A smile spread across Kalliopi’s face.
“So, we get to finish our date?I kind of like that idea.”
“I like the idea, too.”
“Okay, it’s settled.Let’s head on over to the town square now.We can get a bite to eat and watch the tree lighting ceremony after that.”
“I haven’t been to a tree lighting ceremony since I was a little kid,” Kalliopi said as she gazed out the car window.“It was the one tradition my family had that remained a constant through all the moving we did.I actually enjoyed it.”
Stan wrapped an arm around her shoulder.“You know, Kouris, if I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you love Christmas almost as much as I do.”
“I think the company has a lot to do with it,” she said with a wink.Stan opened the passenger car door for her, and she hopped in.
Stan walked over to the driver’s side, and the engine purred to life when he turned the key.The ride was brief.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat at the local bar and restaurant.It’ll give the town some time to set up all the booths for tonight on campus.We can order an appetizer now, and after the tree lighting ceremony, we can eat some great stuff from all the food trucks.”
“I love food truck food!It’s like the best thing in the world!Okay, I do like fried food at the local fall fairs, too, to be honest.”
“You are a girl after my own heart, and I think you secretly like Christmas.You just don’t want to admit it to yourself.”
Kalliopi smiled.It was true.The more time she spent with Stan, the happier she was.And she could say it was the company all she wanted, but if she was being honest with herself, she’d have to admit that all the old feelings of family and tradition were warming her heart again.It was almost as if she were home, like Stan was her home.
Her phone buzzed.It was Jewel.
I got your message, and everyone is safe and in their dorm rooms.
Good.Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.
Can we go out for a cup of coffee?We can go to the cafe so that we are still on campus.
Sure.Everything okay?
Yeah.No.Well, maybe?Dad’s dating again, and even though I want him happy, I can’t help but worry.
Okay.We will chat tomorrow then around 10—sound good?
10 is perfect.
“Everything okay?”Stan asked.
“Oh yeah.Everything is okay.I had one of the RAs text me to let me know if everyone got back to the dorm safely.And they are all there.”
“That’s one less worry for today.I emailed Richard, and he agrees we should get some of the gang involved in infiltrating the lab near campus.Amira has already cleared her itinerary to fly back.But I also want to get a hold of Harriet’s parents.They were there for the first takedown with Harriet and Carol.Perhaps they can help us until Harriet and Carol clear their schedules to fly over here.I wish we could go in tonight because we’ll have the element of surprise.But I think we need a good plan first before we make the attempt to take Zagan down.He’s slipped away so many times before, and I don’t want him slipping away again.”
“I agree.We will definitely need to plan this out.From what you and Richard told me in our collective email responses, he’s clever, but we’ll get him this time.I’m confident.”
The server came by with the check as they were finishing their soft drinks.Stan grabbed the bill before Kalliopi had the chance to.
“Hey!I was going to get that!You’ve done so much for me already.”
Stan just smiled as he handed the server his card.
“I’m a gentleman.I enjoy treating my dates.”
“Is that so?Well, I guess I’ll have to be quicker next time because I like to treat my dates, too.”
“Come on, let’s head over to Main Street so we can check out the tree lighting.”
