Chapter Text
Amanda never thought she’d come back to The Claw after everything had gone down with Ace and her father, but she didn’t know who else to ask about a supernatural mystery. Packing up her and Gil’s lives from Horseshoe Bay had just become a bit more complicated. It had been several months since she had last seen Ace or any of his friends, but she had a feeling asking them for help was going to be one of the most uncomfortable moments of her life.
If only to delay the inevitable she thought a walk along the beach next to the restaurant would help her find the words she would need to face her ex-boyfriend. It was the perfect summer’s day for a walk along the beach, and she was surprised to find it mostly empty. She was able to enjoy the salty breeze a bit. Staring out along the horizon, watching the waves was mesmerizing and she could feel the worry starting to melt away. It was the distinctly female laughter and Ace’s name that knocked her out of her trance.
“Ace, come on, our lunch break isn’t long enough for a picnic.”
“Nance, I don’t think we can pass up this perfect picnic weather. I’m sure George will forgive us if we are a little late.”
“I’m going to blame you when she inevitably yells at me, just so you know since she never seems to get mad at you.”
Amanda watched as the couple shared a kiss, Ace picking up the red-head and spinning her before he laid out a blanket on the beach along with what she assumed was a picnic lunch. Everything seemed so natural between the pair, she shouldn’t have been surprised. She remembered the day she had asked Ace if there had ever been anything between them and he had been adamant that they had only ever been friends. She guessed asking them for help would be even more uncomfortable than she had initially thought.
In an effort to avoid their happiness for a bit more she headed for The Claw. Maybe Bess or George could help her out without Ace and Nancy ever having to know she was here. She didn’t think she was that lucky, but she could at least try.
“Amanda. Wow, welcome back to The Claw. How are you?” Bess asked as she walked through the door to restaurant. She was surprised for the second time when she noticed how busy they were; when she had been dating Ace the place had always seemed empty.
“Um, I’m doing okay. I’m packing up all of mine and Gil’s stuff. He managed to find our mom, so we thought it might be time for a fresh start somewhere else,” she replied as she followed Bess to an open booth.
“A fresh start is always a good idea. It is good to see you.”
“I can see a lot has changed since I left.”
“There were quite a few close calls there for a while, but things have been really great lately.”
“Um, I saw Ace and Nancy out on the beach. I mean I knew I sensed a vibe between them…”
“Everyone knew it was inevitable honey,” George said as she passed by the table with a few plates.
“I guess I never thought anything would ever come of it with how adamant Ace was that they were only friends.”
Amanda noticed a strange look pass between Bess and George before Bess decided it was okay to share something.
“Those close calls I mentioned, well, one of them was Ace. More than one I guess if you count being stuck in a liminal space. The experience really changed all of us, but those two, I can’t really explain it. You saw how they were before, and now let’s just say they realize how precious life is and they don’t plan to waste any of it. Are you okay? I mean I know you and Ace didn’t end things on the best of terms.”
“I have to admit it hurt a little to see them together. And how comfortable they are with each other, it never seemed that easy for the two us. And if I’m honest I was really happy in Spain without him, so maybe we were never meant to last. It is all very strange.”
“I can only imagine. Even though he’s my Platanchor, I don’t have to tell him you were here if you want to leave things as they were.”
“I actually came to ask you guys for help with something I found in one of Gil’s hidey-holes. This will probably just make things a bit more awkward that I expected.”
“Well, we are currently mystery free, so I’m sure whatever you need we’ll be more than happy to help with.”
“Even Ace and Nancy?”
“Oh yeah, trust me, it will be no problem. We are pros at working with exes at this point.”
“Well, if you guys don’t mind me keeping the table for a while. I can wait to tell you when they decide to return from their beach date.”
“What do you mean beach date? They are on the clock.” George yelled.
“It looked and sounded like they were having a picnic on the beach.”
“I’m gonna kill them both,” George said, before leaving to find her two wayward employees.