#anywhere

Another glare, then she orders the most expensive dessert

He orders the cheesecake and coffee. "Chelsea, I say that because I -know-. It's not easy for anyone to ask for help. And I've had to. It was hard, I..... It was hard."

"Yeah? did Chloe pull a thorn out of your paw?"

He laughs softly, like snowflake falling in silence. "She, ah, she may have done. And possibly vice versa."

"Well, normally I'd be happy for you both but I'm still pissed. Three days, and then , I think about spillinn the beans"

The lines in his forehead appear. "Chloe doesn't have any, ah, beans."

"I mean I'll tell my followers how she killed a horse" She finishes up her dessert with a smugg look "People who don't give a shit about some black guy shot in the street will wannt someone jailed for hurting a horse this day and age"

"She never killed any horse." He says with surity.

He knows he speaks the Gospel.

"Maybe you don't know your 'wiffey' as well as you thought" She finishes up

He sets his coffee aside. "She.... no, she never did."

"You just ttell yourself that. Better yet, ask her"

"I will. Do you think....." he puts down his cup.

"What?" She asks

"She'll tell me the truth." he says steadfastly.

"The old chloe would have lied to save her ass."

"My wife has not lied to me."

"Yeah, I'm done with the meal here so .. eiher drive me back to the plaza or get me a nother Uber"

"Let me get the check, and tell me what you'd prefer for transportation; I would be happy to take you."

August signals for the check.

The check is presented. The tip appreciaed

It's a heavy tip, so......

Paid, August rises and takes Chelsea's chair if she allows.

Chelsea is already out of her chair annd checking her make up

He waits for her, obedient.

"Let's go to the plaza" She says moving to the car

"Of course." He offers his arm and takes her to the car, which if needed he pays for the valet to bring 'round.

She doesn't take his arm, but allows him to openn the door to the car. She's relatively quiet on the way back

He pays for parking but does not expect an invitation. "Thank you for this evening." how long since anyone said that... for real?

"Thanks for the meal" she says "Three days" And walks off

leaving the car annd going to her room.

One might suspect she's still miffed and petty

And August goes home.