Page 73 of Protecting Kelli
“Is the food good at Aces? I’m not trying to be rude by asking, it’s just that some bars have great drinks but crappy food. Like it’s all frozen and they just throw it in a fryer.”
“I know what you mean. And Aces has excellent food. Jessyka has done a great job in making sure her establishment is safe for women—and men, for that matter—and that it has a welcoming atmosphere, good food, and a wide assortment of drinks.”
Flash pulled into the parking lot of the bar. He tried to see it from the eyes of someone who’d never been there before. It appeared somewhat run-down. It didn’t have any flashing lights, it wasn’t modern-looking, but it was like a lot of things in life…it was the inside that mattered.
After parking, Flash got out and met Kelli at the front of his SUV. He took her hand in his and smiled down ather. “It doesn’t look that great from the outside, but trust me, it’s a hidden jewel for sure.”
“Of course I trust you,” Kelli said, as if it was a given. She gave him a crooked smile. “Did you notice that the S in the Aces sign is out? I could fix that…I mean, after I learn how in my classes.”
Flash chuckled. “That you could,” he agreed. He opened the door and when they walked in, he heard several people call out his name in greeting.
Kelli giggled from next to him.
“What?” he asked, leading her toward the bar, where Jessyka was beaming at them.
“It’s just…walking in with everyone saying your name reminded me of that old show,Cheers. Remember? Everyone would yell ‘Norm!’ when that one guy entered.”
Flash knew exactly what she was talking about, and he supposed Aces was kind of like the bar Cheers.
“It’s about time you brought her here!” Jessyka admonished when they got close. “Hi, Kelli! It’s so good to see you again. How’re you doing? After the break-in, I mean. Did the police find out who it was? Did they catch him?”
“Breathe, Jess,” Flash told her with a grin.
“Sorry. I tend to talk fast because it’s a given that someone will need me and if I don’t get all my questions out quickly, I’ll forget what I wanted to ask when I have to step away to deal with something else.”
“It’s good to see you too,” Kelli said happily. “And I’m good. Flash doesn’t think it’s smart to go back to either of our apartments yet, and Smiley’s been so generous in letting us use his place. And yes, the police ran the prints they found on the container of bacon the person handledwhen they broke in…and it’s exactly who Flash and his friends thought. The guy from Jamaica.”
“Holy crap! Really? And he went to your apartment? Why?”
“Money. Revenge,” Flash guessed, already wanting to change the subject. He’d brought Kelli out to try to relieve some of the stress from everything going on, not rehash the details. “Benny has kid duty tonight?” he asked.
Jessyka beamed. “Yup. He said he was going to have a karaoke night. Trust me, I’m glad I’m missing that. I love my children, but they can’t carry a tune to save their lives. What can I get you two?”
“I’ll take whatever’s on tap,” Flash said.
“I think I’ll have a rum and Coke,” Kelli told her.
“Coming right up. You want to sit here at the bar or at a table?”
“Table,” Flash said.
“Sure thing. I’ll bring your drinks out when they’re ready. Here, take a menu with you. I’ll take your order when I swing by.”
Flash took two menus from a stack on the bar and put his hand on the small of Kelli’s back, leading her away from the hubbub of the bar, and also away from the pool tables on the opposite side of the room.
They sat, and Kelli said, “I like it. This place feels…homey.”
“Jess and Benny have worked hard to make customers feel safe and comfortable.”
“Well, they’ve succeeded. It’s wonderful.”
By the time Jessyka arrived at their table with drinks, they were ready to order.
“I think I’ll have the Santa Fe burger with fries, please.”
“Oh, good choice. We make the guacamole in-house and that chipotle mayo is so addicting. Flash? What are you having?” Jessyka asked.
“I think the hickory burger. I haven’t had that in a while and I’m craving your barbeque sauce. I don’t know what you put in it, but I swear it’s of the not-quite-legal variety.”
