Me: Are you ready to leave?

Lilah: Who is this?

Me: You know who this is.

Lilah: Yep, the asshole I’m being forced to travel with.

Me: That’s right and this same asshole wants you to meet him in the lobby asap.

Lilah: I’ll see you down there in five.

Tucking my phone in my pants pocket, I grin at her sass. Working in this industry, she needs to have an attitude and thick skin to go with it.

I roam around the hotel room a final time, making sure nothing is being left behind. Everything looks good to go and I head out the door. I’m alone on the elevator ride down and it’s eerily quiet when I step into the lobby. This could have something to do with it only being eight a.m. on a Saturday. Most people are still enjoying dreamtime and I’m itching to get on the road. Well, in all honesty I don’t want to wait any longer to see Lilah. Last night she left the stadium before the final match, disappearing before I could tell her I was ready to drive her to the hotel.

Once I’d checked in and dropped my bag in my room, I headed down to the bar, hoping she’d be there nursing a beer. By some stroke of luck, she was. Unfortunately, my sister was with her and they seemed to be doing some female bonding. Lilah doesn’t usually hang out with others and I didn’t want to put an end to their fun by interrupting. Instead, I hung out with Wyatt and a few of the other guys. We put away quite a bit of alcohol and a good time was had by all. I’m sure Wyatt had a better night than me. I retired back to my hotel room alone and I saw him wandering off with some brunette with a bangin’ bod.

Moving over to the wide front entrance, I step outside and set my suitcase down on the sidewalk. Handing off my ticket to the valet, I stand there and take in the glow of the May morning. Golden sunlight reflects off the cars as they drive by, the rays bouncing from one vehicle to the next, sometimes shooting painful barbs of light my way. Groaning I slip my sunglasses down over my eyes. My whiskey addled body needs some food to recharge. Luckily, we’re only driving the short distance to D.C. today.

My head snaps to the side at the deep thump of Lilah’s suitcase landing on the pitted sidewalk next to me. She huffs out a breath, hands resting on her hips. “That sucker is heavy.”

“Good morning.”

“What’s good about it?” She scrunches up her nose.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad.” My eyes drink in her sloppily swept up hair, low cut, long sleeve t-shirt and fitted jeans. She looks good to me.

“Why can’t it?”

“The day is young.” The valet pulls up, parking curbside. "Let’s get on the road. I know the perfect place to take you. If you thought the food was good yesterday, this place will blow your mind.” As I follow her around to the passenger side, she throws a confused glare over her shoulder toward me. “Relax. I’m getting your door,” I inform, reaching for the handle. Her soft, fruity perfume flutters teasingly to my nose making me hungry for more than breakfast, but first things first. Once she’s seated I head around to the driver’s side where the valet patiently waits with my door open. I hand off two twenty-dollar bills. “Keep the change.”

“Dude, thank you.” He beams a smile between me and his tip and then back to me again as if this is the most amazing thing that’s ever happened in his short life. I remember what it was like to work for tips back in my college days. I’ll never forget the lean times I went through. I don’t want to become one of those arrogant assholes who forget the people who helped them get where they are.

The gray leather seat conforms to my body like a warm hug. Fastening my belt, I glance over at Lilah. “You set?”

“I am.”

“Okay, we’re off.” I pull out into the street and adjust the radio. “Should I sing On the Road Again?”

She snorts. “I think I got enough of that the first time around. What else you got in your repertoire?”

“More than you can handle, sweetheart.” I don’t look to see, but I’m pretty sure I can feel the eye roll she lets loose. “Why didn’t you wait for me last night?”

“I had an opportunity to leave early so I took it.”

“Gotcha. But you know I would have taken you back, right?”

“Jesse, why are you being weird about me grabbing a ride with one of the guys?”

“Guys?” I growl.

“Oh brother. Don’t get all macho and possessive on me. You and I are stuck together for work and no other reason. This,” she waves her hand around the inside of the car, “you and me spending time together, is an assignment; not a date.” She crosses her arms over her chest and rests her head back on the seat.

“What if I want it to be more than us working together?”

“Jesse, we’ve discussed the no fraternization policy of WCW numerous times. Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea. I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself, but I’m not comfortable breaking the rules. And if that changes, you’ll be the first to know.”

“So, you admit being romantically involved with me would be pleasurable?”

“Way to twist my words, Gunn.”

I laugh and rest my hand on her thigh. She tenses, and my eyes sweep over to meet her questioning ones before I focus on the road in front of us.

“What are you doing?”

“Driving.”

“Don’t you need both hands for that?”

“I don’t need any hands to drive,” I boast, releasing my hold on the wheel. I use the top of my thigh against the bottom of the wheel to steer for the next few seconds.

“Okay, okay, I believe you. Now can you please return your hands to the wheel? I value my life.”

Squeezing her thigh, I communicate only one hand will be steering us. The other is content with where it’s at. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“There’s adventure and there’s stupidity.”

“I think you’re overreacting. We were perfectly safe. I’m an excellent driver with all my limbs.”

“How much longer until we reach this place with the amazing food you promised me?”

“Why? Are you hungry?”

“No, I’m just tired of being in the car with you,” she quips.

“Good thing we’re here, then.” I pull into a parking space and shut off the engine. “Are you ready for the breakfast of your life?”

We both climb out of the rental. She stretches her arms above her head looking more like a tired college student than a twenty-five-year-old woman. “Sure. As long as it’s not the last breakfast of my life.” She smirks, passing in front of me as we walk toward the entrance. I watch her sassy little ass all the way to the door.

“You’ve eaten here before?” she questions, while her eyes peruse the large menu in her hands.

“Yep. I have.”

“When?”

“I try to come here whenever we’re in town.”

“How did you find this place?”

“Greasy spoons are kinda my thing. Ronnie was dating a guy in this area and we all came here after a show one night. The food was and is incredible. I try to make it back whenever I can.”

“You like to eat that much?”

“I love to eat, but I don’t usually indulge more than once or twice a week. If this is one of those times, all the better. Nobody makes an omelet like they do.”

Once we’ve placed our orders, mine just as impressive as the day before, we settle into some easy conversation.

“What did you decide to do about Keith?” I inquire. I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be to this question.

“I haven’t decided anything. There’s no rush.”

“Doesn’t that seem like a weird attitude to have if you really care about someone?”

“How so?”

“If you loved this guy enough to move don’t you think you’d have already made your decision?”

“Sometimes it’s not only about love. Besides, there are different ways to love people.”

“I know there are, but the kind of love that involves someone moving hundreds of miles away to be with them has to be pretty strong.”

She rolls her lips inward and her eyebrows move toward one another as she takes in what I’ve said. The clock is ticking down to her decision and I’m not sure why I have a bad feeling about it.

* * *

“We have a few hours to spare. Can I take you someplace?” I ask as we buckle up our seat belts.

She purses her lips as if she’s contemplating some life changing decision.

“Well?” I prompt.

“Sure, why not? It’s not like I have anything else to do.” She snipes.

“If you’d prefer checking into the new hotel, we can do that, but we’re in D.C. and one of my favorite places happens to be here. I’d like to show you.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be bitchy to you. I’m just tired and annoyed with most things right now.”

“I’m a good listener if you want to tell me.” Keeping both hands on the wheel, I navigate through the increasing traffic. The later it gets in the day, the worse it’ll be.

“It’s nothing important. Just some decisions I have to make.” She shrugs. “Adult stuff.” I can’t help but wonder if she’s thinking about Keith and if she is, would she really be willing to move to North Carolina? I fucking hope not.

“Tell me what you do for fun when we’re not on the road.”

“Well... I like to read and do yoga.” She plucks at the hem of her shirt.

“What else? There’s got to be more you like to do.”

“I belly dance.”

What?

It takes me a moment to form a coherent reply. My mind was too busy picturing her hips captivatingly rolling and swaying. I clear my throat before I speak. “Where do you do this?” Wherever it is, I want to be there.

“I take classes with my friend, Carly. We’ve been going for two years now. We’re pretty good if I do say so myself.” She smiles.

“I bet you are. When do I get to see a demonstration? Until I see your skills, I’m not sure I can believe you.”

“When you say demonstration, you mean a private showing, right?” She quirks her eyebrow.

“Hey, I’ll take what I can get, but I’d never turn down a private anything from you.”

“I’m gonna be in a show in a couple of months. I’ll let you know when and if you want to check it out you can.”

“Oh, I’ll be there. Can I reserve a front row seat now?”