CHAPTER 14
Lex was driving a little fast for Chloe's comfort, but she tried to keep her mind off it. She had stopped home, changed into some different clothes, and graciously accepted a lunch proposal generously offered by Lex. She looked down at the ripped hole in the side of her sneaker and wondered if maybe she shouldn't have paired a black t-shirt with her jeans, as if wearing black would call upon some Grim Reaper of sorts. Not that Chloe was superstitious, but God knows she'd seen weirder things happen. She brushed the insecurity off. While she certainly didn't want to be calling on any demons of death, she felt no reason to wear bright, cheerful colors when she felt anything but bright and cheerful after their little hospital excursion.
"Do you want to give me a hint where you're taking me?" Chloe watched the cows in passing through the passenger seat window, squinting behind her dark sunglasses.
"Guess." Lex smirked.
"Let's see…maybe Al's Steak and Fries? That seems right up your alley. Or maybe the Chat and Chew diner? Nothing like a small-town greasy spoon to dirty up a pair of professionally tailored slacks. Or are you just taking me to the Talon, to reminisce over good old times?" Chloe's laughter died as she watched Lex suddenly tense up. "You're not really taking me to the Talon, are you?"
"I just need to sign over a few papers. Since Lana left, there's no real reason for me to hold onto the business."
Chloe's face fell at the mention of her former housemate, roommate, and pseudo-friend. "Lovely." She drawled sarcastically.
Lex glanced over at Chloe, taking note of the attitude change and immediately understanding its cause. "Fortunately, I've found a family willing to keep the coffee shop without making too many extreme changes, which will help me avoid potential…emotional conflicts with the former co-owner. Whom I don't plan to be seeing any time soon."
Chloe grinned. She knew he was putting on a show for her, but that wasn't to say she didn't appreciate it. "Fine, let's just make it quick. After how many years of suffering mucked up orders for the sake of loyalty, I'd think we finally deserve a decent cup of coffee."