The waiter sets down Sam's wine glass and I'm halfway through telling her about the wedding where the groom's ex showed up in a white dress.
"She walked straight down the center aisle during the ceremony," I say, cutting into the crab cake. "Full veil. Bouquet. The works."
Sam's fork freezes midway to her mouth. "No."
"Security had to escort her out. I got three shots before they cleared the room." I take a bite, grinning. "Sold two of them to a tabloid the next week."
She laughs so hard she snorts, then immediately covers her face with both hands.
I set down my fork. "Do that again."
"Absolutely not." Her voice is muffled behind her palms.
"Come on. That was adorable."
She drops her hands. Her cheeks are bright pink now, and she avoids my eyes, taking a long, desperate sip of wine instead. I watch her swallow, a slow, helpless grin taking over my face.
I'm still grinning twenty minutes later when the check arrives.
***
The elevator ride back is quiet. Sam leans against the wall, arms crossed loosely, eyes half-closed. I watch the floor numbers climb.
When we reach the room, I toss my jacket over the chair and head toward my duffel to grab my shower stuff. I'm digging through clean shirts when I turn around and see it.
A piece of hotel notepad paper. Taped to the bathroom door.
I walk closer.
BATHROOM SCHEDULE:
9:00-9:10 PM: Tom
9:15-9:25 PM: Sam
Designated "bathroom access windows" for morning (TBD)
I read it twice. Blink. Read it again.
"You made a shower schedule?"
Sam looks up from her suitcase, completely serious. "We need a system. Otherwise, it's chaos."
"Sam." I turn to face her fully. "It's a bathroom. Not a production timeline."
"Exactly. Which is why we need structure."
I can't help it. I grin. "This is the most you thing I've ever seen."
"Just stick to your time slot."
I grab my towel off the bed. "Oh, I'm definitely not sticking to my time slot."
***
I take my time. The water's hot and I'm halfway through rinsing shampoo when there's a knock on the door.
"Ten minutes are up!" Sam's voice cuts through the sound of the spray.
