Chapter 9: Follow that Car!

Tommy and Kim, completely stuffed after their large dinner, strolled casually down the beautiful, tree-lined streets of Little Italy. As they walked, they talked mostly about the architecture of the homes and businesses, which were an eclectic mixture of traditional Old World and contemporary California styles. It was a welcome break from the heavier, emotional topics they discussed while at BellaRosa's. Every so often, they would stop to look in the window of a shop or gallery, comment on the wares displayed within, and then continue on.

They became so engrossed in their conversation that they never realized that they were being followed by Cassidy and Devin, with camera in tow as always. Periodically, the pair had to resort to hiding behind trees or ducking around corners to keep from being seen, but all in all, it was surprisingly easy to keep tabs on their otherwise very observant science teacher.

Before setting out, Tommy mentally plotted a course around the neighborhood as to end up back at his Jeep at the end of the route. He found himself having to walk with his hands shoved deep in his pockets so he wasn't tempted to take Kim's. Once he led her through the crowd and out of the restaurant, his excuse for holding her hand was no longer valid, and he was forced to let go.

Neither of them could believe how quickly they seemed to have picked up where they left off thirteen years ago. Now that the skeletons were out of the closet, the ease and depth with which they always used to communicate had returned in full force, without all of the awkward silences that plagued them earlier in the evening.

Tommy had to remind himself that although it felt like old times, Tuesday morning Kim was going to board a plane to go back to Florida. It was possible he might not ever see her again, but he didn't want to think about that. For now, he was trying to work up the courage to ask Kim to accompany him to his cousin's wedding the following day. Asking her to dinner tonight to catch up was a reasonable excuse to spend time together, because it didn't necessarily have to mean they were on a date. They weren't. But Tommy wasn't sure if it would be somewhat presumptuous for him to suggest that they see each other a second consecutive night, especially in the context of being his guest at a wedding reception. That wasn't going to stop him, however. He just had to figure out the best, most casual way to bring it up. And it had to be soon, because the Jeep, and therefore the end of their evening, was just up ahead. That meant he had only about twenty minutes left, or risk having Kim walk out of his life for a second time.

As they approached the vehicle and climbed in, Tommy took a deep breath and decided it was now or never. "So, Kim, what are your plans for the rest of your stay in Reefside?"

"Oh, I'm not sure. I hadn't really thought about it." Well, that was something of a little white lie. I was sort of hoping to spend it with you. "What about you? What's on your weekend agenda?"

"That's kind of what I was hoping to talk to you about." Here goes nothing. "I really am supposed to go to my cousin Tracy's wedding tomorrow night. I didn't make that up, and for some reason, my mother is being fairly insistent that I not go alone. So I was wondering if you'd like to go with me, since you're going to be here. That way, I will have told Carla the truth." Tommy thought he sounded just as nervous right then as he did when he asked her out for the first time at sixteen. He sent up a silent 'thank you' for the darkness and kept his eyes glued to the road so she wouldn't see the anxiety he was sure was written all over his face.

Yes! "Tommy, I'd love to, but I didn't bring anything I can wear to a wedding."

"Oh, I think that the greatest shopper of all time could find something back at the mall if she really tried. On me, of course."

"No way, I'll pay for my own dress!"

"Kim, I can't ask you to do that. You'll be doing me enough of a favor by agreeing to go. Besides, it's an evening wedding. Mom says it's pretty formal. A dress like that could cost a lot of money."

"Not if you know how and where to shop, but I'll make you a deal. I'll let you pay for the dress, but I'm buying the shoes and accessories." She gave him her best pouty look, leaving no room for discussion.

"OK, I know when I'm beaten. We seem to be making a lot of deals tonight, don't we?"

"Whatever I have to do to get my way..." Kim was only teasing. She still knew just how to bait him.

Both of them felt a similar disappointment as downtown Reefside, and subsequently, the Marriott, came into view, though it was offset by the knowledge that they would be seeing each other again the following night. Tommy pulled into a parking space not too far from the side door of the hotel and hopped out, going around to the passenger side to help the petite Kimberly out. He knew the last thing she needed was assistance getting out of a Jeep, but he was raised a gentleman, and things like that were second nature. It was for that same reason that he decided to walk her to her door.

The blue Dodge Neon SXT had no trouble keeping pace with the Dr. Oliver's driving. Cassidy wove in and out of traffic, her one-track mind fixated on getting all the juicy dirt on their teacher's Friday night. Her trusty sidekick leaned out the window, hanging on for dear life while trying to catch their entire route on film. When the trail they were following led them into the Marriott parking lot, Cassidy felt her adrenaline surge. "Devin, look! They're going to a hotel for a romantic, clandestine tryst! This is going to be the story of the year!"

"I don't know, Cass. Do you think we have the right to intrude on Dr. O's personal life like this? We don't have all the facts." As always, he was the voice of reason and conscious.

And as always, she didn't listen to a word he said. "Facts? Who needs Facts? All we need is gossip and speculation! Now come on, make sure you get some good footage of them actually going into the hotel."

Devin knew better than to argue with her when she was that determined.

Kimberly has always tried her best to be a strong, independent woman ever since the pregnancy incident. She knew she didn't need a man to be happy, but she couldn't deny how good it had felt to be treated like a lady all evening. Tommy always did know how to make her feel feminine and special without patronizing her or acting like she was his trophy. It just came as natural to him as breathing.

She fished her keycard that would let them in the side door of the hotel out of her cluttered purse. As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, she wondered if he would try to kiss her goodnight, or if maybe she should be the one to kiss him. Tommy was nothing if not shy about physical signs of affection. At least he used to be. Kim could probably count on both hands the number of times they kissed when they were dating. On the occasions they did, they were always very brief and closed-mouthed. She used to dream about the two of them sharing deep, passionate kisses, but she knew he was too scared to make a move like that. Many times, she thought about being the one to initiate it because she was the less timid and more romantically experienced of the couple, but she didn't want him to think she was too forward. Now, after spending the evening with him all these years later, she found those same thoughts returning in full force. Whoa! Slow down girl, you're getting little ahead of yourself, aren't you? Just because he forgave you for what you did to him, doesn't mean he forgot. Probably the last thing he wants is to get involved with you again.

A few seconds later, they reached room 243. Kimberly slid the keycard into the reader, and the telltale click signaled that the door was unlocked. She briefly considered inviting Tommy in, but then thought better of it. That would be too much for the first night.

Turning around to face him, she could tell he also must have felt the same uncertainty about what his next move should be.

"So, what time's the wedding?"

"My mom wants us there by six."

"Correction. Your mom wants you there by six. She doesn't know I'm coming. Do you think she'll mind? I am the girl that broke her baby's heart." For the first time, Kim considered the fact that she would have to face Mr. and Mrs. Oliver again after what she did to Tommy. They would never know the whole story, so they might not be as forgiving as he was. She knew how protective Laura Oliver was of her only son.

"It was thirteen years ago. I'm over it, and I'm sure they are too. They always liked you, Kim. They'll be thrilled to see you again." Tommy planned to call his Mom in the morning to give her the news. Without divulging any personal details, he would explain to her that Kimberly had some problems when she was in Florida that caused her to break up with him. Besides, having her accompany him didn't mean that they were a couple again. She still lived on the opposite side of the country. He knew that Mom would just be happy that he was not coming alone

"If you say so. Well, I'd better get to bed. I have a big day of shopping ahead of me tomorrow." The tension was starting to get the best of her, as evidenced by her constant fidgeting and sweaty palms.

Tommy stood shifting his weight from one foot to the other, eyes downward, and hands stuffed deeply in his pockets again. "It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Do you need me to go with you?"

"No, I could never shop with you around. You're too impatient at the mall. I'll go myself so I can take my time. When do you want me to be ready?"

"It will take about an hour or so to get to my parents house, so I guess I'll pick you up at four forty-five. It's only about twenty minutes to the reception hall from their place." Tommy dug his wallet out of his pocket and pulled out a Visa Gold card. "Here's my credit card to pay for the dress. You might have to say you're my wife if they give you any trouble about using it."

And that would be a bad thing, why? Stop it! She reluctantly took the card. "Believe me, I know all the tricks. You don't have to do this, you know. I have the money."

"I know, but I want to. Don't worry about the cost, just get something you really like."

"Thanks. This trip sure has been full of surprises. I promise not to spend too much."

"Don't worry about it. I trust you. Do you have something to write down my cell phone number with?"

Kim rooted through her handbag until she produced a pen and her checkbook. "Shoot."

"It's…uh, 815-555…uh…7432. Wait! No, 7342. 815-555-7342. Sorry, I don't call myself very often." Tommy grinned sheepishly at her. His forgetfulness strikes again.

"Got it. I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then." Kim was suddenly reminded of the kiss issue, and her jitters returned.

"Um, yeah, at four forty-five. That gives me plenty of time to get a few things done in the morning. I have to meet with a group of my students to go over an assignment with them." It was more or less the truth. Now he really had to reconsider letting Kim in on the Ranger thing. I'll see how tomorrow night goes.

"Have fun. I'll be ready when you get here. Goodnight." She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly turning to enter her room.

"Kim?" I can't end tonight just like that.

She spun around to face him again, embarrassed at her apparent eagerness. "Yes?"

"Thanks for tonight, and for agreeing to come with me tomorrow." Summoning up all the courage he could muster, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze, then leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight." He was disappointed in himself for not kissing her on the lips, but it just didn't seem like the right thing to do…yet.

Kim was disappointed as well, but she could understand why he wouldn't want to push the envelope on their first night out together in thirteen years. Then again, maybe he simply doesn't want to kiss me that way. It's so hard to tell with Tommy. "My pleasure. Goodnight." And with that, she gave him a shy smile, then stepped into her room, closing the door behind her.

Tommy stood in the hallway staring at Kim's door, mentally replaying the highlights of their evening for a moment before tossing his keys in the air, turning on his heel, and taking off back down the stairs with a renewed spring in his step.