Page 34 of Plus One

Monique laughed—genuine, warm. “Tommie doesn’t take no for an answer.” She waved a hand over herself. “You see where I am right now.”

“So, you’re saying I should be thanking him?”

“Tomayto-tomahto.” Monique smiled around another bite of alcapurria.

They ate. The silence settled between them like the fritters, warm, uncomplicated, and satisfying. Outside, a group passed by singing, someone strumming a guitar.

“Can I ask you something?” Monique said.

“Yeah.”

“Why’d you give me that room? This morning. At the hotel.”

Maurice considered the question. “You were there first.”

“That’s it?”

“Should there be more than that?”

“Most people wouldn’t have.”

“I’m not most people.”

She studied him. “You don’t say much, do you?”

“I say what needs saying.”

“I respect that.”

He took a sip of his drink. “This is… interesting. What is it?” He tried it again. Sweet and sour and something else he couldn’t name. He made a face.

“Tamarindo.” She laughed—real laughter this time. “Hate it?”

“It’s not what I expected.”

“Nothing about today is what I expected.”

Maurice understood that feeling completely. His phone buzzed. The 2000 alert. It was already eight o’clock, and he hadn’t noticed the passage of time. He silenced the alert.

They finished eating and walked back to the hotel slowly, holiday lights and the ordinary streetlights illuminating their path.

The lobby was busy when they returned. At the elevator, Maurice asked, “What floor?”

Monique pressed the button for four.

“Oh.” He looked surprised. She did not.

The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside, and for a moment, neither spoke.

“I’m in 410,” Monique said, leaning against the wall, relaxed, casual.

“We’re neighbors?”

“Seems like it.” She was playful again, and Maurice was grateful.

The elevator was small, and neither of them worked to fill it with words. The doors opened on four, and they walked down the hallway together, stopping between their doors.

Monique pulled out her key card. “Thanks. For today. For walking with me.”