Page 19 of Last Minute

“We can check things off my list at each stop or find new things to do.

Whatever works for you.”

“This is your trip, Ellie. I’m just here for security,” I say as I pass the phone back to her and turn off the car. We grab our bags and head inside. I do my cursory sweep of the lobby as Ellie checks us in. And like yesterday, we arrange ourselves in the new double room.

“What’s on the docket for this stop?”

Ellie leaves her suitcase at the foot of the bed and tucks her new room key into her cross-body bag.

“Bowling. I found a place about half an hour away. It’s farther off the interstate, but I figured it would be less busy and less public. It would make your job a little easier if you didn’t have to be on high alert at all times.”

I lower my brow. “I’m always on high alert. That’s why I’m so good at my job.”

“Travis—my usual EPA,” she explains, “did say you were the best.” She smiles as she shrugs one shoulder. “But this way, you can have a little fun.” At a look from me, she rolls her eyes. “And be on high alert, if you want.”

I cross to the door and open it, stepping into the hallway first before guiding Ellie out. She slows as I place a hand on the small of her back as she crosses in front of me, guiding her toward the elevator at the other end of the hall.

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I let my hand linger there instead of pulling away immediately; I let her break the contact first.

The bowling alley she picked half an hour off the interstate looks like any other bowling alley you’d find across the east coast, but Ellie walks in with stars in her eyes.

“This is amazing,” she breathes as she spins in a circle, taking in the early 90s themed alley with fluorescent carpet and black lights. There are a few small groups already bowling, some teenagers, a few moms with their kids, and one solo guy on a lane far away from everyone else who looks like a serious bowler.

We approach the counter and give our shoe sizes to the employee. I don’t know why Ellie looks so excited to be handed a pair of discount sanitized bowling shoes. Probably because it’s the first time she’s ever worn shoes that have been put on hundreds of people’s feet before hers.

“Can you give us a lane over in the middle?” I gesture to the expanse where no one is bowling. It will be much easier to participate in Ellie’s activity if I don’t have to be constantly keeping an eye on people only one lane over.

The employee nods and sets us up. “How many games?” he asks.

“Two,” I say, reaching for my wallet. Ellie sees and tries to grab my arm, but I wrap my free arm around her, pinning her to my side as I pull out my wallet and pay for our shoe rental and game.

“Erik!”

“Ellie. I recognize and am grateful for your desire and ability to pay for this. But let this be me paying you back for lunch yesterday.”

Ellie wiggles free as the employee hands me back my credit card, and I steer her over to the lane we’ve been assigned. I type our names into the screen and start our game while Ellie picks a bowling ball. We pass each other while I grab my own ball.

“Whenever my brother Bash and I compete at anything, we wager on it. So what are we putting on this game? Bragging rights? Cold hard cash?” Ellie’s eyes look like they’re lit with an inner fire. “Or are you scared to lose to a…” Ellie looks around to make sure she’s out of earshot. “Princess.”

I step closer, invading her personal space. “What are you willing to lose, Ellie?”

Ellie leans in until we’re almost touching, and I feel her proximity like a fist around my lungs. Her floral scent envelops me the same way it did when she landed on my lap last night.

It’s barely a twitch of my hand to brush my fingers across hers. I don’t know why I do it, but with her standing so close and invading all of my senses, it’s like a reflex to reach toward her.

“Since we can’t play for the crown jewels, why don’t we just play for dinner? Winner gets to buy.”

I can’t tell if she’s serious or not about the crown jewels, but for dinner? “You’re on.”

I’m not imagining it when Ellie’s fingers curl slightly around the ends of mine for a second before she steps back and picks up her bowling ball.

CHAPTER 15

Ellie

I absolutely destroy Erik in bowling. After the first two games, where I win decisively, partially because it takes Erik nearly seven frames to find his stride, Erik pays for two more. He claims it’s just beginner’s luck and he’ll beat me in the next game.

But that was just my warm up. After those two, I bowl strikes every few frames, and we end with a solid 4-0 victory for me.

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