Frank and Nancy went to the restaurant next to the hotel. They sat with Nancy’s back to the restaurant entrance.

Once they ordered, Nancy asked, “Where’s Joe tonight?”

“He’s off looking for girls,” Frank said. “He thought he’d been deprived since he’s been undercover.”

“That’s typical of Joe, trying to find a cute girl. And I doubt he’ll be disappointed. There are plenty of them here in River Heights.”

“He’ll definitely find all of them.”

Frank watched Nancy. She was leaning back in her chair, fingering the silverware on the table. Her face was sad. He knew she was lonesome without Ned. He hoped Joe’s plan would work.

“Nancy,” Frank said, finally breaking the silence. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Nancy said, trying to smile.

“Nancy, I don’t believe you.” Frank placed his arms on the table. “I know you miss Ned.”

Nancy looked at the table and continued to finger the silverware. Frank saw she was trying to fight back the tears. He reached over to Nancy’s hand and squeezed it.

“It’s okay to miss Ned,” he said gently.

“No, it isn’t. I have to get over him. I need to get on with my life. Ned and I are in the past. I have to look ahead to the future.”

“Nancy, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I don’t think it’ll be that easy. You and Ned have a past that no one can ever top. You and Ned belong together.”

“But it’s not going to happen. Ned doesn’t want to get back with me.” Nancy looked Frank in the eye. “I know we won’t be together again. I need to put my past behind me.”

At that moment, the waiter brought their dinners. As they ate, Frank wondered if Joe’s plan was going to work. He had an uneasy feeling that it was going to backfire.

They were almost finished with dessert when Frank saw Joe and Ned approach the hotel. Frank looked at Nancy. He saw her wipe her mouth with her napkin. He knew he needed to convince Nancy to return to the room with him.

“If you’re done, let’s get out of here.”

“All right.”

Frank and Nancy got to their feet and left the restaurant, after paying the bill. As they stepped outside, Frank said, “I need to get my jacket. It’s starting to cool off a bit.”

“All right.”

“Why don’t you come along? It might take me a minute to find it. Joe was rifling through my clothes earlier.”

“Lead the way,” Nancy said.

Frank and Nancy entered the hotel. Frank called the elevator and they went up to the floor the room was on. When they reached the floor, Frank led the way down the hall to the room.

Reaching the door, Frank unlocked the door and ushered Nancy inside. Once she cleared the door, Frank pulled the door closed. He quickly locked the door.

Frank looked down the hall and saw Joe hurrying toward him. Once Joe reached him, Frank said, “I hope this works.”

“It will.”

* * * * *

Nancy pulled on the doorknob. The door wouldn’t budge. She thought, what is going on? Why is the door stuck? Why is Frank doing this?”

She turned away from the door and stopped. Ned was sitting on the end of one of the beds.