Page 51 of Mountain Bean Dream
I pointed to the last room. Beyond that, there was a grove of coniferous trees which could make it look like we were on a forest moon.
Before we could pose, Jeremy pulled out a blaster from an inside pocket and handed it to me. “I was pretty sure you wouldn’t have one. If we can take off your sling, you could hold the blaster in your left hand for the picture. What do you think?”
I stared up into his eyes, desperate to brush away the wavy locks that fell effortlessly across his forehead. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“Let me help.” Slowly, he loosened the strap on the sling, giving it enough slack that I slid my arm out. “Your prop.”
“I’m impressed. How do you have this?” I held the gun in my left hand with as tight a grip as I could hold.
“Every year, there’s a Comic-Con type of convention in Edmonton and Calgary. I go to both in this costume.”
“You go to a cosplay event?” My voice pitched an octave. “That’s probably the coolest fact I know about you. I didn’t know you were a closeted nerd.” Without thinking, I reached up to his forehead and brushed away the hair, all the while never unlocking my connection with him.
Sage cleared her throat and we both turned. “Alright you two, on the count of three.” Counting backward, she then snapped the picture.
“Can you send those to me please?” I asked, returning to focus on Jeremy.
“Of course. They’re magical.” She pocketed her phone. “I’ll send them later tonight. I’m running late.”
“I’m so sorry. Go. And thanks again.”
She gave me a wave and hopped into her car.
Jeremy walked over to the side of the motel where he’d set the sling down so it wouldn’t be in the picture and brought it over. “Stand still.”
Expertly, and like he was handling the most delicate item in the world, he positioned the sling so I could slip my arm back in, and then, reaching around my back, he tightened it so it was the perfect support.
“All good?” He was inches from my face, close enough to smell a hint of mouthwash and body wash infused with Jeremy the man’s unique intoxicating scent
“Never better.”
A smile that could light up a darkened room greeted me, and a sparkle danced in his eyes, although I attributed that to the streetlamp.
“Ready to go, Princess Molly?”
“Always, Sans Solo.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jasper Pizza was busy, but to my total surprise, not one person was dressed in costume.
Eyes stopped staring at their menus and instead focused on us when we walked through the doors. I squirmed a little under my turtleneck and whispered, shielding my lips from the gawkers, “We’re not going to be the only ones dressed like this, are we?”
“Nah.” Jeremy, totally oblivious to all the stares (or he just didn’t care) glanced around as he led us to a booth near the window. “More will show up as the trivia event time gets closer.”
“I hope so.” Trying to brush off the weird looks, I followed Jeremy across the restaurant, keeping my head down as I walked.
“This is a better spot for the trivia as we have great access to the TV screen.”
Sure enough on my right side, there was a screen showing a football game.
“They’ll switch over?”
“Yep.”
I checked the battery level on my phone. “I have 67%. Is that enough?”
“More than enough. They do this old school.”