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Whenthe elevator doors opened andLilystepped out,Wyatt'sheart skipped a beat.Hecouldn’t help but wish thiswasa date.Wishthat they were going to his place instead of to a parade and festival with hundreds of other people.
But. . .Peter.
Lilyspotted him, breaking into a smile, the dimple in her left cheek deepening.Gonewas the power suit.Inits stead, she wore a red tank top with white stars atop well-worn form-fitting jeans.Jeanshe’d have trouble ignoring.
“HeyLily, new look?”
“Iwas going for patriotic,”Lilysaid, gesturing to her outfit.
“Yousucceeded.”Andthen some.
Wyattnoticed the young guy working the desk was frowning at them.AsLilyfollowedWyattout to the parking lot, he asked, “Whatgives with the guy at reception?Hewas giving us the evil eye.”
“He’sharmless.Ihope.”
Wyattstopped in his tracks. “Needme to take care of it?”
Seeminglybemused, she feigned a silly, high-pitched voice. “YouTarzan, meJane.”
Gladto see she was more entertained than offended, he puffed out his chest, beating it and let out aTarzan-like yodel, sendingLilyinto a torrent of giggles.
Whenthey reached the truck,Wyattheld open the passenger door, catching a whiff ofLily’sperfume as she squeezed past him.Sizzlingelectricity ran through his veins.Shewassoclose.Allit would take to close the gap was a slight tilt of his head.
Swallowinghard,Wyattshut the door behind her.Oncebehind the wheel, he turned on the radio.TheBossbegan belting from the speakers,Bornin theU.S.A.
Lilyraised the volume, singing along, gesturing forWyattto join in.
Hedid.
Lilylifted a brow. “Youcan sing,” she said, lowering the music.
“Thanks.”
“Imean,reallysing.”
Wyattglanced at her.Lilywas staring at him, as if amazed by the revelation.Hefelt like a high schooler strutting his stuff down the hallway after kissing the prettiest girl in the class.
“Iused to have a band.TheRedRockRebels.”
Lilysmiled. “Catchy.IguessTheRollingStoneswas already taken.”
“Prettymuch.”Wyattlaughed. “We’rehere,” he announced, turning off the radio. “Comeon, let’s do this thing.”
Theywalked three blocks toMainStreet.Thestreets were packed with people totingAmericanflags as the first floats drove by, bikini-clad teenage girls aboard, waving to the crowd.Wyatttook hold ofLily’shand, maneuvering them closer to the curb.
Aconvoy of classic cars drove by slowly, honking their horns.Thatwas followed by theBreckenridgeMiddleSchoolband, playingAmericatheBeautifulas they marched past.Finally, a motorcycle club roared by, their helmets adorned with stars and stripes.Everyonecheered, gradually dispersing.
Wyattled the way to a small stand and paid for two beers, handing one toLily.Twintow-headed boys, eating ice cream cones, much of it on their shirts, went by, their mother warning nearby revelers to stand clear.
“Havingfun?”Wyattasked.
Lilynodded, enthusiastically. “Ifthis isIndependenceDayin small townAmerica,IthinkI’llstay forever.”
Thoughthe words were said in jest, toWyattthey hit home.Therealization dawned on him that as far as he was concerned, he’d like nothing better.
* * *
Jodi’sLoopwas quickly becomingLily’sall-time favorite trail.WhenWyatthad suggested skipping the second parade inFriscoto go hiking before hitting the festival’s concert, she jumped at it.Shewas excited to get out in nature again.WithWyatt.
