A week passed before they had another run-in. Luka almost walked by Ike's when he saw her through the window, and he was startled by her appearance. He hurried inside and sat down without waiting for an invitation. She was ghostly white, eyes sunken in, looking as though she'd lost at least five pounds in the past week. He reached out and placed his hand over hers, which was ice cold. "Jesus, Abby. You look half dead."
She gave him a weak smile. "Just a cold. Don't worry about it." She reached for her mug of coffee, and he noticed her hands shaking slightly. She caught him watching and frowned. "Stop that. You're paranoid."
"Abby, you're scaring me. You look like you're going to pass out any minute." His voice was quiet. "Have you eaten anything yet?"
She shook her head. "I'm not all that hungry in the morning."
He motioned to the waitress. "I'm getting you a bowl of soup. You need something hot, your hands are freezing."
"Luka..."
He ignored her and told the waitress to bring a bowl of chicken soup and a glass of juice. "Where's Carter?" He found himself genuinely irritated that Carter was absent again.
She pursed her lips. "Why? Does he need to be with me every second?"
Luka looked at her seriously. "Because he should be looking out for you. You're obviously not healthy."
"He's not my caretaker." She eyed him. "And neither are you. Anyway, I told you, I'm fine."
He leaned across the table and lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "Believe it or not, I still care about you. And I'm going to worry whether you say I can or not." He reached out and cupped his hand under her chin. "Don't tell anyone, but I really am a nice guy."
She smiled as the waitress set the soup and juice in front of her. "I know, and thank you for trying to look out for me." She took a sip of juice. "But there isn't anything to worry about."
Luka rested his chin on his hand and watched her slowly pick the noodles out of her soup with a fork and study them each carefully before inserting them in her mouth. He chewed on his lip, contemplating what to say. Finally, he broke the silence. "You know you can talk to me," he said softly. "If you need me, or anything..." He trailed off, leaving the rest to be implied.
She looked up at him, a little smile softening her face. "Thanks."
He nodded and absentmindedly stirred his coffee. He gestured to the sugar, which was on Abby's side of the table. "Can I..."
She passed it to him, not looking up. Her lips tightened a little, and then relaxed. "I think it's over, anyway."
"What?"
"Me and Carter" She still didn't meet his eye. "It's been going downhill for awhile, now. We sort of crashed and burned last night."
Luka wasn't sure if he should ask, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Crashed and burned how?"
She snorted, a sarcastic sort of laugh. "He just sort of announced that he's going back to Africa. Didn't even discuss it with me." She rubbed her face with her hand. "He said something about how his life has a purpose there, or some idealistic crap like that. As in, I'm not worth sticking around for. It was very charming of him."
Luka frowned and shook his head. "Carter is an idiot, then. And a jerk." He paused, trying to decide if he should continue. His voice dropped. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
She blushed and brought her coffee mug to her mouth to hide the rosy color seeping over her pale cheeks. "You should be in a real relationship, Luka. You're a good guy. I don't get why you keep messing around." She sighed and dug in her purse for her wallet.
Luka stopped her. "My treat." He gave her one of his rare, genuine smiles, reserved especially for her.
She smiled and stood up, placing a hand on his shoulder as she left. "Thanks. And I mean it. Quit screwing around and find yourself a decent woman."
Luka watched her leave, tightening her coat around her hunched shoulders as she braved the cold outside. "I already did," he muttered, cursing himself yet again for letting her go.
