Page 10 of Two Tickets to Paradise

"You had this look on your face that looked... sour? Like you didn’t like the way the drink tasted?"

His voice raised up at the end as if he was worried about it.

Cora looked down at the drink in her hands and realized what he might have thought. She felt her cheeks heat up and so she lifted her gaze to meet his. "No, no... the drink is great, thanks." She grinned at him. "I've never had one of these, but now I think I might have to go over there in the future." Sheshook her head. "I was thinking about how we were lucky to find a bench to sit on where we have room and not squished in like sardines. And that's why I made that face. I'm not a big fan of sardines."

"Ah."

She heard the understanding in his voice.

"What were you looking forward to the most about your visit to Portland?"

He looked down at the cup in his hands and she saw the melancholy look that took over his own expression.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

He shook his head. "You didn't. It's not your fault that there's a storm."

Vince looked down and then snapped his head back up to give her a humorous stare, almost as if he was playing a comical villain. "Unless it is your fault!"

She laughed out loud and shook her head. "DUN DUN DUN. Nope. That's not me. I'm not all powerful! If I was I would have found you an alternate flight plan to get you around the storm and safely home."

"Oh," he shook his head and took a sip of his drink, "Chicago is home. Portland, Maine is where I grew up. My mom and grandmother are there. They're cooking up a storm for the holiday and all I had to do was bring my empty stomach."

"Ah." She nodded her head in understanding. "It's kind of the same way for me on this trip, but I don't think my brother is cooking. He's got a friend who just fell in love with a local girl and her family is putting on quite the spread. Apparently they're cooking the turkey in some kind of green egg? I'm not sure about the particulars, but it's apparently a big thing over there and her family is inviting his whole team to the bowling alley they run for a day of food and fun. I get to come along."

"Bowling, huh?"

She hesitated a little and then gave him a tentative look. "I know it's not everyone's cup of tea," she chuckled softly, but I like it. I'm not good at it, but I like the fun. You can cheer for the strikes and the turkey and then cheer just as hard for the players who just manage to keep the ball on the alley and out of the gutter. It's fun for everyone. And now I'm yammering on and on like I'm selling you on the sport and I don't even know if you like it."

He laughed, but it wasn't a harsh laugh as if he was making fun of her. No, his laugh shook his shoulders and he touched a hand to his middle as he answered her unspoken question. "I've done it a few times as a kid. I think once was a birthday party, but I thought it was fun!"

She was sure she saw something in his expression that said there was more to the story so she asked him about it. "But..."

"But, all the kid-sizes balls were funky neon colors. I wasn't then and I'm not now a big fan of neon."

Cora nodded as her own smile deepened at his admission. "Ahhh... So I shouldn't take you to any 80s themed parties?"

His expression changed. His eyes narrowed almost comically and a brow arched. "Do they have 80s themed parties in Chicago?"

She shrugged. "Not that I know of them, but I'm sure it would be lots of fun. Cyndi Lauper songs."

He nodded. "Guns N' Roses."

She nodded back. "The Bangles!"

Vince thought for a moment. "Bon Jovi!"

Cora gave him a grudging smile. "Jon is a total hunk."

Vince folded his arms across his chest. "Are we talking music or good looks?"

"Can't we have both?" Her smile brightened. "Then we'd be talking about Culture Club and A-Ha."

He shrugged and came back with. "Blondie and Heart... Ann Wilson," he put his hand over his heart, "she was everything."

"So I guess the 80s wasn't all neon, lace, and bustier tops-"

He held up that hand that had been over his heart. "Wait... I have nothing against those tops."

---