Suddenly, the elevator made that ding! sound that elevators do when you’ve reached your destination, and the doors began to open. A little old lady stood there holding a black poodle in her arms. When she saw the tense tableau that Anthony and Natalie made, he standing over her in a protective gesture, and she cowering on the floor, the little old lady backed away from the elevator, muttering, “I think we’ll take the stairs today, Toto…”

For a moment Anthony was sure Natalie was going to leave, too. The second she gathered her wits about her, and pried her stunned, wide-eyed gaze away from his, her immobility would turn to flight and he would be left alone again.

For some reason he couldn’t understand, though, he really didn’t want her to leave. That was the most important thing, the only thing on his mind.

The words left him before he could stop himself: “Please don’t go, Natalie.”

She remained on the floor, looking up at him. She blinked twice, then said, “Give me one good reason I should stay.”