Page 66 of The Map of Nova and Dev

“I think we’ve established what she’ll be having.” Devin smiles at the server I hadn’t noticed arrived. “I’ll take the Crepe Florentine, please.”

I grimace at his choice. “Vegetables and stuff, seriously?”

“After all the junk and alcohol you forced on me yesterday? Yes, I’m eatingvegetables and stuff.”

I flutter my fingers, sweeping his accusation aside. “Spoken like a true professional athlete.”

Devin smirks. “Semi-pro.”

“You get paid to play the game you love, Hotshot. Don’t make light of that.” Under the table, I nudge his shoe with the tip of mine. “And don’t worry about your diet. We’ve got the whole day to work it off.”

After breakfast, we go on a mile-long trek through the Quarter, taking different streets from yesterday and stopping in a shop here and there.

“You weren’t kidding when you said we’d work off our food.”

“Oh, quit your whining. I’m here to help you keep up with your rigorous baseball workouts, so you’re welcome. It’s just a little farther on Canal Street.”

Devin stops in the middle of the sidewalk, arms crossing over his broad chest. “So you really do have a plan? You weren’t making that up to irritate me.”

“Yes, smartass. I have a list. And it looks like we’re actually right on time.” I grab his shirt and tug. “C’mon, or we’ll miss it and have to wait for the next one.”

Jogging, we catch the St. Charles streetcar, slipping into a row mid-way back. Devin offers me the window seat while he sinks low and angles his body, his long legs stretching into the aisle once we’re underway.

Unlocking my phone to verify our stop, I flash a grin. “I hope you’re ready for a good day.”

Devin settles his arm behind my head, his fingers teasing my shoulder before he draws me against his side. “Any day spent with you is a good day, but give me your list.”

I find myself turning and kissing his jaw before I swipe the screen. “I found this site online that gave a whole run-down of things to do in the Garden District. We can check out all the old mansions, tour a few of the historic homes that are now B&Bs and hotels, tour Lafayette Cemetery, and go to the zoo. I have the top places to eat, and I thought even if we don’t visit the zoo, there’s a really nice public park, and Tulane and Loyola are both right there. I mean, it’s not Notre Dame, but—”

“You’d tour a cemetery?”

“Everything I listed and you ask about cemeteries?”

“Uh, it’s a cemetery.” Devin digs into the zippered pocket of his shorts and pulls his phone out. “Tell you what, we can do everything you want if you’re game for a cemetery tour tonight.”

“Oh, no. Are you crazy? You know what those above-ground crypts look like. I am not going in there at night.”

“Awww. C’mon, Spitfire. It’ll be fun.”

“Devin, I hate being scared. I never even went to the haunted houses people set up on Halloween when I was younger. I can’t. Not at night.”

“I didn’t take you for a scaredy cat.” He winks, tweaking my side. ”But you’re cool to do a day tour?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Okay, then we have to go see that Voodoo Queens site. What was her name? Mary…”

“Marie.” I recall our conversation with the colorful employees at the Voodoo museum we visited yesterday. “Um, Lav…Laveau.”

“Yes. We’ll do a tour there later, or tomorrow, if we don’t get back in time from everything you have on yourlist.”

“You haven’t changed. You still say list like it’s a dirty word. It’s not a bad thing to have a plan.”

“Whatever you say, Dimples.”

As much as I want to argue, I can’t. Not having a plan is what landed me here with Devin. His running on heart and fear is how he ended up at my wedding with a letter that changed everything. Maybe plans are overrated. Maybe I should throw away the lists and just live.

I giggle, and Devin eyes me. “Sorry, I was just thinking about something.”

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