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Ta-da!

Toby’s grip on the wheel was tight enough to make his knuckles ache. “Pie first or quick change act?”

“Definitely the quick change. These things are killing me.” She watched the restaurant disappear in the periphery. “It’s the same hotel we had Thanksgiving dinner at.”

“Is the room nice?”

“It’s kind of cookie cutter, but it’s comfortable enough.”

“Great, great.”

“How strong are you, Toby?”

“Huh?” He darted a glance at her and then back to the road. “I used to lift some. Why?”

“Because it looks like you’re going to rip that wheel right off the steering column. Take a breath, man. I’m not going to bite.” She looked out at the traffic. ‘Probably not, anyway.’

He let out a huge breath and tried to loosen up. “Um…”

“Yeah, me either.”

“Huh?”

“This doesn’t happen to me.” She said, still staring at traffic. “Ever.”

“Same.”

“This is absolutely crazy.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Would it be too forward of me to say that I like you?”

“No.” He said, shifting in his seat. “I think that would be okay.”

She laughed. “It would be okay, would it? Good. I guess I’ll go ahead and say it then.”

“Be my guest.”

“Apparently, I already am.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“Meatloaf and baked potatoes?”

“Mm-hmm. Guess you’re right. You’re definitely my guest.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s okay with me. Is it okay with you?”

“Yeah.” She turned to look at him. “It’s definitely okay.”

“I hope my room isn’t too much of a mess.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. Better than living out of a suitcase.”

“I admire you.”

“You do?”

“Coming all this way? Living in a hotel room for two weeks? I’m too much of a homebody to do something like that. I like being comfortable. You know?”

“I was scared.”

“I would be, too, but you overcame it. That’s amazing.”

A rush of warmth poured over her. “Well, it’s not every day I get invited to be in a wedding.”

“Same here.”

“In fact, it basically never happens.” She looked at the stores, trees and traffic as they traveled. “Nothing ever happens.”

“Well, we get busy working and time just flies.”

She studied his unruly blonde curls, wanting to run her fingers through them. “That’s not how I want to live.”

“So, don’t.” He scoped out a spot in the turning lane. “It’s your life, Meri. Live however you want to live.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

He turned the wheel, hand over hand. “Well, it is and it isn’t.”

“That’s very Zen of you, Mr. Belzer.”

“Thank you, Ms. Blake.” He pulled into the hotel parking lot. “What I mean is, it’s simple to make a choice, but it’s not as simple to have to live with it. Depending on the choice you make, it can be easy or hard to call a do-over.”

“Hmm, defensive line, car mechanic, philosopher. Is there anything you can’t do, Toby?”

“Ha ha, there are plenty of things in that category.” He sought a parking spot close to the door. ‘Living without you is something I hope I won’t have to do.’

“Are you going to come in? It will take me a moment to change.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Well, I’m going to see your room. It’s only fair…”

‘Don’t argue with her. Just go.’ He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out into the brisk afternoon breeze. “I’m with you.”

‘How are you going to change with him in the room, genius?’ She unbuckled and slid out of the car. “It is so cold here.”

“Better get inside, then.” He offered her a hooked elbow. She wrapped her arm around his and walked closely to the front door. “Rotating door. I love these things.”

‘He’s such a little kid. He’s the biggest little kid I’ve ever met.’ She huddled closer to him as they entered the fast-moving quadrant. “Me, too.”

She led him to the elevators. The idea of jumping on him and kissing him madly after the doors closed occurred to her, but there were others in the car with them. She pulled her key card from her purse and opened her door.

“Here it is.” She waved. “Home away from home. Take a seat. I’ll be right with you.”

Toby looked around the room. It was as plain as she’d said, but it was certainly tidier than his. He found the stuffed chair beside the little closet and planted himself.

She flopped her suitcase onto the bed and dug around for something else to wear. A smile crept across her face as she found the item she’d packed, never expecting to actually get a chance to wear it. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

She found that reassuring. She didn’t want him to go. She didn’t want to be where he wasn’t.

As soon as she vanished into the bathroom with her bundle of clothes, he pulled his phone out.

I got your room cleaned up for you.

Thanks. What kind of pie should we bring?

Dad’s been craving pecan pie.

Okay. Thanks. Love you.

Love you too, dear.

“I’ll be out in a moment.” She called through the door.

“Okay, take your time.” He stuffed his phone back into his pocket.

“Did you ever read The Angel and The Elf?”

“I got some from the library a while back. I couldn’t really get into it.”

“Well, you’re not really the target audience, but you should read Angelica’s autobiography and try reading them again. It puts a whole different spin on the series.”

‘Bold of you to assume I can read.’ He clamped his hands on his knees, not knowing what else to do. “Yeah, I’ll have to try that. Thanks.”

A million pins pricked his spine as he heard the knob rattling. He didn’t know what to expect, but he knew it would be great. She had looked very rustic and comfy at Steve’s house on Friday.

She threw the door open for the big reveal and she did not disappoint.

She was wearing bright blue All-Stars with blue laces, form-fitting faded jeans and a Sentinels jersey just like the one he had on. “Ta-da!”