I stared at the girl in front of me, who seemed to be enjoying my confusion. Now that she was sitting there, it was clear that she was a gorgeous woman, with tanned skin and a dusting of freckles to go along with the lovely hair. But I couldn't place her. The orange sweatshirt she was wearing had a large T on it for the university here, but that didn't help me as the only students I know are in Boston. I also couldn't remember any redheads. "I'm failing this aren't I?" I said helplessly.

"Nah, you're fine. It's been a while, and after all we only spent that one memorable night together." She winked while reaching over and running a finger over the back of my hand, making me blush like a fool.

I stammered and tried to speak but couldn't then hung my head in shame, how could I not remember a stunning woman like this? "I'm so sorry, I can't remember." I finally said in embarrassment.

"Ethan." She said clearly, putting a hand under my chin till I looked at her. "I'm joking, it's Blake." She covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. "I'm sorry to tease you like that, but I couldn't resist."

"Oh shit!" No wonder I didn't remember. The memorable night was her huddled in the back seat of my car while her mother and I drove through the snow to get them home. She had been completely bundled up and I hadn't even seen her clearly till the following morning when I saw her for about 30 seconds before I left. "New hair?" I finally remembered; she had been a blonde.

"Yep. Dye job, trying to impress the asshole that just abandoned me," she said, blowing out a puff of air up at her hair.

"Well, if you need my opinion, he did seem like a bit of a dick," I added with a smile.

"Damn, you should have told me that a few weeks ago!" she said with a touch of sarcasm.

"Here's the new food hon!" Lucy said, putting his order on the table. Blake eyed it hungrily.

"Hey, Lucy? Can you please bring me a second order, just like this? As well as some coffee and another fork?" I asked. I knew she'd want some.

"You got it!"

I handed my fork over to Blake. "Here, dig in. We'll start with this one and then finish the other. You look like you need it."

"You sure about that?" she asked nervously.

"Yep, I'm in no rush, and it isn't like I'm going to sit here and have you watch me eat," I said, picking up a piece of bacon till the other fork got there. I couldn't remember the last time I had a meal with a pretty girl. Wait, that was not the purpose of this trip!

"You're a life saver!" Blake said as the she speared an egg yolk and let it mix in with the hash browns. "You know, this is the second time you've saved me when I was stranded, are you following me?" she joked.

"Pure, dumb luck both times, you seem to be on my road trips lately." I said smiling. "Actually, now that I think about it, do you need saving today? I can give you a ride if you are headed somewhere."

"I have no idea where to go. I'm supposed to be with Jerky McDickface on the way to Daytona Beach. I have a reservation there for spring break."

"And?"

"Well, not really in the mood to go there anymore, the atmosphere has been ruined," she explained.

"You have a place around here? I could drive you or drop you at your mom's if you prefer." He suggested.

"Nope, I graduated at the end of fall semester, living at home till I can find a place to move to."

"Well, I could drive you back there if you need. Or to your car if you have one here."

"I took the bus, and I can take one back, I guess. You're not on the hook to get me back." she said dejectedly.

"That doesn't seem like a great time."

"Yep. Pretty lame spring break." she said, moping while chewing another bite.

"Coffee and a fork!" Lucy said as she dropped things off. "Food will be up in just a sec."

"Thanks Lucy!" I called out after her. "Well, do you have any other options?"

"That depends." She said, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Here's the other order!" Lucy deposited another plate of food that the pair started fighting over and sauntered off.

"Thanks again Lucy!" I said to her back as she strode away. "So, what does it depend on?"

"Well, where are you going on your road trip? You did say this was a road trip, right?" she asked with a smile that I knew I was going to have a hard time saying no to.

"Seriously?" I asked, a little shocked at her boldness.

"Ethan, two times you have come into my life. Once, you saved me and mom from being popsicles, and today you appear out of the blue when my life is pretty messed up. I haven't actually met this Karma bitch, but I think she's saying hey go hang out with that Ethan guy," Blake said while taking a bite of the bacon.

"Can you give me a second?" I said nervously, walking quickly to the men's room again. When I got there, I pulled out his phone and sent off a quick text.

E: Dr Merritt, weird thing. I just met a girl on the road trip, she wants to go with me. Yes? No?

I used the bathroom while I waited, damned nerves, and felt my phone buzz while washing up.

DM: Circumstances?

E: She just got dumped at a Cracker Barrel I was eating at on her way to the beach.

This time the answer was almost immediate.

DM: Pay it forward.

E: That is a Yes, right? What if I told you that it was Blake from that Alabama snow story?

DM: If that isn't a joke, then I'd say yes even faster. The universe works in weird ways.

I put my phone away, trying to digest that conversation and went back to the table, where Blake was trying to peel the sodden map from the table. I sat down and looked at her, she stared back, nervously hopeful. "You sure you want to go with me?"

Her smile was worth it. "Yes! Where are we going."

"No idea," I said, mixing a bit of egg and hash browns and scooping it into my mouth. She looked at me with a shocked expression, and I had to smile at finally being able to turn the tables a bit.

"What do you mean by no idea?" she asked, confused.

"I'm just taking a road trip, trying to be spontaneous. So, I have no set destination. I was looking over what is left of this map, trying to pick a direction to go in next." I explained. That didn't sound too insane, right?

She thought about that for a bit, then smiled. "So, this completely spontaneous road trip, that has no end point and has you driving randomly, brought you to this Cracker Barrel at the same day and time that I needed help again?"

"Kinda spooky, right?" I agreed. It really was when you thought about it.

"Nope. Makes me want to go on this trip even more. This is kismet or something." She said with a giant grin.

"Well, then tell me where you want to go," I suggested.

"Nope. We're sticking to your plan, we're doing spontaneous."

"Well, then let's at least make a few choices then. I'm saying no to north due to the snow. So, our options are south and west, or double back to the east."

"I'm not heading anywhere near Florida; I might end up in jail for kicking a certain person's ass," she stated.

"All right, then we go west?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

She held up a canvas bag, "This is all I have, bikini, a few jean shorts and tee shirts. Can we go someplace warm?"

"I like warm," I agreed. "Honestly, I've never been west of Texas, wanna head to the southwest?

Her face lit up like a million-watt bulb, "Yes please! I've never been much of anywhere, so it will be new to me too!

"Well then finish that bacon and we'll get out of here." I looked around and flagged Lucy down, "Can I please get the check?"