Jackson and I walk arm in arm down the quiet street. I love looking into all the restaurants and shops at night. Seeing tiny slices of the lives the people inside are leading as the light illuminates them like actors on a stage. It’s almost like watching fragments of movies as we walk by outside in the dark, cool night. This one is about a couple meeting in a bookstore. That one is about the cracks in a tense marriage showing over dinner. Over there is a show about an elderly couple out on a hot date at a pub. I make up the little stories in my head, smiling as I walk beside Jackson on the sidewalk, eager to see where this story goes.

“I’m so glad I found you. I couldn’t get a hold of you on Tinder and I couldn’t find you on Facebook. If you weren’t at the fair tonight, I had no idea how to get that ring back to you.” Jackson looks over at me. “Did you, um, delete your profile?” He watches my face as I think of a way to avoid the pointed question.

“Yes,” I answer simply, “it’s complicated.” I sigh.

For a few steps he says nothing. I can almost hear his thoughts churning in his mind. He probably thinks I’m weird or hiding something. I am hiding something.

“You’re not… are you married?” He seems to almost choke on the words.

“What? No! Why would you think that?” I’d laugh if I didn’t find the question so insulting. I know I don’t have a real history with love or dating, but if I did ever find the one, if I ever did commit to a man and promise to spend the rest of my life with him, there’s no way I would ever consider sneaking around on him.

“Well, it’s just that the ring looks like a wedding band”—he nods at my hand—“and you deleted your profile right after our date. I mean, it just made me think you might be… never mind.” He sounds exasperated.

I can’t blame him. He knows something is going on and I’m not exactly going out of my way to clear up the details for him.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” I reassure him. “It’s just that my employer doesn’t approve of the whole Facebook thing, so I deactivated it. That’s all.” I shrug and hope my vague answer is enough for him. I’d hate to ruin this short time I have with him. I’d hate to have tonight end on another bad note. I’m not really lying to him, but it’s not like I can just come out and confess my illegal status. That would be foolish and dangerous.

Jackson mulls over my words and then stops to a complete standstill. Oh no, he’s not happy with my lame excuse. I guess this is the end of the night after all.

“What’s wrong?” My voice squeaks as I wait for him to accuse me of lying, or even worse, being some kind of cheating wife.

“Wrong? Nothing, this is the coffee shop.” He jerks his thumb at the door of Julianna’s place. I was so lost in my worries I didn’t even notice.

“Oh, I come here all the time.” I light up and swing the door open, practically dancing inside. Behind the counter, wiping off the machinery, is Julianna. Her eyes grow wide when she sees me and she does a double take before checking the clock on the wall. She’s never seen me in here at night before. She’s never seen me in here at any other time than when I go for Sylvia’s daily ‘bitch special.’

“Ella! You’re out late.” She flips the cloth up over her shoulder and looks over at Jackson. “Oh, are you on a date?” Her eyes twinkle and my cheeks flush.

I flick my gaze at Jackson, not really sure what to call this. “Um, yeah, I think so,” I answer shyly.

She laughs and shakes her head. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m shutting down for the night. We close early on Sunday,” she explains. “But if you want, I can turn the espresso machine back on and make you guys a couple of drinks for the road.”

“No, that’s all right.” Jackson holds up his hand. Turning on his heel, he looks down at me. “I should probably get going soon anyway. My mom is babysitting Chloe and I don’t want to stay out too late.”

“Oh, of course.” I try to hide my disappointment, but I’m doing a terrible job. “I understand.”

“Why don’t you come to my place for a coffee? I’ve got everything there that these guys have. Tea, coffee, great conversation, a sexy ex-SEAL.” His eyes sparkle as he teases me.

“I don’t know.” I look over at Julianna, but she’s waving her hands frantically, mouthing the word “Go” over and over.

“Sounds like a magical night to me,” she helpfully interrupts and I shoot her a look.

“I mean, it is still early.” I play with my ring as I weigh out my options.

“It is,” Jackson agrees. “And there’s the conversation with the sexy ex-SEAL. Did I mention that?” He grins and I can’t help but laugh.

“Okay, I’d love to,” I agree, throwing caution to the wind for once. I still have four hours before I need to be back to the house, so why not?