Page 8 of Loving Hard on the Highway

“Yeah, it’s just easier if I use my card for the trip, and we can square up when we get to Cali.”

“Oh.” Gabbie blinked, as if my excuse made perfect sense. Which it did, by the way. But I had no intention of having her pay me back. This trip was costing me nothing, and it seemed like she could use that cash to get settled.

“One standard two queen bed suite,” the receptionist chimed as she handed me the key cards.

I handed one to Gabbie, who looked relieved that there were two beds, as the receptionist relayed some activities we could do in Saddleback on a Saturday night.

Twenty minutes later, the hostess at Roadside 14 BBQ was sitting Gabbie and me at a private booth.

I inhaled a deep breath. “If this is what heaven smells like, then take me now.”

“It smells good, but I think it’s presumptuous to think you’re getting into heaven, my guy,” Gabbie snickered.

“With these looks, I’m sure I could charm my way in.” I flashed her a smile.

“Oh, the confidence is strong,” she scoffed, then looked at the menu, but I swear I saw her crack a smile and blush hit her gorgeous copper cheeks.

To say the meal was fantastic would be an understatement. We lingered at the table longer than we needed to, the remains of rib bone, brisket crumbs, and sauce between us like a truce flag,

I told her about the state of disembodiment I left Reba in. My wording caused a passerby to gasp and go wide-eyed, which elicited a full laugh from Gabbie.

She daintily licked a dab of sauce from her thumb, and her dark brown eyes crinkled in that way that made it hard for me to look away.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you and Reba will be reunited soon.”

“I’ll be counting the days.” I dabbed nonexistent tears as the waitress came to our table.

“Can I get you two anything for dessert?” she asked as she topped off our drinks.

Gabbie shook her head. “I am completely stuffed.”

“Same here,” I agreed. “You can bring me the check.”

She returned with the bill and a brochure listing various things to do in town.

“There’s this place nearby. Live music, good crowd. Thought maybe we could go hang out for a little,” I said as I handed Gabbie the brochure.

As she looked it over, I slipped my card into the billfold and handed it back to the waitress.

“I don’t know,” she sighed. “I’m sure my friends will try to call me at the hotel, and we have to get up early. I need to get a phone, and we need to get back on the road.”

“Come on, they’ve got karaoke.”

She blinked, surprised. Not in a bad way. More like she hadn’t expected that fromme.

“You sing?” she said, one corner of her mouth lifting.

I shrugged, smiling. “Badly. But enthusiastically and with unwarranted confidence.”

She laughed, the sound soft and genuine. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

“Could be,” I said, holding her gaze. “But it’s more fun than going back to the hotel early.”

For a moment, she looked at me like she was measuring something and weighing it. Then she stood, grabbing her bag. “I need to go freshen up in the ladies’ room.”

“So, we’re on?” I asked.

“Only if you promise not to bail halfway through.”

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