During Linda’s speech at the lectern his warm eyes held her attention like magnets. Linda only stuttered once, when making her essential argument.  Later she notices him at the hotel bar and overhears him saying, “Sh-sh-she’s s-s-smart.” The other man giggles. Why does this stranger mock her? Her face in flames, she leaves.  On the street Linda shivers. She turns to get her coat upstairs as he steps outside. “Ca-ca-can I help you?” Her heartbeat syncs with his stutter. “I am going for a drink.”  He points at a neon sign down the street. Linda takes his arm, “I’m bu-bu-buying.”

She was more impressed with the coat of arms than the handwriting on the stationary. Of course, she wanted to meet again. She answered days later—not playing hard to get—it took her that long to decide on the color theme. Her letter returned. No such resident. He already moved on? On the phone her girlfriend laughed at her, trying to steer her away from that knight in shining armor. The doorbell rang and roses—one for each day he hadn’t seen her—were delivered “with love.” The card came from a different hotel. New York City this time. Rom-com/to steer/stationary