Page 11 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

His eyes grow wide in horror right before his composure cracks. The sound of his deep laughter fills the car. “I cannot believe you almost got me! And here I was feeling guilty that I might’ve traumatized you.”

“Traumatized? No way. Annoyed and frustrated me? Maybe a little. It’s all good though. I get it, you were a kid. My students do similar things, especially the boys. It’s all part of that crazy phase called puberty.”

“Exactly.” He gives me an easy smile. “I’m glad you understand. Guys are known to do some pretty illogical stuff when they like a girl.”

My mouth falls open. Did Shane just say he liked me?

CHAPTER 6

Shane

Joe Jr.:“Hey Luce, is this guy bothering you?”

Lucy(laughing): “No, no.”

Joe Jr.: “Are you sure? Because it looks like he’sleaning.”

~While You Were Sleeping

I don’t know why Hope’s making such a big deal about my confession. She hasn’t stopped repeating the line, “I can’t believe it!” over and over as we wander the aisles of the store. It comes out more as a mumble under her breath, but I can hear every single word she utters, along with her disbelief.

“Who knew? Certainly not me,” she murmurs to herself as she grabs a box of toothpaste and examines the ingredients. She glances up at me out of the corner of her eye and presses her lips together as if trying to suppress a smile. Her effort fails, however, each time she tries, and she ends up grinning and shaking her head again in disbelief.

By the time our shopping cart’s filled with almost every makeup, hygiene, and toiletry product known to man, my curiosity gets the best of me. I park the cart, then squeeze pastit to stand beside Hope who’s comparing two packs of floss. Waving a hand to get her attention, I ask, “Why is it so unbelievable that I liked you?”

She blinks her pretty blue eyes at me and smiles. “I’m surprised, that’s all. But when you think about it, it makes sense. I was your first exposure to the opposite sex—Ames doesn’t count, of course—and I was over at your house a lot. If you were going to develop a crush on any girl, it makes sense that it was me. I just can’t believe I didn’t see the signs at the time, but the idea that you could’ve liked me is so left field, I wouldn’t have thought to look for signs.”

“But why?” I cross my arms and study her amused expression. “Why would the idea be so left field? I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. You were—still are—a beautiful woman. Not only on the outside, but the inside, too. You always made sure to include me in your and Amelia’s movie nights. You never got mad when I woke you up in the middle of the night. You even laughed at my jokes, including the knock-knock ones, which I’ll admit now weren’t my best material.”

She laughs, then tosses one of the floss packs into the cart and puts the other one back on the rack. “You should give yourself more credit, too. Your jokes were funny—most of them. You could consider retiring the potty humor ones though, unless you’re talking to middle schoolers.”

“I’m being serious, Hope. You’re a great catch. There were plenty of other girls I could’ve had a crush on, but I chose you.”

“Because it was convenient. I had a crush on my chem lab partner junior year, but it was only because we worked together every single day, and he saved my hair once from going up in flames. You should never turn your back on a Bunsen burner, especially when your hair has a mind of itsown,” she adds in a cautionary tone. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s sweet that you liked me, and I’m really touched and flattered, but if Ames had another friend who went over to your house as much as I did, you would’ve liked her instead.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. I read about this all the time. There’s a trope dedicated to this kind of romance; it’s called best friend’s brother. The brother’s usually older, but I suppose it could work with a younger brother, too. I’ll have to see if there are any books like that. Ooh, this could be the theme for our book club next month. I think the girls would love it! Thanks for the idea, Shane!”

Smiling, she pushes the cart down the aisle to check out the toothbrush section, leaving me to scratch my head. How can she talk about my crush on her in such a logical, no-nonsense way? I can’t help but feel offended for my younger self. Despite all the idiotic things he did, that kid had a sensitive heart and deep emotions.

I quickly catch up with Hope, my long strides overtaking hers in no time at all. Grasping her by the elbow, I turn her toward me. “I don’t think you understand. I really liked you, Hope. Not because it was convenient, or it made sense. I liked you for you.”

Her expression softens. “I believe you, Shane.”

“Good.” My hand falls to my side as I suddenly feel shy. I’m usually pretty level-headed on the job and not prone to showing my emotions. Apparently, I still have a knack for irrational behavior or sleep deprivation has drastically lowered my defenses. Either way, it’s too late to take my words back. I stuff my hands into my pockets and try to play it cool. “That’s all I wanted to say on behalf of the boy once known as Shaney.”

She reaches out and squeezes my arm in a show of what Ithink is more sympathetic than pitying. “Please tell Shaney I’m sorry I didn’t take his feelings for me seriously. He was and still is a very sweet and sincere guy. My teenage self and my adult self are both honored to know he liked me.”

“All right, all right. We can stop with the third person talk. Go back to your toothbrush selecting. I’m glad you realize how important dental hygiene is for your health.”

Hope rewards me with a sweet smile. “Yes, Shaney.”

Her lighthearted, teasing tone hits me straight in the cheeks. My face feels as bright red as the light-up kiddie toothbrushes we’re standing next to. I can’t stop grinning. If Hope wants to call me Shaney for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t object.

I swallow hard. Did I just say,for the rest of my life?

I pretend to be engrossed in the variety of dental products before me, but all I can think about is how Hope may be the answer to my prayers.

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