Stavros was busy tending bar when she walked through the Colorado Springs Hotel lobby, past the hotshots and Darby. The beige walls and patterned carpet faded easily into the background of groups of friends holding beers and chatting about things most people would never experience, and the people faded easily behind the sight of her.

Darby didn’t notice me or Naomi walking across the room; instead, she remained head down, checking a family into the system, pleasant but hurrying to get to the three families behind them.

I took a few steps back, stopping in front of the elevators just as she rounded the corner, pausing for less than a second, surprised to see me standing there with a grin.

Her jeans hugged her curves, her white V-neck tee was just a tad see-through, her olive-green twill jacket making her look just tough enough to remind me who she was, even with her eyes done and her hair curled and shiny. I wanted to touch it.

“Hey,” I said, pressing the button with my thumb. “I … you look … wow.”

A faintly familiar tingle in my stomach rose up to my chest and throat, and I swallowed it before the elevator arrived, and we stepped inside.

Why isn’t she reacting? Does she hate me?

“You okay?” I asked.

She blinked, looking down at her clothes. “I hadn’t realized this choice would leave you speechless.”

“You look kind of pissed. I’m not great with words. You just look amazing.”

“No, it’s nice. I’m not pissed. That’s just my face.”

I spit out a laugh, shaking my head seconds before the doors swept open. I held her hand in mine and led her into the hallway like it was the most natural thing in the world.

She let me.

I unlocked the door and held it open, gesturing for her to come in. The table in the corner was pulled out, an extra chair added to the two place settings.

“Real plates?” she said, walking over and touching the white ceramic.

I shrugged. “I borrowed it.” I’d been at it all day. For you. Because you deserve it.

“From who?”

“Taylor’s girlfriend. She works at the Bucksaw Café. She also let me borrow their kitchen.”

Her eyes scanned the napkins, the silverware, the vase and single round flower so vivid purple she clearly didn’t think was real until she touched its small, soft petals. “What is it?”

“Uh … well … I was going to get you a tiger lily. Have you seen Peter Pan?”

“I don’t watch a lot of kid movies. I was outside shooting things when I was little.”