Page 23 of Oz Wisdom

She looked up.

"My name. Travis Alden."

“Does anyone call you that?”

“My parents.”

“Girlfriend? Friends?” she dared ask.

The corner of Oz’s lips twitched. “No. But you can.”

“Travis. I like that.” She glanced away feeling the heat begin to fill her cheeks. "About this morning. . .”

"Stop.”

Taylor jerked her head toward Oz and her eyes widened.

"We're past that. Do not apologize.” Oz reached for his glass and took another drink. He returned the glass to the table as he spoke. "No one has seen my work before.”

"But you were reading. And I recognized the characters from the book you lent to me."

Oz’s smirk was somehow different than she had seen before. And his eyes. Oh, his eyes were hypnotizing, but the seriousness in them had faded. Humor? What had she missed? She tilted her head studying his features as he bit into the BBQ sandwich again.

“Yeah. Reading. I was reading. How’s your lunch?”

Taylor narrowed her eyes. Don’t change the subject. Making things right was hard enough. Having him practically laugh at her now was confusing. What had she done? He had been angry when he returned to the room after a break from work and now he was amused by the incident. Work. Her brows dipped low. Work? Book character? “That was a writing program,” she whispered. “You were writing?" She grabbed her purse, pulling out book two that was still there. Quickly, she scanned the “about author” section. "You're . . .?" She tapped the name on the book as her voice fell silent.

“That’s a pen name.” He chuckled. “I've never shared that fact with anyone,” he confessed.

"The club?"

He shook his head.

"And you're telling me?”

"I trust you to keep this between us. I'll tell them in my own time."

"I promise,” Taylor vowed. She slipped the book back into her purse. “Well, I love your writing.”

Oz laughed out loud then, and she couldn’t control the smile that took over as she enjoyed the BBQ sandwich in front of her. A few bites later, she cocked her head, looking at Oz. "Why do they call you Oz?”

"Remember that computer I told you about?"

"Yeah."

"I learned to be proficient by searching and researching everything. Anyone had a question; I'd see how much I could find out about it. I rarely gave a yes or no answer. Long story short, I'm as wise as the old Wizard.”

“I like that comparison. And I agree." Taylor grinned. "Plus, you’re sending me home.”

Oz chuckled. "But not too soon, Dorothy. We have the rest of the day."

And Oz came through on his promise. The rest of the day was packed full of interesting and curious sights she had not seen before.

***

Taylor rolled onto her back. She closed her eyes only for them to pop open a moment later. It was no use. As soon as she dozed off, memories crept, in forcing her awake again. She glanced down. No blood. She blew out a held breath. Chelle’s blood stained only her memories, not her clothing. She turned her head toward the bed next to hers. Oz was sleeping. Thank goodness the screams were contained inside her dreams also.

She threw back the covers and padded to the restroom. With any luck, a good face splashing would wash away the nightmares. For tonight anyway. The water was warm and soothing. She rubbed it across her neck and chest before patting it dry.

---