The Clash, Book One

Chapter 27: Pretty in Blue, Part C

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

Alena was pulled from her thoughts when Nick told her, "There you go. Tire's all changed now."

"Thank you...Nick," she replied, kicking herself that her memories almost had her calling him by the wrong name. Again.

Luckily, he didn't catch her slip and simply responded, "You're welcome, Alena. It was no problem," with a smile.

She smiled back at him. She then noticed that he was rubbing his hands together, seemingly trying to get the soot off them.

"Oh, let me help - I have some wipes," Alena offered before opening her car door. She reached into the console and grabbed the wet wipes.

He grabbed a few from the pack and wiped his hands. He then threw the wipes in a nearby trash can.

He then spoke, "Thanks for the wipes." He paused before he commented, "I have to admit I'm a little surprised that you had some on hand."

"Comes with the territory of taking care of two three-year-olds," Alena thought. She then shrugged and responded, "Well, I guess I tend to be a bit messy. Which I'm sure you remember from our coffee and donut dat...uh, outing."

"Great save," she sarcastically muttered to herself. Nick had to have noticed, but he didn't bring it up.

He instead joked, "I'm not sure I'm really much better," with a chuckle. Alena found herself chuckling as well.

Knowing that she needed to cut this short, she then told him, "I'm meeting a friend at Roni's," motioning to the bar behind them, "so I'm gonna go."

"I'm actually meeting someone at Roni's, too," Nick told her, making Alena internally groan. He then offered, "We could walk together if you want."

Alena decided that her best option was nonchalance. She shrugged as she spoke, "Well, we are going to the same place after all."

He nodded before the two of them walked the few feet toward the door. Nick held it open for Alena before he walked in behind her.

Just then, her phone started ringing. She looked at the caller ID before she told him, "It's work - I've got to take this."

"Yeah, of course. I see the person I'm meeting with, so I'm just gonna head over there."

Alena nodded before he walked across the bar. She then answered the call.

"Yes, Ivy? What can I do for you?"

"I'm just checking in on you. I'm making sure you don't get distracted on your errands," she replied.

Alena rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "Don't you have things to do? Like, oh, I don't know, running the company?"

She could hear Ivy huff before she took a breath and stated, "Part of running the company is making sure that all employees are doing their part."

"And what makes you think I'm not?" Alena challenged.

"No need to get defensive - unless you actually aren't doing your job, of course. Like I said, this is only a check in - I'm doing the same for all employees," Ivy replied, a hint of smugness and condescension in her tone.

Alena took a calming breath as she considered the fact that she needed to stop letting her temper get the better of her.

She then spoke, "Of course, Ivy. As soon as I finish my lunch break, I'll check in on those last two sites, write up my reports, and research that anonymous buyer."