Gen purses her lips. “You could go to the zoo. Go see the giant pandas. They’re so cute!”
“My membership expired,” I counter. “What else?”
“Hmm. You could have him take you to the theater in Liberty Station, go watch a movie in the reclining chairs and have a drink.”
“That sounds fun. I wonder if there’s anything good playing right now. I could look.”
“Oh!” she blurts. “I know! Go to Coronado and go ice-skating at the hotel. I’m pretty sure they’re still doing s’mores on the beach through the New Year. That could be romantic!”
I lean against the counter, grinning. “That sounds like a lot of fun, actually.”
“You should do it! Sip on some hot cocoa, skate around. Then get cozy by the fire, if ya know what I mean.” She knocks her elbow into my rib cage, waggling her brows.
“Why do you always have such good ideas?”
She shrugs. “It’s why you pay me big bucks. Hey, by the way, is that hot doctor you dumped single now, or what?” Her smile is devious as she tosses a wink over her shoulder, then turns into business mode and addresses the customer who’s approaching the cash wrap. “Hi! Did you find everything you were looking for today?”
With a grateful heart, I shake my head as I laugh and walk onto the sales floor with books to put back, trying to ignore the urge to pull the phone out of my back pocket and start researching information for mine and Miller’s first date.
Chapter Eighteen
I’ve made it through one full day of not seeing Zee, and I feel like I deserve a medal for that. I’ve spent every waking moment thinking of her, and when I close my eyes it’s her I see in my dreams.
Being away from her feels like I’ve left something behind in San Diego, and I know it’s my heart. It’s in the palm of her goddamn hand, and I never want her to give it back.
I thought falling in love overnight only happened in the movies, but she’s proven me wrong. Elizabeth Ashford is all-consuming. A gale-force wind that blew into my life and inserted her presence, whether she meant to or not.
When my animals are tucked safely into their homes for the night, I head back into my cabin to grab the bag I packed earlier. I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing Zee tonight, so I made arrangements for my animals. Thankfully, a buddy of mine agreed to take care of them tomorrow and Sunday morning. It was a big ask, but I pay him well, and bribed him with promises of football, beer, and steak at my place next time his team plays. As soon as the plan was set in motion, I got ready to return to San Diego.
Slamming the door to the truck, I glance down at the clock as the engine warms up, and send Zee a quick text before I hit the road. She has no idea I’m on my way to surprise her, and I plan to keep it like that for as long as possible.
Thinking about you.
She’s off in about thirty minutes, so I don’t expect a response right away. Tossing my phone into the cup holder, I put on the radio and relax into my seat as I hit the road.
You’d never know it’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s by the way the tourists still flock to my small town, meandering around the different shops and eating their body weight in pie. The parking lots and streets are filled with vehicles, making the road out of town a little harder to navigate.
I’ve always hated this week—that awkward limbo between the two major holidays. It feels like time doesn’t exist, and everything is just…off.
Or maybe I’m projecting what I’ve been feeling since I’ve been away from Zee.
The drive is smooth, the radio deejay keeping my company through the winding back roads and bout of traffic as I drive through the town of Ramona.
When I make it to the outskirts of East County, I pick up my phone again and find a message waiting for me.
Just walked through the door! So glad to be home. Potato was sitting in the middle of my kitchen table looking like he was plotting my murder.
Why?
His bowl was empty.
I laugh and shake my head, keeping one hand on the wheel.
He’s an eating machine.
I shouldn’t be texting while I’m driving, but I can’t help myself. Knowing that I’m so close to seeing her but still have a bit of a drive is the worst.
He really is. How was your day?
