He locked eyes with her and smiled again. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. Really.”

“I’m such an idiot.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I am.”

He chuckled. “Well, you’re my idiot.” He looked around. “I’ll grab a cab. I’m sure the driver will know where the consulate is.”

As he started to raise his arm, she said, “Oh, no.”

“What?”

“I don’t have any other ID on me. Since we were together, I didn’t think I’d need my wallet. My driver’s license…it’s in the car. I’ll need that to prove who I am, won’t I?”

It took all his will to suppress a groan.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Since I had my passport, I thought that would be enough.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry about it? We need it.”

“I know.” He paused for a moment. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll go back and get it, while you find out where the consulate is. We’ll meet…” He looked around. There was a restaurant across the street with a bar that spilled out onto a patio. He pointed at it. “Over there. You can grab a drink while you wait.”

“Do I look like I need a drink?”

“I think we both do,” he said, giving her an encouraging smile. “Now which bag should I look in?”

“The red one,” she said, after a moment’s hesitation. “In the pocket on the side.”

He gave her a hug and a kiss. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

As he started to move away, she pulled him back.

“I love you,” she said, kissing him again.

“I love you, too,” he told her. “Now stop worrying. It’ll all be fine.”

“I know it will.”

As Alan crossed back into the States, he explained to the officer what had happened, hoping that maybe the guy would tell him just to bring her through. What he got instead was a confirmation that a trip to the consulate was in their future.

By the time he reached their car, nearly thirty minutes had passed since he left Sara by the restaurant. Anxious to get back, he immediately unlocked the trunk and popped it open.