Vicki stopped in front of the exit to look back at him. She squeezed the key already in her hand. “Thanks,” she said, taking another step toward the sunlight. “But I might want to leave early. And I’m giving my friend, one of the bridesmaids, a ride back. I need my car.”

“I’ll leave whenever you want,” Joe said, almost pleading. “You don’t really want to have to navigate through Annapolis late at night, especially if you’re going to have a few drinks. It’s surprisingly dark once you get away from the cobblestone. I plan to stay sober and, really, I can head back to the hotel whenever.”

He’d said too much too fast, he thought. He was too desperate.

Vicki clutched her car keys and looked at the glass door as she pondered her options. She glanced up at the ceiling, biting her lip.

“Really,” Joe continued, “it’s no big deal. Whenever you and your bridesmaid friend are ready to get out of there, we’ll leave.”

Vicki shrugged and tilted her head. “I guess…I guess that’s fine,” she said, looking in the direction of his face without making eye contact. “I can always call a cab if I need to leave on my own.”

“Okay, then,” Joe said, grinning and using both hands to usher her toward the door. “After you.”

She followed him to a gray sedan in the small parking lot down the street from the inns. He hit the unlock button on his key chain with force but heard nothing. They each pulled the door handle on their side of the car but the vehicle was still locked.

“I don’t think this is your car,” Vicki said, staring at him accusingly.

“Shit. You know, you’re right,” Joe said, laughing nervously. “These rental cars all look the same. I think mine’s a Mercury.”

Joe hit the red button on his key chain, which set off a loud siren just a few cars away. Vicki jumped at the noise, her eyes wide and angry.

“Sorry,” Joe yelled over the noise, quickly hitting the button again to silence the alarm. Her face was still sour. “I should have warned you,” he said softly and apologetically. “I just wanted to find the car. That’s me over there. I’m the Sable.”

They walked to the other gray car and settled themselves in the front seats. Vicki buckled her seat belt and stared out the window. She turned her head so far to the right that Joe couldn’t see either of her eyes, just her ear and the jet-black hair that almost covered tiny pendant earrings.

He started the car as quickly as he could, fearful she might jump out. “Don’t worry. We won’t be late.” She remained silent and clutched the bag in her lap with both hands.

“So,” Joe said, his voice trembling, “you’re a guitar player by night. I know that much. But what’s your day job?”

Vicki kept her eyes out the window as he spoke. He tried to identify her facial expression in the window reflection.