Star Wars - Kenobi

Veeka said, knocking the holo-emitter out of the way and sliding into the backseat of the landspeeder. “I’ll be ready.”
    She seemed sober enough, Orrin thought. Well, he couldn’t worry about rehabilitating his family now. There’d be a chance for that—after.
    He strapped on his blaster and climbed into the passenger seat. The engine started, and the landspeeder moved back into the crowded streets of Mos Eisley. “Set the windshield to opaque,” he said. “I don’t want to run into Annie today.”

CHAPTER THIRTY
    ANNILEEN FOUND THE CAFé again easily. She and Dannar had discovered it years earlier, just paces from the Twin Shadows Inn and up the street from the building from which the Twi’leks had emerged. Ben didn’t resist when Annileen took him by the hand, leading him past the crowd and inside.
    “Thank you,” he said in the lobby, exhaling. “I owe you a life debt.”
    “You sure hate crowds,” she said, walking the stairs up to the upper level.
    “When Ithorians dance, it’s best to get off the floor.”
    The master of the house greeted them warmly. Annileen had always enjoyed Café Tatoo II, including it on her solo trips to the spaceport. The kindly old man led her to the awning-shaded balcony, overlooking the plaza. Ben chose a chair at a table away from other diners. She sat across from Ben, ordered the lunch special for them both, and clasped her hands together, ready to study her subject. She had been waiting forever for another chance to talk to him alone. Now she couldn’t figure out which question to ask first—if Ben would let her.
    He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “The clerk at the repair shop did say five hours, no?”
    “Five hours,” she said. “Take your hood off. You’re in a civilized place now.”
    Ben complied.
    “I was worried when you didn’t come back to the store,” she said. “It’s been a long time.”
    “Ah. Yes, I’ve been busy,” he said, raising his glass to drink.
    “With?”
    “Things.”
    “Things,” she said, unbelieving. It was amazing how the man could use something as small as a cup to hide behind.
    Seemingly sensing her frustration, he set the drink down and grinned. “You’ve seen the grounds of my palace. I’m still working through the junk that might be toxic.”
    Annileen nodded. “I was afraid we’d scared you off. With Kallie snooping around, telling everyone your last name.”
    “Most people have one,” Ben said. “Why shouldn’t I?”
    Annileen put her elbows on the table and leaned over toward him. “I was also worried that maybe Orrin had scared you off,” she said in a quieter voice.
    “Oh, no.” Ben sat casually back in his chair, putting some distance between them. “I like Orrin. And … he seems to like you.”
    “This week,” Annileen said. “Usually, that means he wants something.”
    “The landspeeder’s a nice gesture. Perhaps he’s in earnest.”
    Annileen sat up straight, regarding him skeptically. “Really.”
    Ben shifted again, tracing his finger around the circumference of his glass. “You know, I don’t know much about these things. But sometimes people’s attitudes can change over the years. They can get closer.” He smiled at her, awkwardly.
    “Unh-huh.” Annileen reached for her glass and drank; now she was the one hiding her expression. Inwardly, she was amused to no end. She didn’t know if Ben was trying to palm her off on Orrin or not, but he had just revealed some truth. He might stop runaway dewbacks and talk to Tuskens, but Ben Kenobi was on completely foreign territory when it came to discussing matters of the heart.
    A rickety server droid approached from behind Ben, saving him from further embarrassment. Annileen recognized the mechanical. “Hi, Geegee.”
    The bipedal violet-colored droid set down the food and bowed. “It is nice of you to remember, madam.” The droid was an ancient model; its hands quivered slightly as it placed the plates before the couple. “Good appetite to you, patrons.”
    Annileen smiled as the electronic waiter rattled away. “GG-8 served us when Dannar and I were here on our honeymoon,” she told Ben. “It was the first time a droid had ever brought me anything. I felt like the Queen of Alderaan.”
    Ben took fork in hand. “You could have a droid at the oasis, I’m sure?”
    “The farmhands don’t like to see them. They take away jobs on the range.”
    “Well, you seem kind to them,” he noted.
    “No reason not to