“Hi,” Maggie chirps with a wide smile.
A smirk pulls my lips up when the man’s eyes freeze onmy hand’s placement. When he looks back up, I narrow my eyes and clear any positive expression from my features.
He clears his throat and stands up. “Good talking to you, Maggie. Have fun on your trip.”
“Thank you! Good luck with your meeting!”
I squeeze her thigh, and she shifts in her seat to face me more fully.
With a laugh, she says, “Very subtle.”
“Don’t really care for subtly,” is my response.
She lays her head on my shoulder, and her hand goes to the back of mine, where it still rests on her thigh.
With a sigh, she says, “I can’t wait to get to wherever we are going. And enjoy some time away from everything, just the two of us.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Me too, beautiful. Me too.”
It won’t be just the two of us for the whole time, but I don’t think she’ll complain. I sit back in my chair and run through the plan a few more times in my head to ensure I’m as prepared as I need to be.
We land in Tampa without incident. Once we secure the rental car and are on the road, Maggie’s vibrating with excitement. “You sure you can’t tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope,” I reply simply with a smirk.
She pouts as she stares out the window. “What if I hate surprises?”
That’s actually something I never considered, but I think even if she really does, this one is worth it. I chance a quick glance at her as I enter the freeway. “Do you really hate surprises?”
“I mean, no. I love them, actually. But I do hate waiting!”
With a laugh, I squeeze her thigh. “Then this will be good for you. Teach you some patience. Sometimes, not getting instant gratification is good for you.”
Rolling her eyes, she huffs out a laugh. “Fine. You win. I’ll just let anticipation fester.”
We settle into a comfortable silence as she plays on her phone, and my thoughts wander to the day ahead, the dark SUV a few cars back a constant reminder of what’s at stake. I’ve been on many dangerous missions, but the possibility of anything happening today strikes a fear so bone deep, I worry it may leave a permanent mark.
When I see the sign for Jacksonville I’ve been looking for, I say, “Only about thirty more minutes.”
She looks up and takes in our surroundings. With an expression of befuddlement, she glances back in my direction. “I’m officially so confused. I thought I had it figured out, but I’m truly stumped as to where we are going.”
“You’ll know soon enough.”
My stomach is in knots. I need this to go the way I’ve been hoping it will. I want this to be the most positive experience for Maggie. I can’t stand the thought of this memory being anything but the best.
By the time I’m pulling into the parking lot, sweat dots my spine despite the air conditioning blasting through the car. I pull into the parking spot and notice an SUV pulling in a few spaces down from us.
“Ian?” Maggie’s eyes are darting around, taking in the nondescript office building before us.
I capture her hand and place a soft kiss on the back. “Do you trust me?”
Without hesitation, she replies, “Of course.”
Forcing a smile, I say, “Alright, let’s go.”
We climb out, and I take her hand as we cross to the front door. By the time we get to the third floor, my heart is racing. I lead her down the hall and stop at the door of the conference room that has Maggie’s surprise inside.
I turn Maggie toward me and gently cup her cheeks, searching her questioning expression before lowering my lips to hers. The kiss is filled with emotions that I’d have a hard time vocalizing, so I’m grateful the action can communicate them for me. When I finally pull back, her features are even more confused.
