Chapter Text
“What’s this one?”
“Hamachi. It’s amberjack, try it.”
“What’s an amberjack?”
“Big ocean fish. Try it.”
Ava picked up the nigiri and took a tentative nibble. “Ish hard to bite.”
“You’re supposed to put the whole thing in your mouth at once. Have you never eaten sushi?”
“None that didn’t either rotate on a conveyor belt or arrive with the little plastic grass on the side.” She put the nigiri in her cheek to chew thoughtfully. “That’s really good.”
“See?”
She nodded, looking down at her plate. “Okay, what’s this one that looks like a tongue?”
“Tongue?” He leaned closer to look. “Oh. That’s the sea urchin. Uni.”
She picked it up, giving it a curious look. “Looks like a tongue.”
“You don't have to eat it.” He said, reaching for it. “Here, give it to me.”
“Split? We can Lady and the Tramp it.” She offered the other end, then realized he wasn't looking at her anymore. “Everything okay?”
“I'll be back in a minute.” He said, and got up from the table, scanning the restaurant. A table in the corner was watching them, he was sure of it.
Two men, the look of a business meeting. Eating miso soup, not sushi. Who would come to a sushi restaurant and only order miso soup? He moved to the bar, examining the drinks list. The server brought the table their check, which they paid on a credit card and left without looking up. 47 made his way back to his table.
“What was that?” Ava asked once he'd settled again.
“I don't-” he began to lie, then relented. “There was a table that kept watching us, I was concerned they were tracking us.”
“They're probably just horrified that you wanted me to eat sea urchin.” She offered the other half of the nigiri. “It tastes like the ocean smells.”
“More for me.” He took the piece from her.
“Why would someone be tracking us, anyway? We're not on a bank heist or something. Are we on a bank heist?”
“That reminds me… you haven't seen your friend Derek again, have you?”
“God, don't say his name or he might appear.” She sighed. “I haven't seen him again, but he keeps emailing me because he thinks I blocked his phone number.”
“You haven't blocked his email address?”
“I would but I'm kind of worried that if I do, he's going to show up on the porch again or something. I don't need that. Creeper emails I can handle.”
“If he does try something again…”
“You'll be the first to know.”
“Good.”
The server brought the check to the table. Ava reached for it, but 47 was faster. “Oh come on, my turn.”
“No.” He looked at the bill, adding it up silently to be sure it was correct.
“Just let me just see it.”
“No.” He passed it back to the server with a credit card.
“But I feel guilty.”
“No.”
“Fine. Thanks.”
“You're welcome.” He signed the slip and put the card away. “Ready?”
She stood and followed him out of the restaurant. “I saw that.”
“Saw what?”
“We're not being followed. You were checking behind us when we walked out.” She caught his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Relax. You're not at work.”
“Work?” He asked, glancing down at her.
“Or wherever you've been that made you so paranoid all the time.” She gave him a slight smile. “Please. For me?”
He nodded, trying to shake the strange feeling. First the string of local jobs, now this. Something felt off, and he had to believe it wasn't him - dull instincts were bad for business. “It's not that easy.”
“I know.” They stopped at the car, and she turned to look at him straight on. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that. I know better.”
He raised a hand to brush her hair back from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I can try though.”
“Thanks.” She smiled a bit, leaning into the touch, then reached for the car door to get in. “Let's get home.”
Once they'd driven off, the men who had been sitting at the corner table started their car to leave.