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Our time alone was drawing to a close.  So I decided to take advantage of the moment.  I turned my head to stare at Kookie’s lovely profile.  My eyes drank him in.  How extraordinary that I was spending a day in the company of the most handsome man in all the world! But it wasn’t his outward beauty that drew me most to him.  It was the force of the personality behind that face.  I knew it for sure when his eyes connected with mine a moment later, and I felt the zing of it all the way to my toes.  Then he smiled at me, and my head spun.  That was definitely the most gorgeous grin in the entire world.  Though, Sanduni and Sarah probably would have argued with me.  I smiled thinking of them.  I bet they too were having an extraordinary time today.

—

The Uber had finally come.  Sarah was both disappointed – she was no longer alone with Tae – and relieved – perhaps she would fully thaw now.  Tae put his seatbelt on, and then he reached his arm out to slide it around her and pull her as close as their seatbelts would allow.  She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes.  She inhaled.  Tae smelled of fresh air and masculinity.  She sighed with bliss.  His hand was rubbing her arm under the blankets she’d piled up over them.  She would happily stay here forever.  Safe in the circle of Tae’s arm.

Just then he spoke.  “Driver, we need to stop somewhere for coffee and a quick breakfast, but then we need a ride straight to Soldier Field.”  Tae was studying the map on his phone.  “Looks like we’re going to pass a Starbucks up ahead.  Can you just drop us off and circle the block?  We’ll get something to go.”

The man nodded.  “Certainly, sir.  But if you wouldn’t mind – either pay me before you leave the car, or leave the lady with me.”

There was something about that request that made Tae uneasy.  Why?  He glanced at the man’s face in the rearview mirror.  Tae had learned a long time ago to live by his instincts.  So, although the man’s request was reasonable, Tae decided to follow his gut.  

He picked up his phone and glanced at it.  “Oh!  Change in plans,” he exclaimed.

The car had come to a stop in traffic.  Tae unbuckled his seat belt and Sarah’s too.  She gathered her blankets when he glanced at her.  

“We’re getting out here.  Our friends are waiting around the corner for us.  How much do we owe you?”

The driver answered, and Tae quickly paid him before he and Sarah jumped out of the car and disappeared down the sidewalk.  

Sarah turned towards Tae.  “What’s going on?” 

“I don’t know.  All the sudden, I was getting a major creep vibe from that guy.  Maybe it was just my overactive imagination, but I was suddenly seeing the craziest scenarios.”

“Like what?”

“Like him kidnapping you and holding you for ransom.”  Tae’s lips quirked.  “Absurd.  Right?”  His brow furrowed.  “Still.  Something was wrong.  I just didn’t feel right.  And I’ve learned to trust that feeling.”  Tae looked around.  “Now.  Let’s find some breakfast.  Quick.”

They strolled down the block to a little breakfast joint.  They quickly ordered two cups of steaming tea and some eggs, bacon, and pancakes.  A few minutes later, Sarah watched Tae digging into his breakfast while she sipped the warm liquid and felt her insides thawing at long last.  Tae glanced up at her while he chewed a big bite of pancakes.  

“Sarah, eat your eggs.  They’ll warm you up too, and we need to leave in a couple minutes.”

She nodded and tucked into her food.  She sighed.  Her time alone with Tae was drawing to a close.  She decided to make the most of it.  She intently studied his face, memorizing every detail, while she finished her food.