“Didn’t I tell you it would be?”

“Best side trip ever.”

Dylan smiled proudly.

Griff returned the wallet and keys he’d been holding for them. Dylan slipped Griff some Ben Franklins. They exchanged goodbyes and Joy ran to her car. She could hear Dylan on her heels. When they reached the car, she tossed him the keys. She was buzzing, so high on adrenaline that she knew she wouldn’t be able to focus on the road. She wanted him to drive fast, and she wanted to eat. Hamburger, shake, fries, and a whole freaking apple pie. She was starving.

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

BEFORE

Dylan

Marble Canyon, Arizona, to Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dylan cut the engine in the Hotel Albuquerque parking lot and angled his body toward Joy. She slept beside him. It was after three in the morning and he didn’t want to wake her. She’d been so amped on adrenaline; they’d both been. The jump had been unbelievable, and they’d talked nonstop about it and a whole lot of other meaningless shit as he pushed the speed limit toward Albuquerque. He’d promised yesterday to get them here by today. She wanted to shop in Old Town and he had a gig in eight hours. He was working on two nights without sleep and hoped to get in a few hours of shut-eye. He almost envied her for the zzzs she got these last few hours.

They’d found an all-night diner around midnight and gorged on steak and eggs and shakes. Giddy, Joy had opened her list, and with dramatic flourish crossed out do something dangerous. She then ordered a sundae to celebrate and insisted they share.

Dylan loved witnessing another new-to-him side of Joy. Carefree, bubbly, and into him. She’d been fascinated when he talked about the music he wrote and to whom he’d sold his songs. She’d promised to buy every track. He might not be singing the words or playing the chords, but he dug knowing she’d be listening to his lyrics and hearing his notes. She’d remember him after their trip.

He’d matter to her.

Not that he should care.

He didn’t care, he corrected.