in a renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse showcasing exposed maroon bricks, metal beamed ceilings, original wide-planked wooden flooring with deeply weathered grooves. The structure appealed to him on a professional level. Add in old-fashioned gas lamps updated with electricity, crisp ivory linen tablecloths, pots of fresh herbs and private high-backed booths and it was charmingly romantic.
The college-aged male waiter recited the lunch specials, warning them the kitchen was about to close. After ordering, Billy noticed Eden’s fingers nervously plucking the tablecloth.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just weird, us having lunch together.”
“Because we’re in public?” Anyone strolling by had to look damn hard to see them, as they’d chosen a secluded booth away from the kitchen and the front door.
“No. Because when we were younger neither of us had enough money to eat someplace this nice. And we’d rather have been…”
Billy twined her fidgety fingers through his. “We’d rather have been making out like crazy, all hot mouths, frenzied hands and unfulfilled aches.”
Color rose on her cheekbones. “Like last night?”
“Regrets?”
“None. Except for me falling asleep. I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be. I told you. Last night was for you.” He grinned. “I’m not worried. I’ll get mine.”
Eden grinned back, a bit smugly, in his opinion. “Sooner than you might think.” She deflected his next question by pointing to his briefcase. “Is this a business lunch?”
“No. But it’d appear that way to anyone who might see us eating together.”
“Good thinking.” She settled into the cushioned leather backrest. “So, with all the stuff going on at the center, you haven’t told me about your fabulous life in Chicago.”
Fabulous. What a laugh. “What do you want to know?”
“The usual. Do you go to Bulls games? Do you walk along the waterfront?” She brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “Do you and your friends heckle the hapless Cubs? Or do you prefer fine dining when you’re out on the town?”
“Sometimes I do those things. I’ve also been known to wolf down a Chicago style pizza and a hot dog or two. But mostly, I work, so my social life is pretty pathetic. Plus, I’ve been in Canada for the last eighteen months working on an intensive restoration.”
“Eighteen months? Isn’t that a long time to be away from home?”
Funny, he’d never considered his condo home; he was so rarely there. He spent more time in his battered office chair than on his brand new living room couch. “I’m used to it. The majority of my projects are done in other cities.”
“Bet you’ve been some pretty cool places?”
“I guess. What about you?”
“Me? I’ve never ventured from here. Spearfish has always felt like home.” Frowning, she stirred her tea. “But now with the future of the community center up in the air, it’s a little scary wondering where I’ll end up.”
An awkward silence lingered until the waiter interrupted with their salads. Billy was determined to get the conversation back on personal ground. “I love the Black Hills. Now if I can only convince my baby sister Maggie to stick around here.”
Eden’s fork stopped midway to her mouth. “You have a sister who lives here?”
“Maggie lives in Rapid City. She signed on as a civilian computer programmer at Ellsworth Air Force Base a few months back. I hadn’t been able to visit her until the job in Calgary ended.”
“You planned on coming back to South Dakota before Jim called you?”
Here was the moment of truth. Billy fixed his gaze to hers so there’d be no misunderstanding. “Yes. Bob’s heart attack just speeded up the process. I’d intended to spend time in Spearfish long before that.”
“Did you know… Never mind. Don’t answer.”
“Yes. I knew you still lived here.”
She rooted around in her salad. “Why didn’t I know you had a sister?”
“Actually, I
William Gibson, Bruce Sterling