She had completely lost herself in the daydream when Bryce placed the check on her table. He had written something on it. His handwriting was terrible. All it said was: Tonight. Outside the diner. 8pm. Yes or no? She circled yes and wrote down her phone number. Finally they were getting somewhere. She made her way outside. Twelve hours until they were finally alone.

***

The day dragged on forever, but at six, she got off work, and started for home. Two hours to get home to the manor and then back downtown to rendezvous with Bryce. Maybe she’d borrow one of her father’s cars. The Land Rover seemed like a good choice, but for the moment, she was walking, and she was walking far. Their house was about about a mile outside downtown Empire, and the walk was almost entirely uphill. With her father out of town on business, she was left to walk home. She didn’t mind though, She was too busy thinking of Bryce. And, if things went really well, she and Bryce could have the house to themselves.

***