“You said I could get what I wanted.”
“And I stand by that, but we’re about to ruin a poor cashier’s day.”
Piper only shrugged and tried to make it out of the aisle. She stumbled with her pile of books, and I took some from her, still sticking close.
After I paid, we stacked everything in the back seat before she turned to me with bright eyes. “Can we go to the hotel now?”
“Have big plans or something?”
“I’ve never stayed in a hotel, so I’m excited. I’ve only seen pictures.”
“It may not be as fun as you think.”
“But it’ll be new, and that’s fun to me.”
“Fair enough. I think it should be ready now, so let’s check in and then get dinner.”
“Will you keep guard like you did today?”
“Always, love.”
Piper stepped close and hooked her hands behind my neck. “I love it when you call me that, you know.”
“I know,” I replied, running a hand over her warm cheek. “You blush every time I say it.”
35
PIPER
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Kerry Winsor:Tommy came in THIRD at my church’s race! What a fast boy!
Comments:
Mollie Wilson:And how many were in the race?
Kerry Winsor:MOLLIE! It doesn’t matter! He came in third!
Mollie Wilson:Say how many were in the race, Kerry.
Kerry Winsor:. . . three.
A mixtureof fear and excitement made my fingers tingle as we pulled up to the hotel. I never thought I’d be able to go to a busy bookstore in Nashville, much less stay in a hotel with myboyfriend.
So much of my life now felt like a dream. Even though I still felt fear, I was able to fight it and move on with my life.
But I wasn’t allowing it behind the wheel anymore. It didn’t control every choice I made.
The hotel Theo picked was simple, and only a few cars littered the parking lot. Still, I bounced on the balls of my feet as we checked in. The room had one bed and a simple desk in the corner.
“So this is a hotel.”
“A basic one. We’ll try to stay somewhere nicer next time.”
I loved it when he mentioned that there would be a next time. He’d warned me that things could change at any point, but sometimes, it felt like he wanted forever too.
I wanted to believe it was possible.
