Page 27 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

Adam Sr.’s shoulders droop in disappointment. “It figures a woman as beautiful and kind as you are, Ms. O, would be taken already. I’ve heard a lot about you from Adam; he shows me your social media posts all the time. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet in person sooner. It’s been hard juggling everything on my own since… you know.”

I wince as his tone grows somber. Regret floods my heart to have thought poorly of Adam Sr. Who knows what he’sbeen through? Maybe his wife left him to join the circus, or worse. My annoyance with him drops a few notches.

“I completely understand,” Hope replies. “I’m sorry it’s been so hard. You’ve done a great job with Adam. I can see where he gets his sparkling personality from. I have a feeling I’ll remember him for years and years to come.”

“You will?” Adam Jr. pipes up. “I will too, Ms. O! Can I get a selfie with you?”

“Sure.”

Hope stands beside Adam Jr. as they pose for a photo. The preteen then tells his dad to stand with Hope while he takes a picture of the two of them. I have to bite my tongue when Adam Sr. wraps an arm around Hope’s waist like they’re prom dates. The guy sure has some gall to get so close to her when I’m standing five feet away. I have half a mind to photobomb their picture, but they’re done before I can squeeze myself in between them.

“Thanks, Ms. O! You’re the best.” Adam then jerks his head in my direction and remarks, “When you get tired of your boyfriend, you should date my dad. Then the two of you can get married and you’ll be my stepmom!”

Adam Sr. laughs. “That’s not a bad idea, son. The offer’s open if you ever change your mind. No offense to you, buddy.” He winks at me, looking a little too giddy, before he tells his son, “Come on, Adam, it’s time for lunch. It was nice to meet you, Ms. O.”

“You, too, Adam.”

Adam Sr. bids me goodbye with a curt nod. “Nice meeting you, Shawn.”

“It’s Shane!” I call out to his back as he and his son walk off. “Shane, not Shawn!”

My chest rises and falls with every breath I heave. I have to remind myself of the second greatest commandment in theBible, so I don’t let my indignation get the best of me. The fact of the matter is that I’m the one here with Hope, not Mr. No Offense To You, Buddy. I straighten my posture and try to be the bigger man. This might be the one time when I wish I was an ostrich, so I could be two feet taller. Having a mating call wouldn’t hurt either.

“Boom boom boom,” I mumble under my breath.

Hope places a hand on my arm. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“Were you trying to sound like an ostrich?”

“What? No, of course not.” One glance at her smiling face shows she doesn’t believe me. I sigh and admit, “Maybe a little.”

Her smile grows wider. “Are you jealous, Shaney?”

“Jealous?” I scoff loudly. “Why would I be jealous? I can handle a little competition.”

“Competition? Who said anything about competing? In case you couldn’t tell, I’m not looking to be Adam’s stepmom or his dad’s girlfriend.”

“But you didn’t exactly turn down Adam Sr.’s offer.”

“I didn’t need to. You already told him who you are.”

“Who I am?” My own words,I’m Shane, Hope’s boyfriend, along with their territorial tone, come back to me. “Right, I did.”

“And you didn’t sound at all like a caveman when you said it,” she jokes. “Are you sure you aren’t jealous?”

“Okay, maybe I am a little.” I throw up my hands in disgust. “I can’t believe he kissed you. I mean, who goes around kissing women’s hands these days?”

“It surprised me, too. I don’t think any man’s ever kissed my hand before. It’s kind of nice to see that chivalry’s not dead.”

I narrow my eyes, unamused. “Does that mean you enjoyed it?”

Her expression sobers. “Not in the least. I can’t wait to wash my hand. In fact, I’ll go right now.”

“Hold on.” I reach for her elbow to stop her from leaving. There’s an important matter that I need clarified. One that’s even more important than washing off any cooties that Adam Sr. left on Hope’s skin. “I have a question for you.”

“Yes?”

---