Tired and groggy, AJ and Zoey strolled into the hotel followed by Tessa, Brian, Nick, Howie, Kevin, and the bus driver. All AJ could think about was spending his remaining time in North Carolina with Zoey. In fact, he had almost forgotten about reality completely until a harsh female voice cut into his blissful happiness.
"Well, it’s about time! Dopey, how could you be so stupid as to lock yourself in a bathroom?" AJ turned away from Zoey to see Billie Ross and one of her pastel suits standing in front of him. The was pure anger in her green eyes. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder indignantly and crossed her arms.
Zoey apparently saw her, too. "Billie! Nice to see you again! Come here; I owe you something," she said, raising her fist.
She was ready to hit the road manager when AJ stopped her. "Wait, Baby. Let us do this one thing, then she’s all yours." Reluctantly, Zoey agreed and lowered her fist.
AJ turned his attention back to Billie. "Bill, we five have been talking, and we’ve decided that you’re fired," he said with his sweetest smile. He was truly enjoying this.
Billie’s jaw dropped. "What? No…you can’t…my daddy," she stammered.
"I don’t care if you’re daddy runs The Firm, or how you got this job. You’re still fired. We’ll give you some money, and you can catch the next available plane to Orlando," AJ explained.
Zoey tapped him on the shoulder. "Can I?"
"Wait!" Tessa said, stepping forward.
"What?" Zoey clearly didn’t like being interrupted again.
Tessa grinned. "Can I help?"
"Sure. On the count of three. One…two…three!" Together, the two women punched Billie causing her to fall flat on her butt. Her pastel skirt ripped.
Zoey turned to Tessa. "I’m proud of you, Tess."
"Thank you."
"So am I." Brian slinked up behind Tessa and wrapped his arms around her. "I think it’s time we said goodbye."
"No, we’ve just gotten to know each other," Tessa moaned.
Zoey smiled. "I think I’ll leave you two alone." She took AJ’s hand and led him to a quiet corner of the lobby. "So, this is goodbye, huh?"
AJ wrapped his arms around her. "It’s only temporary. Like I said, I’m coming back for you. First sign of a break or the end of the tour, and I’ll be on a plane."
"You promise?"
"I promise." He held up his right hand. "Remember, boy scouts honor."
Zoey laughed. "Ah, just shut up and kiss me."
"Yes, ma’am." AJ pulled her closer and kissed her passionately. Then he abruptly pulled away.
"What?" Zoey asked, confused.
"I never got to give you a tour of the tour bus."
She laughed again, then pulled him into a kiss. This goodbye wasn’t forever; he was definitely coming back.