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“Why are you in such a sulk? Missing Jasper?”
On the heels of his taunt, her phone dinged. She read the text, then clicked off.
“How’s he doing?”
“Better.”
“Puked it all up?”
“Drank a ginger ale.” Then, with full-blown hostility, she said, “You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?”
Drex didn’t have time to respond because Elaine’s return to the table coincided with the waiter delivering their soufflés.
They ate them, their conversation limited to comments about calories and how some foods were worth the splurge. They had coffee but didn’t linger over it, and when Elaine suggested after-dinner drinks, Talia bowed out.
“I hate to cut the evening short,” she lied. “Jasper says he’s feeling better, but I really should get home to him.”
Elaine had insisted that they all ride together to the restaurant, leaving Talia’s car at the townhouse. When the restaurant valet brought around Drex’s car, Elaine got in the front seat, as before. Talia sat in back.
Their positions were such that Drex could observe her in the rearview mirror. She kept her head turned toward the back seat window.
As they neared Elaine’s neighborhood, she expressed regret that Jasper had missed such a luscious dinner. “If he’s up to it, let’s have a foursome lunch at the country club tomorrow.”
Talia continued to stare out the window. “It will depend on how he feels in the morning. I’ll have to let you know.” She didn’t sound at all enthusiastic about the prospect.
“I’ll make a ressie for four in the hope that you can make it. Noonish? Or a bit later?”
Drex said, “Sorry, Elaine, but I have to decline.”
“Oh, no.”
“I’m stuck at a pivotal part of the novel and much in need of inspiration. I’m thinking of going in search of some.”
“Where does a writer begin looking for inspiration?”
“Holy ground.”
“Church?”
“Hemingway’s house in Key West.”
Talia’s reaction was instantaneous. Her head came around. They locked eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Have you been there?” He addressed the question to her, but Elaine responded.
“My husband and I docked there. But only once. The vibe was a little too bohemian for him.”
Drex acknowledged that with a nod but never took his eyes off Talia, who, after holding his stare for several seconds, had turned her head aside again. Un-huh. No way, he thought. He wasn’t going to let the question go unanswered. “How about you, Talia?”
Without looking at him, she lowered her chin slightly. “I was there a couple of years ago.”
“And?”
“And…” She raised a nearly bare shoulder. “It was all right.”
“Just all right?”
“Not my worst destination, but not one of my favorites, either.”
