Page 31 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

“I don’t know. Back then Ames had Ryder to talk to.” Hope releases a long breath and hangs her head. “Even though this is hard, I am glad that you did what I couldn’t do. I knew we had to tell her about us; I just didn’t have the guts to do it yet. But I’m worried about Ames. She didn’t sound like her usual self. Something must be going on with her and Ryder. I really want to ask her about it, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“That’s not true. She just needs some time to process everything.”

“Her exact words were, ‘I can’t talk to you right now, Hope. Don’t call me. I’ll talk to you when I’m ready.’”

“See? She’ll call you when she’s ready.”

“I feel like I completely ruined her birthday, Shaney. What kind of friend am I?”

“It’s not her birthday yet, so you haven’t ruined anything. And you’re a great friend to be so concerned about her.” I kiss the top of her head. “Amelia will come around, trust me. This is nothing compared to the time when we were kids and I stuck gum in her favorite wig. She didn’t talk to me for a week after that.”

“How’d you get her to talk to you again?”

“I promised to name my firstborn after her.”

Hope glances up at me, her brows high on her forehead. “You did?”

The serious look on her face breaks my composure. “I’m joking! I wouldn’t do such a thing. My firstborn’s going to be named Shane Jr.”

“But what if it’s a girl?”

“That’s easy. Shanella or Shanette—take your pick.”

She wrinkles her nose. “No offense, but Shanella reminds me of salmonella. Which reminds me of Amelia,” she adds with another long sigh. “Do you think it would help if I told herI’llname my firstborn after her?”

“But what if it’s a boy? Don’t tell me… Amelio?”

“That’s not bad,” Hope murmurs. “I think it could work.”

“Amelio Morgan?”

“I was only thinking of the baby’s first name. I don’t know what the last name would be yet.”

“Yet?” I clutch the front of my shirt as if her words struck my heart. “Are you planning on marrying another guy besides me?”

“Shaney! It’s way too early to be talking about marriage. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that a man even wants to be in a committed relationship with me.”

“Not just any man. Me, Shane Morgan.”

She grins. “I kind of like it when you speak caveman. Let me try.” She beats her fists against her chest, then says in a deep voice, “Me, Hope O’Connor.”

My stomach dips to see the sparkle in her eyes. There’s something about this woman that undoes me every time she looks my way. Maybe it’s the pure joy in her smile. Or the fact that she can do something as innocent and playful as pretending to be Tarzan, yet be completely womanly while doing it. I can’t wait to hear her saymyname in that low, sexy voice someday. But for now, I’m content to have her by my side.

Like a scene straight out a Disney movie—yes, I’m well-versed in animated films, too—I pick up one of Hope’s hands and hold it in front of me with her fingers up. I then place mine against hers. As soon as our palms meet, heat spreads from her skin to mine and back again. Our fingers spread apart slowly in unison like they’re part of a dance, one that is unplanned yet perfectly choreographed. When our gazes lock, I know exactly what she wants our next move to be.

Even though she doesn’t say a word, her beautiful baby blues tell me everything. Her gaze flicks down to my mouth, then back up again, darting between my eyes. Questioning, longing, and hoping that I’ll get her message. So, I send her one of my own. The best one I know how…

“Boom, boom, boom,” I murmur as I place an arm around her waist and pull her close. “Boom, boom, boom.”

“I see you’re also fluent in ostrichese, too.”

“I am. Do you like it?”

“It has a certain appeal. Not quite as sexy as caveman-talk though.”

“Oh, that can be remedied.” I lick my lips and try again. “Listen up. Me, Shane, want to kiss you, Hope. Okay?”

She grins. “More than okay.”

---