Page 70 of The Amazing Date

“Do you trust me?” I repeat the question, this time capturing his complete attention.

The door clicks closed behind him, the echo bouncing down the long narrow stairwell. If this was Gabby, I know she’d challenge me, hollering to hurry up. But Roberto doesn’t do any of those things. He steps to me and waits for me to explain. He is a true partner, ready to listen, to treat my thoughts with consideration. It’s only when I turn and head down the stairwell that he speaks.

“Why are we going down the stairs?”

He’s behind me and can’t see the silly smirk that must be plastered on my face. It’s time to remove the prickly blonde thorn that has been a pain in our sides for too long.

I try to recall the words; sure, I’ll screw it up but surprise myself. “Now that we’ve come…” I begin to sing. The words echo down the stairwell, a matching cadence returned from a floor below.

“To the end of our road.” Ronnie’s and Thelma’s heads poke out from around the railing, joy on their faces.

Thelma returns my earlier comment. “Fancy meeting you here.”

We both fall into a fit of giggles as I wave them up, and the four of us proceed toward the observation deck.

“Let’s chat,” I say, and I catch a smirk racing across Roberto’s face. He hasn’t figured out what I’m up to, but I can tell he’s all in.

This date is about to get a lot better.

Chapter 41

Roberto

Rylee’s plan is ingenious, impulsive, risky, and a beautiful sight. Just like the woman who developed it. We leave Ronnie and Thelma behind in the stairwell and burst onto the observation deck.

Having poured water on our heads, we appear to be sweat-drenched, out-of-breath, desperate racers—not that far from the truth.

The observation deck, as you would expect, is dominated by floor-to-ceiling glass walls in every direction. In the middle of the floor is a gift shop, restrooms, and some locked doors, which are probably offices or maintenance closets. Doors on each wall offer entrance to an observation deck, each facing a different direction.

We race out to the southern-facing deck and immediately cross paths with the blondes.

“We’re too late,” Rylee chimes in their direction, catching Kelly’s gaze. “I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Soon,” Kelly shoots back, pushing past Rylee and racing in the opposite direction. Caitlin follows behind, shouting, “We’ve already looked in that direction. Kelly, let’s try the gift shop and bathrooms.”

“Oh, wait, you mean you haven’t found the finish line mat yet?” I chime in, putting my most sincere voice in place. “That means… we still have a chance.”

“As if,” Caitlin spouts but not before I catch her gaze. I fake a surprised expression, looking in Rylee’s direction.

“Okay, good luck,” I whisper toward Caitlin and race toward Rylee, knowing I’m being watched.

Rylee is twisting a long-range tourist telescope on the edge of the deck. The deck has about a dozen or so scopes on this level. I assume a similar number exists on the remaining three as well.

The exterior deck is bathed in spotlights, which can be seen for miles. Tonight, in honor of the race, the lights are white and gold. “What are you thinking?” I shout loud enough to be heard. “Shouldn’t we be looking for the race mat like the girls?”

Rylee turns toward me, glances over my shoulder, spotting Caitlin, and lowers her head and voice to me in a fake whisper. “Good, she’s watching. Act like I’m telling you a huge surprise, but try not to show it. Then go to the gift shop and—” She reaches into her running belt and pulls out a twenty-dollar bill. She raises her voice this time. “—get a stack of quarters.”

I nod and lean over the scope, raising my hand above my brow as if straining to spot something in the distance. I take the bill and then race toward the gift shop. I don’t turn but can sense Caitlin following me.

The shop is filled with tchotchkes, miniature souvenirs of the Empire State Building. I spot a tiny figurine of King Kong scaling the building. I think of Mr. Fluffernutter and scoop it up before racing to the register.

I place the figurine on the counter and hand the clerk the bill. “Can I get the change in quarters?” I state loudly. I spot Caitlin in the reflection of one of the silver platters behind the register. She is standing in front of a salt-and-pepper collection, one hand holding a pepper grinder, but her eyes are locked on me, taking in my every word.

“That’s over ten dollars in coins, sir. Are you sure?” the clerk asks, ringing up the sale.

“Yeah. I’m in a race, and our final clue is hidden somewhere that can only be seen from one of the telescopes on the observation deck. My girlfriend has studied every challenge in this race’s history, and she says it’s been done before. What do I know? That’s a lot of real estate to cover, hence the need for all the coins.” I feel like an idiot speaking so loud with what I know must be the world’s worst acting, yet I pray the greed and blind fury to win by Caitlin will have her look past it and bite.

Grabbing the change and my gift, I race out the door, turn, and stop. I peer back into the store and spot Caitlin at the register. Hook, line, and sinker.

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