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Nodding, she clarified, “Yes. I’ll do whatever it is that you recommend I do so that I’m able to see more progression, faster progression, with the self-defense moves. But also, I really think it’s time I start the weapons training, too.”
Okay.
I couldn’t continue to do this without a better understanding of why this was happening so suddenly.
“Did something happen that I should know about?” I asked her.
“What? Why would you ask that?” she retorted.
Ellery’s voice came out sounding panicked. It was almost as though she thought I knew something and was trying to pry it out of her. While I couldn’t deny that I felt rather confident about my belief that there was something she was hiding from me, the problem was that I had no idea what it was.
“Well, it’s just that when we had a talk about it before, you said you wanted to take things slowly,” I reasoned. I didn’t want her to think I was accusing her of anything, especially because I realized that if she’d been in any sort of situation that forced her to come here instead of it merely being interest in self-defense, it might cause her to clam up and run. I didn’t want to risk that happening.
She nodded. “Yes. Yes, I know. But I’ve taken a few classes now, and I think I could handle it. I think it might be better for me, actually.”
Listening to the sound of her voice, it became clear to me that Ellery was trying harder to convince herself of that notion than she was me.
“And weapons training, too?” I pressed.
Ellery bit the corner of her lip nervously as she considered that question. It took superhuman effort for me to not stare at her mouth or even reach out to pull her bottom lip from in between her teeth.
When she finally spoke again, she did it at a much slower pace. She did it seeming rather unsure of herself and what she was asking for. “The sooner I start, the sooner I feel confident using one to defend myself, right?”
I wondered if she thought she might need to defend herself any time soon. Something just wasn’t right about any of this.
“That’s correct,” I confirmed.
“So, do you think that you or Jake or someone else who works in self-defense would be able to do some private lessons with me?” she asked.
“Ellery, I’m more than happy to—”
“Kane?”
I twisted my neck to the side and saw Jake had opened the door to the conference room. “Yeah?”
“I don’t want to interrupt, but can I talk to you about something?” he asked.
“Sure. As soon as I finish up with Ellery, I’ll come and find you,” I told him. “Are you going to be up here near the offices, or should I go searching in the warehouse?”
Jake pushed the door open wider. His eyes shifted between Ellery and me, and I could immediately see that something wasn’t right. “This should only take a minute or two,” he promised.
“It’s okay, Kane. I’m happy to wait here,” Ellery said.
I returned my attention to her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded.
“Alright. I’ll be right back then,” I promised.
With that, I stood and walked out of the conference room, closing the door behind me as I went.
“What’s going on?” I asked Jake.
“Did she tell you?” he retorted.
“Did who tell me what?” I countered.
“Ellery,” he said, jerking his chin in the direction of the conference room behind me.
