Granted this isn’t the way I envisioned today ending, I guess there are worse things than spending a little extra time with Jasper.

—

Titus didn’t lie: the hotel was right around the corner from his shop.

We push through the heavy front door and it’s like we step back in time. Dark wood vintage furniture is placed all around the space. Touches of the original architecture are evident everywhere, from the hand-carved crown molding to the antique chandeliers lighting the space. The casual click of my flip-flops feels completely out of place as we approach the front desk.

“Hello.” An older woman with white hair curled and tucked greets us. Her eyes are warm and welcoming, a pleasant reminder of all the reasons I love this small town so much. “How can I help you tonight?”

“Hi.” I return her kind smile, thankful that if my car had to break down, it did so in a town with a cute hotel and nice people. “Titus sent us over. We need two rooms for the night.”

“Oh no.” Her lips turn downward. “I love Titus, but it’s never good when he has to send you over. Let me see what I can find for you.”

“Thank you so much.” All I want is to take the longest shower imaginable and go to sleep. The sooner that can happen, the better.

“Of course, dear. Let’s see what we have here . . .” She looks away from us and stares at her computer screen as her red-painted nails make quick work of the keyboard. Her eyes narrow as she works, but when her frown deepens, my stomach twists into knots.

“Please don’t tell me you’re booked.” I know they aren’t the only hotel in town, but I really don’t feel like walking to the other options.

“Unfortunately, this is our busy season.” She stops typing and her eyes flicker between me and Jasper. “While we can’t accommodate two rooms, we do have one open if that could work for you.”

One room?

“Ummm . . .” I bite my bottom lip and look at Jasper, unsure of what to say. “What do you think?”

“That’s fine with me if you’re okay with it.”

Am I okay with spending the night in a room with Jasper? Oh yeah. And mysteriously, I’m not so tired anymore.

“Okay, we’ll take it.” I reach for my purse to grab my credit card, but before I can, Jasper is handing her his.

“Jasper! No, you—” I start to protest, but he cuts me off before I can finish my argument.

“I can and I already did.” He looks smug as the woman takes the card from his hand, swiping it without hesitation. “You worry about your car. I have this part covered.”