Page 24 of Love on the Line

Thankful for light traffic, and the fact thatnot many others decided to head to the park at 6:30, she easily found a parkingspot in the small lot. A handful of cars where present, but she didn’t see anyoccupants, and looking around, others nearby were heading to the heart of thepark where the balloons were getting ready to launch.

Before she exited her car, AJ decided tosend a text to Jen, letting her know the change of plans, and if she didn’thear from her by ten, to send the police. She added several winkingemojisand assured her friend she was confident in what shewas doing. She also stated she’d still like her and Kayli to plan to meet laterat the 10 Barrel Brewing Company, as originally discussed. Satisfied with herdecision, she got out of her car, locked it, and wandered toward the greenbeltrunning adjacent to the Boise River.

AJ passed a couple who gave her a curiousstare as both their glances took in her attire, but she didn’t care. She justsmiled and continued on, actually glad for the coat due to the brisk earlySeptember morning. Somehow, within just a few days, it’s as if they turned thatcorner toward autumn as the mornings grew cooler and it took longer for the sunto rise.

As AJ reached the greenbelt and looked outover the river, she admired the pristine water flowing over rocks and a fewdowned trees. She loved living here, with fresh air, clean conditions, and aplethora of activities to enjoy. And she very much hoped that after meetingMathias, they’d hit it off beautifully and could enjoy many activitiestogether.

Checking her phone, she had two minutesuntil she was supposed to meet him, so she headed back toward the lot. As sheapproached, she was surprised to see it had filled up, and more people weremaking their way across the grass toward the balloons.

AJ quickly scanned the vehicles, notseeing anyone standing about, but as she neared a silver SUV, a figure emergedfrom between it and another. Her eyes widened, as did her mouth, as she took inhis attire of black tights, gold breastplate, and flowing red cape. He evenheld a replica of Thor’s hammer in his hand.

But more surprising than that were theglasses on his face, and the deep blue eyes behind them. And the cute cleft inhis chin.

Thestranger from the park! The same man from the bar at the Grove!

“Mathias?” AJ asked hesitantly, not takinganother step.

His eyes softened and a smile started toform on his lips. “It’s me, Amelia Jane.” He stopped within a few feet of her.

“Wh… how?” She shook her head to clear her confusion.What are the odds this would be Mathias?And before she knew it,she was voicing her concerns. “From the park. From the bar,” she said softly. “Whatare the odds it’s you?” As AJ studied his face, she saw a change in his eyes, afurrow in his brow. He actually began to look uncomfortable. “What is it?” sheasked.

Mathias expelled a breath and said wordsthat stole hers. “I, uh, I have a confession. I knew who you were all along.”

AJ instinctively took a step back. “What?”

“That night in the bar, when I first sawyou, you looked so beautiful. You sat alone for some time, and I finally workedup the courage to go talk to you. But then you looked, panicked, and youcouldn’t get out of there fast enough.”

“I—”

Mathias rushed on, taking a step towardher. “Something about you struck me right in the chest, Amelia Jane. I just hadto find you. I had to get to know you.”

“This is unbelievable. So, how … when … Idon’t understand.” AJ shook her head. “How did you know I was onFlirt Chatand that we’d connect?” Shelooked up at him, wanting answers, wanting to believe this wasn’t someelaborate setup.

“I didn’t. Until Jen.”

“Jen? What does she have to do with this?”

“After you and she left the bar, later whenshe came back, she spoke to me. She said she’d seen me trying to make my way toyou.” Mathias chuckled. “She took me off to the side and actually grilled mefor thirty minutes. She thought I might have done somethinguntowardto you, something to scareyou.”

“You did,” AJ couldn’t help but blurt out.

“What? No. All I wanted to do was talk toyou.”

“I wasn’t ready to talk to someone likeyou.”

“Someone like me?”

AJ waved her hands about. “Someone withall this gorgeousness! I didn’t trust anyone, not after what Brad did to me. Youtake one look at me and decide I’m a pretty face so you start to move—”

“It wasn’t like that at all,” Mathiassaid, his voice raising. “I saw a beautiful woman who helped her friend out ofan embarrassing situation. I saw a beautiful woman who looked sad yet yearnedfor the uninhibited fun her other friend was having. Do you know how hard itwas for meto get up the nerve to tryto talk to you?”

“Right,” AJ said, her sarcasm evident. “Becausesomeone like you couldn’t get any woman he wanted.”

“Appearances are deceiving, AJ. If anyoneshould know that, you should.”

She reared back as if slapped. “I sure ashell should. So, what, you tell Jen you’ve just got to get to know me and youtwo concoct this plan for us to hook up throughFlirt Chat?”

“Basically, yes.”

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