Free Trust Me by Kristin Mayer

he’s about to concede.
    He’s still a little riled, but so am I. Whatever he and that guy talked about has put a spur in his saddle.
    “Fine, we’ll talk about it later.” As he begins to drive again, he adds more softly, “Have you let Sam know that you have an alternate ride home?”
    “Not yet. I know I am going to be barraged with text messages from her responding to the email I sent to her prior to turning off my phone. Answering her questions will give me something to do at the airport.” I pull out my lip gloss from my purse and add some to my lips, trying to dissipate the intensity of the situation.
    “What did you send her?”
    Oh gosh, we are just jumping from one hot topic to another this morning. Why can’t I keep my mouth shut? “Listen to the full story before you go all He-Man on me, okay?” I wait for his assent.
    “Alli…”
    “No, you’re a little jumpy, and I’m not sure why.” I look pointedly at him.
    “I just want you to be safe.”
    “I am safe.”
    He doesn’t look convinced, and honestly, it’s too early for me to delve into that with barely half a cup of coffee in me.
    Hoping to placate the conversation, not him, I continue, “So, Sam, being Sam, left me departing words to find a guy on my trip. Of course, she was just playing around because she knows how I am. I sent her an email when I got to my room, saying I was obeying her departing orders. I had not met a guy at the time, and really, I just sent it to provoke her.” I cannot believe I got all that out in one breath.
    He looks over at me curiously. “But now, you have met a guy.”
    I smile coyly at him. “Yes, I have.”
    “And are you going to tell her today?” One of his hands comes out and grabs my hand.
    “I planned on it.” I smirk at him, and then I suddenly realize we may not be to that point yet. “But I don’t have to. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
    He looks at me as if I just grew a third head, and I cannot help but giggle at his expression.
    “Yes, Alli, I want everyone to know as soon as you’re comfortable with it. Is there any way I can meet Sam next week when I get back?”
    “Sure. I’m not sure what we have planned though. What were you thinking?”
    “Whatever works best. Just talk to her and let me know.”
    It makes me feel good that he wants to meet my friend and actually engage himself in my life. “Sounds good.”
    We pull into a quaint little diner off the beaten path. As we walk in, it reminds me of a place two elderly ladies would run. Everything is done in mismatched antiques. The pieces all fit together in that odd sort of way. It’s set up in little coves, so each seating area is semiprivate. They have homemade pastries and an assortment of quiches to choose from.
    “This place is fantastic,” I say.
    “I’m glad you think so. It was where I had planned to take you yesterday morning.”
    My cheeks blush a little, thinking about how I fainted on our first date. Classy. Definitely need a subject change. “So, what do you do for a living?”
    “I’m in real estate and dabble in other investments.”
    For some reason, I get a picture of the Monopoly man playing with all his money after he passes Go.

    It’s quickly approaching nine, and the car will be here any minute. Damien pays the bill, and we walk outside just as my ride arrives to take me to the airport.
    Damien pulls me to him. “I wish you were staying, but I’ll be back on Tuesday. Please be safe. Keep me posted when you land. I’ll be in meetings for most of the day, so I’ll need to text. But if you need me, call me and I will pick up. Okay?”
    “Okay. Hope you enjoy your meetings. It sounds like so much fun.” I cannot suppress the sarcasm in my voice.
    He smiles. “I’ll talk to you this evening.”
    He leans down and kisses me. Just as I start to lean in and forget the rest of the world, he pulls away, and it’s over.
    He puts his forehead against mine and groans. “Soon. It is going to be soon. I