Page 91 of The Backtrack
“Yeah.” Damon squinted against the brighter light. “But since this is a love album, I think we also just need a Celine Dion banger. Like, ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ just to round it out.”
“Nah,” Sam said. “If we’re doing a Celine song it’s ‘I Drove All Night.’”
“‘I drove all night,’” someone loudly sang.
Sam and Damon turned to see Alligator Alice power-walking behind them and singing the song’s title.
“Love that song!” Alligator Alice widely smiled. “Great morning for a walk, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” Sam said, holding back a chuckle.
Damon gave a cocky smile as he pulled Sam in toward him. “Making you this CD was the best thing I ever did, as it turns out.”
“And avoiding you for over a decade only to return and discover it was haunted was the best thingIever did.” Sam started back up the beach.
Damon closely followed. “Sam?”
She turned at his voice, and he grabbed her hand. “Should I get the red-dyed tips again?” he asked, all serious.
“They’re coming back now, I hear.” Sam was equally serious.
Damon bent his head slightly, and she reached up toward him. Their lips met and Sam knew he would be her home, no matter where she went.
epilogue
When the wheels touched down in Morocco at Casablanca Airport, Sam was certain it had been her smoothest landing yet. Not a single bump, and the runway sailed beneath like a steady ocean breeze.
“Nowthatwas a landing,” Rachel said, genuinely impressed.
Sam gave a satisfied little exhale. She loved her job.
“Captain Leto?” Flight attendant Ashley’s voice came through the intercom. “What are the results of the ‘What If’ game?”
“We’re about to touch down,” Sam responded into the mic.
Touch downwas code for ending the game. Which meant Sam would have to leave the cockpit to see who’d won this round.
They opened the door to the main cabin to do their traditional farewell to the passengers. But as Sam glanced in the first row, she was only looking for one passenger in particular. Herwhat if.
Damon was packing up his carry-on bag. He wore a Band Practice Brews sweatshirt, and his hair had the smallest hint of red-dyed tips, which she’d dared him to bring back and, true to his word, he had. They were going on their first vacation together, and it was to Morocco—a place neither of them had been, and would allow Sam to complete her travel bingo card.
He glanced up and clocked her there, and an instant smile crossed his lips. He pulled out his AirPods and gave a slow and steady clap while looking at Sam. She crossed her arms and leaned against a wall of the cabin.
“So, you have to settle a bet for me. What song were you listening to?” she asked.
He cocked his head. “Our playlist,” he said. “‘The Glory of Love’ by New Found Glory.”
“Dammit,” Sam said.
Ashley gave a closemouthed smile and held out her hand. “Pay up.”
Sam reached into her back pocket and handed over twenty Moroccan dirham. “I hope you know I was going to spend that on a souvenir for my grandma,” she told Ashley.
“I hope you know I’ll be using it to buy some ghriba cookies for myself.” Ashley snapped the paper currency, as if for emphasis. “Thanks, One C.”
Damon frowned, but Sam came into his aisle and patted his shoulder to reassure him.
“I messed up, huh?” he asked, slinging the backpack over his shoulder.
