Quoting Shakespeare - Flying Wrenches (ON HOLD)

3

After the kiss Billy seemed to hold himself back. Maddison didn't feel he was withdrawing from her. She felt the opposite. He began to treat her like a precious thing. She almost felt like the maze had transported them back to the time of Jane Austen's books. The lingering glances he gave her as they finished their lunch. The way their hands brushed against each other as they packed up the basket. It was like building a fire by starting small, only adding small twigs and branches until the fire could handle something bigger.

Tom knew he had made a wise choice when he decided to take some pointers from Jane Austen's writing. If he wanted this budding romance to survive the future he needed to go slow. He needed to show her that he would be there for her no matter what happened or who he really was.

He could tell she had started getting apprehensive earlier when he asked her about her time in the military. He could guess that was where the source of her nightmare came from, but he didn't want to push her beyond her comfort zone. No matter how eager he was to learn everything about her.

After they exited the maze, Tom offered his arm like a proper gentleman. They walked arm in arm back to the car. During the car ride back they discussed movies. He had her in stiches with his impressions. He pulled out everything from Owen Wilson to Chris Evans.

"There's actually one actor I'm fond of that isn't American or English," Maddison admitted as they drove along.

"Yeah, who is that?"

"Shah Rukh Khan, he's pretty big in Bollywood. One of my favorite movies of his is a romantic comedy, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi."

"I'll have to watch it sometime. How did you get started watching Bollywood movies?"

"A guy I served with gave me a few videos to watch. I found myself entranced by the way they told stories. The main characters would meet and get this immediate connection. Sometimes someone or something got in the way at first but they would find a way back to each other because of the strength of their connection. Their song and dance number can be really catchy too."

Maddison thought about why she enjoyed Bollywood movies so much. She supposed that they were similar to Jane Austen's books in the way that they focused on the main characters connecting on a spiritual and emotional level before physical intimacy entered the picture.

The rest of the car ride was quiet. Both Maddison and Tom lost in their own thoughts.

"Damn," Maddison heard Billy mutter under his breath as they neared their building. She looked and saw an unfamiliar car parked out front. As they parked down the street a young woman got out. She stood a little taller than Maddison. Her dirty blonde hair was coifed in a perfect up do. When paired with the designer sunglasses and clothes she had the air of importance. She had a look of irritation as she saw Billy get out of the car. Billy seemed to match her irritation with his own. Maddison wondered what she meant to him.

"You have some explaining to do," the woman said as they came closer. Even with the sunglasses on, Maddison could tell the woman only had Billy in her sights. She felt like she was just background to the impending confrontation.

"Not out here Emma," Billy said through gritted teeth handing her his keys. "Please go in. I will be in shortly." The woman looked down at the keys and back up to Billy before turning to enter the building.

Billy turned to Maddison. His eyes looked at her in apology as he kept beginning to speak but kept stopping himself, trying to find the right words.

"Look, I'll explain everything, but I have to take care of something. I had a wonderful day. I look forward to our dinner," her took hold of one of Maddison's hands and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He let it go and headed into the building after the woman.