelies you and Jesse brought to the Melora Hall party?”
“You remember my date disappearing with someone else that night, right?” I inch up a corner of my mouth, waiting for Reg to take full, sarcastic advantage of that truth. But I’m more unnerved when she doesn’t.
Her reaction is more of what she’s already given me. Her shoulders are still squared and tense. Her lips are still tight and twisted.
“Because you were mooning over Kara Valari in the classics section, yes?” Her expression flattens with sudden understanding. “It’s her, isn’t it?” she mutters. “Damn.” She adds the oath beneath her breath, but I hear all the strained edges on the words. She pushes up her volume and asks, “Are you sure about hopping off this particular ledge, young man?”
I brace my elbows to the bar top. “I think I’m pretty much into the ravine now, Reg. But I’m also not a ‘young man’ anymore.”
“Why, yes,” she drawls. “You’re positively ancient.”
“And you’re positively not excited about this.” I search her with harder scrutiny. “Not by even half a good thought. Why?”
“I support you with plenty of good thoughts, Maximus. And I have done so for quite a long—”
“That’s not an answer.” I hold her with my stare. “You and Sarah care for me. I know that. I get that. What I don’t get are your issues with me being involved with Kara.”
“Hmm.” She regards me with new focus but still manages to look aloof. “I didn’t realize you’d become such a fan of the Valaris.”
“She’s a lot more than a family name, Reg.” I’m somber about the words because I’ve never meant anything more. “Honestly, I haven’t met any of them yet besides Kara and Kell. And unlike most of the world, I’m willing to withhold blanket judgments based on headlines that are built on marketing formulas.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing now?”
“I only know that a couple of weeks ago, on this very roof”—I nod toward the ceiling—“you told me Kara isn’t worthy of me. So that was either the kind of canned sentiment that comes from someone who cares, or you were drawing conclusions about a perfect stranger based on what the tabloids have told you. I can’t imagine you got to that judgment by watching her across a crowded room for five minutes.”
I’m calm about every word, but she goes painfully still, as if she’s been shot from behind. “Then the best of your knowledge is wrong.”
“Which means…what?”
She inhales with purpose. Releases the breath just as steadily. “Which means exactly what it implies.”
I blink at her. Hard. “What it implies is that maybe you know more about the Valaris than you’ve let on.”
Or