“I thought you might have,” I teased, nodding my head. I pulled her in for a quick hug. “I had a good time, too.”

I opened her door so she could climb inside the car.

“Hey, I’m going to get our plane tickets today,” I said as Sarai pushed her keys into the ignition. She paused. “Is it cool with you if we fly out on Wednesday night and home Sunday?”

I waited for her to respond for what seemed like a very long time even though it was a few seconds at most.

“Are you sure you want me to go?” she asked.

“Positive,” I confirmed.

“Okay, then those dates work for me.” She smiled brightly, and I wanted to do a little dance at the sight of it. “Let me know how much they cost, and I’ll pay you back.”

“Not a chance in hell,” I said pleasantly, closing her door.

Before I could step away from the car, she’d rolled down her window.

“I’m paying for my ticket,” she said, pointing at me.

“I’m paying for the tickets,” I replied. “You can pay for the magazines we grab at the airport.”

“I don’t buy magazines at the airport. They’re too expensive. I always bring a book.”

“Okay, then,” I said, walking backward. “You can bring a book and I’ll buy a magazine at the airport.”

“No you won’t,” she called back. “I’ll buy it!”

“Good.” I clapped my hands together. “Then it’s all worked out.”

She stared at me for a minute, then started laughing as she turned on her car. “I’m paying for my plane ticket, too,” she yelled as I got farther away.

I gave her a thumbs-down from across the parking lot, then watched as she shook her head at me and pulled out of her parking spot. As soon as she’d driven away, I climbed into my truck and drove home.

Nothing was going to ruin my mood, not even the fact that I’d probably be late for work. I couldn’t believe how fantastic the night had been. How well I’d slept in a bed that wasn’t mine. How good the sex was this morning, even though we both went to great lengths to not let the other person smell our morning breath.

I thought about calling Ani but stopped myself. This thing with Sarai had turned into something too big to discuss with my best friend. Too private and fragile. At some point, I knew that I’d probably go to Ani and Bram for advice, maybe even ask my sister, Kate, for some, but at this point, calling them felt too much like bragging.

I didn’t want to brag about my night with Sarai. I wanted to keep it to myself for just a little while. Just between us.

*  *  *

Work is so boring today.