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The flying rhinos in the final act didn’t disappoint. One tripped on the wet stage and fell hard, his paper mâché horn crumpling like an accordion. The crowd hooted and hollered their support as the wounded rhino gallantly finished his scene, then limped off stage to rousing applause.
When the play was over, the crowd jumped to its feet as the supporting actors took their bows. When the man in the cape came to the front of the stage, an older woman in the front row who looked like a female version of him threw a huge bouquet of roses at his feet.
“This really is the best entertainment in town,” Roger said as the lights flicked on, and the audience began to disperse. He tucked his empty bowl under his arm. “I never miss a show.”
“I always heard The Looking Glass plays were legendary,” Alanna agreed, “and it didn’t disappoint.”
Slowly, the crowd filed outside. The sky was dark, and a cold wind stirred the light rain.
“You wait here,” Sully told Alanna, “I’ll go get the car.”
She didn’t let go of his hand. “The wind won’t blow me over, I promise.”
She had that sassy look in her eyes, and Sully knew better than to argue. Instead, he pulled his hand from hers, zipped the jacket up to her chin, then reclaimed her hand. Together, they jogged to his car.
“I’m so glad you told me to wear sneakers,” she muttered as they made it to the parking lot.
Sully went to open her car door, but she leaned against it. Below her zipped-up jacket, Alanna’s dress was plastered to her pale skin, showcasing the swell of her hips. Raindrops trembled on her eyelashes and coated her lips like jewels.
“Wait.” She looked at him, the hood of his jacket loose around her face. “This day was…” she threw her head back trying to find the right word. “Magical,” she finally said. “Thank you.”
Ding, ding, ding!So this was what it felt like to win the lottery. Sully took her hands.Here goes nothing… and everything.“I wanted to show you Yucca Hills the way I see it,” he said. “In case…” he swallowed. “In case you might want to stay.”
She was quiet for a long time. Too long. The wind seemed to get colder by the second. Drops of chilled rain ran down the back of Sully’s neck.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” she whispered.
Why did he have the feeling her next words were going to blast his heart like a phaser set to kill?Please don’t,Sully thought. Because if she told him she was leaving, he didn’t know how he could let her go.
And then Alanna was in his arms, her mouth hungry on his. He licked the raindrops from her lips, then pressed his mouth over hers. Her hands gripped his shoulders so hard he felt the prick of her nails through his shirt. When they finally came up for air, her eyes were glazed. Hungry. Desperate. And sad. So incredibly sad. She laid her head against his chest, her cheek damp from the rain.
“Take me to your place,” she whispered.
Ch. 40 Alanna
Alannastaredoutthepassenger window of Sully’s car, watching raindrops race across the glass as he drove them through the night. She’d meant to tell him about Los Angeles, that she couldn’t possibly stay in Yucca Hills. The words had been on her lips.
But Sully’s eyes had stopped her, so warm and sincere. It was his hand in hers, a lifeline that seemed unbreakable. It was his laughter and the way he pushed up his glasses when he was nervous. It was every damn thing about him.
What was happening to her? How had she become as swoony as a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert?
Sully seemed to sense her mood and didn’t press her with questions. Instead, he turned on the radio and, after a little fiddling, settled on a jazz station. Alanna pulled in a long, steadying breath. This day had been amazing. More than amazing. So good, in fact, she’d been able to push away the necessity of their impending separation until that last rain-dusted dash to the car.
And now they were going to Sully’s house. Alanna closed her eyes. She’d never wanted to turn him into a one-night stand, but the words—take me to your place—had whispered from her soul. She wanted him. She needed him.
Give yourself this night,she told herself.Give him this night, too.In the morning they could have a grownup conversation, and she could explain all the practical, important reasons she needed to go back to Los Angeles. But not tonight.
This night was theirs.
When Sully pulled into his driveway, Alanna opened her eyes, a new resolve swelling within her. With a concerted effort, she banished her sorrow and guilt. There would be time for that when the sun came up.
“We’re here,” he said, his voice both hopeful and unsure. He seemed to be picking up on the heavy churn of her mood.
“Make sure to point out all the rusty nails so I don’t step on any,” she joked.
A small smile quirked the corner of his mouth. “You might be surprised. I spruced up the place since you last saw it.”
As always, Sully came around to her side of the car and opened her door. Offering his arm, he led her to the front door, swung it open, and turned on the lights.
