Page 17 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

Shane’s adorable mind-blown expression makes me want to smile, but I tell myself this is no laughing matter. “Almostbeing the key word. Need I remind you that it was Ryder who kept putting off the wedding date? I know we’re supposed to love our enemies, but I still haven’t found it in me to forgive him for doing that to Ames. Why propose if you’re not going to follow through?”

“Maybe he felt pressured? Amelia can be a bit—how should I put it—bossy?”

“It was a rhetorical question, Shaney.”

“And that was a rhetorical answer that I gave you. Anyhow, in the words of someone wise I know—don’t knock something until you’ve tried it.” He nudges my knee with his and shoots me a droll smile. “Loving your enemies can be kind of fun and satisfying.”

“Fun? How?”

“There’s that verse in Romans that says something like if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he’s thirsty, give him water to drink. When you do those things, you heap coals of fire on their head. It’s like saying, ‘Ha, take that!’, but in a loving way.”

I try hard to keep a straight face, but Shane looks so proudof himself as if he just said the perfect punchline to a joke. Which I suppose he kind of did. There’s really no better answer to anything than an applicable Bible verse. “How are you so wise?”

He sighs and shakes his head dramatically. “So, you think I’m gorgeous, cute, sweet, hilarious,andwise? I can’t take credit for what the good Lord made, but I’ll pass on the compliment.”

I don’t even try to stop my eyes from rolling. “I meant that you’re pretty wise for someone your age. Guys in their twenties, or at least the ones I’ve known, don’t always have their priorities straight.”

“You make it sound like I’m from a different generation. We’re only three years apart. I’m a full-grown adult just like you. I earn a living and pay my bills on time. I’m saving up for my own place, too, although at the rate that the housing prices are rising in the Bay Area, it’ll probably be a cozy one. Unless I move to the Grand Canyon State.”

“Whoa, what? You want to move to Arizona?”

Shane’s smile widens, showing off a set of pearly whites that look even brighter in the sunlight. “I’m starting to consider it. I hear they have great places to hike and multiple species of cacti. Not to mention, an abundance of bugs.”

“I forgot how much you liked bugs when you were a kid.” I shudder involuntarily at the mention of creepy crawlies. “But seriously, where is this coming from? You can see bugs at the zoo or museum. You don’t need to uproot your whole life to see them.”

“Sure. But there’s also the fact that someone I like lives in Arizona. And I wouldn’t mind being able to see her more often.”

“You have a friend who lives there? I didn’t know—oh!” It dawns on my shocked brain that Shane is referring to me.I’mthat someone he’d like to see more of. How do I know this? Because he’s placed his arm along the back of the bench and he’s leaning—again! And this time, there’s a look in his hazel eyes that I recognize. It’s the same look that used to be there when he was thirteen. A look of longing and vulnerability that makes me realize that Shane didn’t only have a crush on me when he was a teenager, he has a crush on me now.

Shane Morgan likes me!

“It’s you, Hope,” he remarks, confirming my suspicion, once and for all. “I’m really enjoying our time together, and I’d like more of it. I know it may sound like I’m making an impulsive decision?—”

“I would have to agree with you on that point,” I cut in gently, “but go on.”

He holds my gaze, unblinking. “I make split-second decisions all the time in my work. I arrive on the scene, assess the situation, and make the call that’s best for the patient. There’s no time for me to second-guess myself. You could call me an expert in spontaneous decision-making. So, trust me when I say I’ve assessed the situation and I’m making the best call.”

“That’s, um, great.” My heart pounds as I manage an uneasy smile. “The thing is, I have complete faith in your abilities as an EMT. You totally look like you could carry someone out of a burning building if you had to or bandage a wound or do CPR. But relationships are a completely different beast.”

“Well, I usually leave the carrying to the firefighters, but I am trained in stitching wounds and mouth-to-mouth. Although, the focus now is on hands-only CPR because it keeps the blood circulating better when you don’t have to stop and give the patient rescue breaths. So, no more mouth-to-mouth.”

Those three words inexplicably draw my attention to Shane’s mouth, and I can’t help noticing how supple his lipsare… which is so not the point of this conversation. I swallow hard and force my eyes upwards.

“Do I sense a hint of disappointment?” he asks.

“Huh? About what?”

“That mouth-to-mouth is no longer the preferred method of resuscitation. But don’t worry, I can make an exception for vacation associates.”

My mind goes blank. I want to give a witty comeback, but I have no words. How can Shane joke at a time like this? And vacation associates with an S? How many girls does he go on trips with? And why is that any of my business?

A couple of deep breaths later, and I finally have enough oxygen to my brain to respond. Softening my tone, I decide to speak the truth. “Shaney, you’re an amazing guy. You have such a big heart—I mean, you literally save people on a regular basis.”

“It’s mostly giving first aid. Although I did deliver a baby on the side of the road once when I was off duty.”

“See? You helped bring life into this world when you weren’t even working! Not only that, you already know how handsome, smart, and funny I think you are.”

“I believe the exact words you used were gorgeous, cute, sweet, hilarious, and wise.” He shoots me a cheeky grin. “But, please, go on.”

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