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(LII.) - Part Two

"My name's not Storm," he grumbled out. He took the stool beside her. The blue hood jacket he was wearing today aided his hair to hide part of his face. "Made your order yet?"

"Why do you care?" she snapped.

"Hmph. Anyway, you better get a table. It ain't good to eat at the coun—"

"I know that, Allen." She refused to look at him, eyes fixed straight and forward.

"Still mad at me, huh."

"Thanks for stating the obvious. I'd want to know what you're doing here, but I guess you'd say, 'don't ask questions'. Am I right?"

"That was a question, but I'm gonna answer it. Yes, you're right."

"But I really want to know...." She angled her body towards him, still not looking at him. "What the hell are you actually doing in Miami?"

"Can't a guy and his family move into a place without ulterior motives?" He sighed and rubbed his forehead with fingertips. "I guess you've been watching too many dark movies. It's not healthy, you know. Especially if you believe everything you see."

"Go away, Allen." Her frown instantly disappeared when she saw the old lady return with a steaming bowl of pork chops and another bowl of salad.

"The puddings will be ready soon," the woman said, setting the food and drink on the counter. "I'll go get the paillard."

"How long are they gonna take?"

"Give twenty, twenty-five minutes and your babies will be ready." Her eyes shifted to Allen. "Ah, young man, how may I help you?"

"Do you still have those steak from caribou, bear, elk?"

The elderly lady's silvery brows rose high. "They come at a tough price, young man. This ain't the place for such kind of meat."

"I know," he began patiently. "But last time I was here, you guys had the caribou and elk. Just want to know if you still have them."

She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but we ain't got nothing."

"You do."

Jess faced him with a scowl. "Allen, you just heard the woman. They don't have it. What's your problem?"

She looked between them with wide, surprised eyes. "You two know each other?"

"Not that much," Jess bit out the same time he murmured, "I think."

She stared at them much longer, Jess particularly. "Well... But, um, the steak is reserved for a special guest."

"Who is Mr Donnelly," he cut in. "I'm Mr Donnelly's son, though we don't share the same surname."

The woman looked at Jess for proof. "Is he?"

"Yeah," she drawled.

"Fine then. I'm getting your steak ready." She disappeared back in the kitchen or back room or wherever the hell they made the food.

Jess took her food, slid off the stool, and went to a table. She didn't expect Allen not to join her. It seemed he'd set aside today to be a pain in her ass. He came over a minute later. They sat at opposite ends.

Silence weighed upon them heavily. Jess didn't mind the weight. She'd take it over having an idle conversation with the boy sitting with her. She couldn't believe that some years back,  they'd been inseparable best friends who told each other everything. Now, he constantly pushed her away and treated her with two-sided friendliness. He was both weird and infuriating right now.