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“You like it,” Lacey said, unable to withhold a grin.
“You are amazing,” Sadie said, giving her a hug.
The door opened behind them, and McGovern strode into the costume shop with a wolf-whistle. “Two hot ladies. I might melt.”
Lacey crossed to him and kissed him. “She’s all for Doyle.”
“Lucky bastard.” McGovern winked and Lacey slapped his chest playfully.
“You sure you don’t mind keepin’ an eye on Teddy tonight?” Sadie asked one more time.
“We love having him over,” McGovern said. “He’s the only one who listens to all my stories without interrupting.”
“And might actually believe them,” Lacey added.
Sadie laughed and blew them a kiss on her way out. She passed through the halls, feeling only slightly strange that she was the only one not wearing clothing from the 1880’s. She caught the gaze of the Watcher as she strode toward the elevator. They held the door for her.
“Floor eight,” she said.
“You don’t want to dress up for the final night?” the Watcher asked.
“Nope. I had enough of that, thanks.”
“I have to say, it’s been an uneventful trip,” The Watcher mused, hands behind their back.
Sadie held back a snicker. “Except for you agreeing to bring back an extinct animal. That’s mighty nice of you, Mx. Watcher.” She couldn’t help herself bringing up Darcy, who Teddy had convinced the Watcher to bring along for science and was now the star of the resort.
The Watcher smiled. “Why, thank you.”
The second the doors opened, Sadie slid out, relaxing when they closed again, leaving the Watcher behind.
Just in time for her and Wally’s dinner date, she reached her room. She wondered which restaurant he was taking her to. She loved every one of them.
When the door refused to open, she knocked.
“Who is it?” Wally teased from the other side.
“You know damn well who it is.”
The door slid open, and Wally stepped aside, sweeping out an arm to indicate the small, round table set for dinner in the center of a room filled with lit candles of all sizes.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, strolling inside to take in the scene. A red rose sat in a glass vase in the center of the table, and two steaming plates of food were all set along with her favorite new drink Wally had introduced her to, champagne. It was like Sarsaparilla with alcohol.
“You are amazing,” she said, turning and leaning into him for a kiss.
She wondered how long she’d actually be wearing the little black dress that evening. Hopefully, not long.
“No, you are. I can’t wait to rip this off you,” he said, reading her mind. She felt his appreciation grow against her stomach as he held her.
“Dinner might get cold,” she teased.
“Fuck dinner,” he replied. “But there is something I want to do first. It’s important to me to do it before we leave 1888.”
Sadie furrowed her brow. “What is it?”
“I want to give you the option to change your mind before it’s permanent. I know we haven’t left the TCR since we moved locations to Tucson. But we’re still here, and if you want help finding your family, I’ll make sure it’s done. I don’t want you to think you owe me anything, Sadie.” He held her arms and searched her face for reassurance.
“I want to be with you, Wally.”
