“Being nosy, are you?” I goad her.
“If after all these years you don’t know I would absolutely stop here if it’s within a one-minute detour,” she says, beaming, “then boss, you definitely don’t know me well enough.”
I chuckle. “Well, all I’ll say is… it went really well. I’ve prayed about it. I have peace. And by tomorrow, I’ll have a little more to share.”
“That’s it?” she says, looking deeply offended on behalf of her own curiosity.
I shrug. “That’s all you’re getting for now.”
She waves me off dramatically. “Come on, boss. Why you gotta do me like that?”
I laugh. “You’re supposed to beofftoday. Go relax. Rest. Tomorrow I’ll give you more updates.”
“Pfff.” She grabs her keys and heads toward the door. “You better have more to say tomorrow, young man!” she calls over her shoulder.
I shake my head, smiling as I slip on my shoes, ready to head to church.
The anticipation of the day hums quietly under everything else as I take the elevator down and get into the car. I have peace, yes. But excitement too. And nerves.
Because later today… I’m planning to have a conversation with Lizzie that could change the course of our lives.
Or at the very least, the course of the next two weeks.
After I’ve parked my car, I head up the steps of the church. The air is warmer today, significantly so, and I silently note that it’s ideal for my plans later.
As soon as I walk inside, the smell of fresh coffee hits me, instantly making my mouth water. Sunlight streams through the windows, filling the room and catching on the smiles and conversations of people milling about.
With the smell of coffee teasing me, I decide it’s time for my second cup of the day.
I make my way toward the coffee bar when I spot Gabby—Lizzie’s sister.
I glance across the room and see Lizzie on the far side, and suddenly an idea clicks into place so quickly I know I have to act on it now before she notices anything.
I walk up to Gabby and tap her on the shoulder.
She turns, confusion already forming when she sees my very serious expression.
“Nate. What’s up?”
“Gabby,” I say quietly, “this is going to sound sudden, but I think Lizzie might come over here any second and I need your help.”
Her brows knit together.
“Your dad invited me over for lunch later today. But there’s going to be a moment when I’ll need you to distract Lizzie for about ten minutes. I’ve got a surprise planned, but I’ll need time. I’ll give you a signal — probably a nod.”
Her face shifts instantly from confusion to absolute delight, like she’s just been handed the best secret assignment imaginable.
“Consider me Robin to your Batman,” she beams before slipping back into conversation with her friends, clearly thrilled with her new role.
I return to the coffee bar, anticipation rising within me, waking my veins far more than coffee could at this moment.
I’m not exactly afraid.
But the nerves are definitely there now.
Will Lizzie like my surprise?
This isn’t just a surprise. It’s a step. And steps mean direction.
