by Laura Burton
"Are you sure I don't need a tetanus shot first?" She frowned at the rusty hunk of metal.
Lance grinned. "I think you'll survive."
Lainey stroked Chonk's ears and then put him in the RV. When Lainey pulled the truck's door open, it emitted a high pitched squeal, sounding like it was in danger of falling off its hinges.
As if reading her mind, Lance said, "Just be sure to wear your seatbelt. It'll be fine."
Lainey did as she was told. "Where are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise. But I will tell you that I've heard amazing things about the cinnamon rolls. They're supposedly the best in the world."
Lainey's mouth watered at the thought of a cinnamon roll. "You should have led with that," Lainey said. "I'd get in a car with Pennywise the Dancing Clown for the promise of the world's best cinnamon roll."
Lance laughed. "Good to know."
Lance drove into town, finding the cluster of hotels that Herb had told him about. He looked for the one with the mermaid out front. He hadn't been exactly sure what he was looking for, but it was hard to miss the twenty-foot statue with the glittering tail and giant breasts spilling out of a bikini top. Next to the statue was a sign that read, "Welcome to Freshwater Inn. Rooms Available. Free Wi-Fi. World's Best Cinnamon Roll."
Glancing at Lainey out of the corner of his eye, Lance couldn't help but smile. She looked completely bewildered. Lance parked the truck in the crowded parking lot. Despite the cheesy statue, the inn seemed to have plenty of guests.
"Have you ever heard of a freshwater mermaid?" Lainey asked.
Lance laughed. "Maybe they're a cousin to the Loch Ness Monster? Nessie manages just fine in freshwater."
Lance held the door to the lobby open for her. "Act natural," he said. "Like we belong here."
Lainey's brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't we belong here?"
But Lance didn't have to answer. It was obvious as soon as they walked inside that it was a continental breakfast. Several tables had been set up in the lobby. There was an assortment of cereals, muffins, and fruit. The usual items. But Lance's eyes settled greedily on the display of gigantic cinnamon rolls resting beneath a heating plate. The delicious scent of cinnamon and spice filled the room. He placed his hand on Lainey's back, steering her toward the cinnamon rolls.
"Those are for guests," she hissed.
"Act natural," he repeated.
Up close, the cinnamon rolls were even more impressive. They looked warm and soft, with just the right amount of icing. Lance said a silent thank you to Herb. The crazy old man had come through. Maybe Lance shouldn't have been so dismissive of his tales of Bigfoot.
He reached for a plate and used a pair of tongs to slide a cinnamon roll onto it before handing the plate to Lainey. Then he grabbed one for himself. He led Lainey to an empty table and pulled out a chair for her. "I'll get us each a cup of coffee," he said. "Be right back."
When he returned, two piping hot cups of coffee in hand, he was surprised to see that Lainey hadn't touched her cinnamon roll. She was simply staring at it. He placed the coffees on the table and sat down. "I thought you liked cinnamon rolls?"
Lainey bit her lip and shifted in her chair. "Everyone likes cinnamon rolls."
"Then why aren't you eating."
Her eyes flicked from her plate to his face and then back to the pastry. "Isn't this stealing? We're not hotel guests."
"Afraid you'll go to jail?" Lance grinned. "Have you forgotten how you honked at a cop in the rain, nearly scaring him out of his wits? You didn't get so much as a tongue lashing. So, I think it's safe to eat the cinnamon roll."
"It feels wrong," she said.
"We'll leave a large tip," he promised. He found the end of his own cinnamon roll and pulled a piece loose. He popped it into his mouth, letting the sugary icing melt on his tongue. "This brings back memories. My mother used to take us to continental breakfasts every Saturday. She'd choose a different hotel every weekend. It was the best day of the week. The only day we could eat our fill."
Concern filled Lainey's pretty eyes. "That sounds nice."
Lance smiled sadly. "My mother certainly had her faults. But she was resourceful. Sometimes, she'd take us out for frozen yogurt, giving us a stack of the little paper taster cups. Only we never paid for a full-sized cup after eating the free samples."
Lainey smiled. "I could go for a taster cup of froyo. Is this something you do a lot?"
He shook his head. "Not since Lola and I were taken from our mother." He took another bite of the cinnamon roll. "I think this may be the best cinnamon roll I've ever had. You should try yours."
Lainey tentatively tore off a small piece of her pastry. Lance nodded encouragingly. Lainey closed her eyes, placing the bite on her tongue.
Her eyes popped open. "Oh, wow," she breathed. "These are amazing."
Lance grinned. "Best in the world."
They ate in comfortable silence, the cinnamon rolls too delicious to pause for conversation. Lance couldn't take his eyes from Lainey's face. Once in a while, she would close her eyes as if enraptured by the mingling of sugar and cinnamon on her tongue. After polishing off the last bite, she looked at Lance.
"I can see why this would bring back good memories from your childhood. I'm a little envious." She blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I know you had it tough. It's just…my parents would be mortified by this. They'd definitely consider it stealing, but they'd be even more horrified by the sugar content. They'd insist I brush my teeth at once."
Lance raised his eyebrows, thinking of Lainey's love for junk food. "Are they sticklers for healthy eating?"
"Not exactly." She smiled sheepishly. "They’re dentists."
Lance grinned. "I see. Well, caring for one's teeth is definitely important."
Lainey laughed. "True. And I do believe in practicing good dental hygiene. But my parents aren't always a lot of fun." She looked down at her lap, her expression somber. "They think art is a waste of time. They've been waiting for me to fail. That's why I've been so upset about losing my job at the diner. I don't want to have to ask them for help."
"I understand," Lance said. And he did. He knew exactly what it was like to have to stand on your own two feet. To make your own way in the world. Despite their differences, he and Lainey had a lot in common. He felt connected to her on a deep, spiritual level. He'd never felt that way about another person before. His fingers twitched, desperate to touch her, to physically connect.
Maybe he'd been wrong to never want to marry. What if being in a relationship didn't have to steal his energy, leaving less for his clients or his sister? What if it would actually make him better? Stronger? Whole? What if he opened his heart to love, as Annie had suggested?
His eyes met Lainey's across the table. What if?
Chapter 15
Lainey couldn’t remember a more perfect day. Her brain sent warning signals, a constant beeping, like a backup sensor on a car warning of an impending crash.
Tomorrow, her life would return to normal. She'd be back in New York, unemployed once again, answering help wanted ads until she found a new job. That was her real life. This was just a fantasy. It was better to return to reality now, before losing her grip on it altogether.
But her heart ignored the warning bells, forging ahead like Lewis and Clark. No mountain was insurmountable. No river was untraversable. No man was unreachable. As surely as the Pacific Ocean waited for Lewis and Clark, Lance's heart waited for Lainey. She just had to find the way.
After eating the world's best cinnamon rolls, Lance and Lainey had returned Herb's truck to the camp store. They chatted nonstop on the walk back to the RV, discovering all the things they had in common.
Despite her distaste for horror movies like Rats Invade Queens, Lainey liked suspenseful films and TV shows. She and Lance both loved Stranger Things, though Lance had scowled when Lainey declared her undying love for Chief Hopper.
"He's a total cinnamon roll," she'd explained. "Warm. Sweet. And
oh-so-yummy. He's too good for this world."
They'd spent the rest of the day lounging around their campsite and playing with Chonk. Even the dog seemed to understand that this was their final day, soaking in the affection of his two favorite humans.
Shortly before sunset, new neighbors arrived. Lainey and Lance listened to the couple argue as they attempted numerous times to back their massive camper into the tiny driveway of their campsite. Both had strong opinions on when to cut the wheel, each screaming instructions over the other. A small dog yapped in the background, providing a discordant accompaniment to their bickering.
"Awww. Look, Lance," Lainey teased. "That'll be us in twenty years."
"We'd never be like that," Lance said in a husky voice. They gazed at each other, Lainey holding her breath, willing the moment to last forever. But Lance looked away.
"I have another surprise for you," Lance said. "I'll be back in a few minutes." He rose from the picnic table and went inside the RV. Several minutes later, he returned with an armful of blankets and a metal thermos.
"What's all this?" Lainey asked.
"I figured it's about time we had a campfire," he said. He handed her the bundle and she was happy to see the unicorn-themed winter's hat, scarf, and mittens. The temperature had already begun to drop. She gratefully put them on. Then she laid a blanket on the ground, giving them a place to sit. Chonk immediately claimed a corner for a bed, nestling in for a nap.
Lance stacked the firewood in the ring like a teepee. Then he added kindling and lit a fire, fanning the spark until it erupted in flames.
Lainey whistled. "Look at you. You're like a professional mountain man."
He grinned. "Herb gave me a few pointers yesterday," he admitted. He nodded to the thermos. "And that's Margie's hot cocoa. She says it's a secret recipe but Herb says it's the kind that comes in a box."
Lainey unscrewed the top of the thermos and took a sip. It was warm and sweet, exactly as hot cocoa should be. Whether it came in a box or was made-from-scratch did not matter. "It's delicious," she said, screwing the top back on.
Lance held out his hand. "Let me have a taste."
Lainey smiled coyly. "No. I think I'll just keep it for myself."
Lance cocked an eyebrow. "Are you really going to make me take it from you."
"Bring it," she challenged.
"You're going to regret that." He tackled her against the blanket, tickling her sides.
"Stop! I'm ticklish," she shrieked, unable to control her laughter.
Lance chuckled. "That's kind of the point."
They rolled on the ground, getting tangled in the blanket until Lainey was pinned on top of Lance. She braced her arms on either side of his chest, attempting to push away from his tickling fingertips and their relentless mission to make her squeal with laughter. Wanting in on the fun, Chonk ran around them in circles, barking. When she didn’t think she could stand another second, Lance's hands stopped tickling, coming to rest on her waist. She looked down at him, his eyes glinting in the last rays of sunlight, all signs of laughter gone from his face.
Lainey swallowed, her own laughter dying on her lips. Even Chonk sensed the change in the mood, finding a cozy spot by the fire suitable for a nap. For a long time, neither Lance nor Lainey moved. They just stared at each other. The intensity of his gaze burned through her. Involuntarily, she licked her lips.
Lance's eyes drifted to her mouth. Then he blinked several times and gently rolled Lainey off of him. He disentangled himself from the blanket, reaching for the thermos that had rolled a few feet away.
Anger flared within Lainey. She was done waiting for Lance to make the first move. He wanted to kiss her. She was sure of it. But for whatever reason, he kept pulling away. No more.
Warning bells screamed in her head. This was a bad idea. But Lainey didn't care. She wanted to kiss Lance.
No, she needed to kiss Lance. The longing had become unbearable. She knew the risk. Her heart clenched, anticipating the pain that was sure to come from this decision. But it didn't matter. Lainey would deal with the pain when it came. Because she had no choice. Like a moth to a flame, she reached for him.
She gripped his shirt, knotting it in her fist, and yanking him toward her. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't resist her pull. And then, finally, his lips were on hers.
All the warning bells in Lainey's brain, all the desperate pleadings of her heart, all her hopes, fears, worries, and dreams exploded to the surface at once. For a split second, her grip on Lance's shirt slackened. But then her passion burned even brighter, the collision of emotions fueling the flames of her passion. She parted her lips, unable to get enough of Lance.
His lips were just as greedy. Within moments, his hands were entwined in her hair. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, no space left between them. But still they tugged at each other, both desperate to be as close as possible.
Lainey wasn't sure how long they kissed. Time no longer held any meaning. But when the kiss finally ended, her lips were tender to the touch. She rested her head on Lance's chest and he wrapped his arms protectively around her, as though he never wanted to let her go.
Lainey had never felt happier. But she knew the moment wouldn't last. Couldn't last. Even if they stayed there all night, wrapped in the warmth of the blanket, the sun would eventually rise, bringing with it a new day. Their last day.
"Look," Lance whispered, pointing to the stars.
Lainey glanced up just in time to see a meteor streak across the sky. She closed her eyes and wished with all her might.
Stay. It was more a prayer than a wish. Stay like this forever, she pleaded. To the stars. To Lance. To time itself. Just…stay.
Chapter 16
Eventually, they had run out of firewood, and Lainey and Lance had been forced to call it a night. They'd climbed back into the RV, dragging a tired Chonk along with them. Lance had tucked Lainey into bed, kissed her one last time, and retreated to his spot on the couch.
She had fought hard to stay awake, not wanting to close her eyes. Somehow, she had convinced herself that if she didn’t fall asleep, morning would never come, and nothing would have to change. But her eyelids had grown heavy and she'd drifted to sleep.
And in the morning, the sun rose, bringing the dawn of a new day, just as Lainey had known it would. It was the beginning of the end. As if she needed proof, Chonk provided it in the form of a wet tongue on her cheek. For the first night since their arrival, he hadn't left her to join Lance on the couch. Her sweet dog was still pressed against her in the bed. A sob formed in Lainey's throat. It was really over. The shift had been imperceptible, but she knew it to be true. She felt it in all the fractured pieces of her broken heart.
She changed into her clothes for the day and walked into the main area of the RV.
Lance was breaking eggs into a bowl. "I thought I should use up the eggs before we head out today," he said. His eyes didn't meet hers.
Lainey showered while Lance made breakfast. She allowed a few tears to slip from her eyes and down the shower drain. But then she forced herself to get control of her emotions. She had made the choice to kiss Lance last night, knowing that they couldn’t be together. It was time to face the music like a big girl.
She and Lance ate their eggs in silence and then set about packing their belongings. They secured the cabinets, making sure nothing would come crashing down during the commute to New York.
A knocking at the door startled Lainey from her thoughts. She opened the door to see a man who looked like he'd had a fight with a grizzly bear but lived to tell the tale. A red scar gashed his face. But his smile was pleasant.
"I'm here to fix your tires," he said.
"Oh, yes," Lainey said. "I believe you've already been paid?"
"Yep," he said. "And I was given extra to deliver a note. First time I've ever been asked to be a mailman." He handed Lainey a yellow notecard.
Lainey exchanged a meaningful glance with Lance. Annie. "Tha
nk you," she said.
Lance hooked Chonk to his leash and the three of them followed the grizzled man out of the RV. While the man set to work on the tires, Lainey and Lance sat across from each other at the picnic table. Taking a deep breath, Lainey opened the note. She read it aloud:
Dearest Lainey and Lance,
Good morning. As promised, a man has arrived to change your tires. I hope you've both had a pleasant couple of days and that doors have been opened that were previously closed.
Love, Annie
P.S. Lance, Paul asked me to include a message from him. He says, verbatim: I'm excited to work together on new projects. I have no doubt you will be a terrific agent. Talk soon.
"Congratulations," Lainey said. "Looks like you got what you wanted."
Lance's eyes met hers for the first time that day, but he quickly looked away. "I couldn’t have done it without you."
Lainey shook her head. "I'm not so sure about that. But I'm not going to argue, because I haven't received my final payment yet." She smiled weakly.
"Oh, right," Lance said. "I'll send that right now." He pulled out his phone to forward her the payment.
Lainey fought back tears. How could he think that's what she wanted from him? She didn't care about the money. She wanted his heart.
"Well, I guess this is it," she said, still staring at Annie's note. "Time to head back to the real world. I bet you'll enjoy having a bed again. You'll no longer have to tolerate sharing a couch with a smelly dog."
"Chonk doesn't share the space very well, that's for sure." His voice was strained.
Neither spoke after that. They just watched the mechanic change the tires. When he finished his task, he walked over to them, wiping his hands on a towel.
"Well, folks, you're all set."
Lainey nodded at the mechanic. "Thank you, sir. We appreciate your help. We're both ready to go home."
They rode in silence all the way back to the city. Annie had wanted them to open the door to love. And they had, for a moment, just the tiniest crack.