Page 40 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

“I already did my research. I can transfer my teaching credential to California without having to take any extra classes.”

“That’s awesome! But are you sure? You’ve already made a life for yourself in Arizona. You’d be giving all that up.”

“As a wise man once told me, it’s not like I’m moving to a different planet or even a different country. I’m actually going home. I moved because my mom needed me at that time, but now that she’s doing well, I think it’s okay for me to leave. I want to go back to the Bay Area. My favorite people are there.”

“Yeah? Which people exactly?”

“Well, there’s Ames, of course. And I really want to meether neighbor, Ms. Archibald. Ames said she has the best stories to tell. And there’s this barista that I follow on Instagram who does the coolest latte art. I can’t wait to go to her café in person.”

Shane starts to pout with his brows drawn together. “Is that all? No one else?”

“I don’t know. Should there be anyone else?”

“Think again. Maybe the words gorgeous, cute, sweet, hilarious, and wise will jog your memory?”

“Hm. Do I know anyone like that?”

The longer I pretend to ponder, the poutier he becomes. I can’t help but smile at his disgruntled expression that is so unlike him. Shane is so the opposite of grumpy. He’s sweetness, sunshine, and tenderness all rolled into one.

Taking his face in my hands, I look deep into his eyes. The flecks of green, brown, and gold remind me of fireworks shooting across the night sky on the Fourth of July. My heart wants to burst in the same way with glorious lights and colors for all the world to see. I can’t believe I get to love and be loved by this man.

“There is definitely someone else,” I tell him, “my boyfriend. He’s gorgeous, cute, sweet, hilarious, and wise, and he’s the best surprise I’ve ever gotten in my life.”

“And does this amazing boyfriend have a name?”

“Yes. It’s you, Shaney. You’re my best surprise.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, he pulls me close and surprises me once again in the best of ways. He places his lips on mine with an unspoken promise of more. I kiss him back, more than ready for all the love and joy that’s sure to come our way.

Epilogue

Shane

“Marry me?”

A) Yes

B) A

C) B

~Unknown

Doing life with Hope is exactly what you’d expect when dating a woman with her name—hope-filled and positive. I’ve woken up every day of the past five months that we’ve been seeing each other with a smile on my face. And I go to sleep every night thanking the Lord for knowing exactly what I needed in my life and bringing me to her that fateful day in June. I now know all there is to know about fifth grade potty humor, as well as the latest trends in romance books besides the one bed trope, whichis one of my personal favorites. I’m also ready to formalize this change by giving Hope that one thing that romance readers long for—an HEA. That’s happily ever after for any folks who might have thought I was talking about health emergency allowances.

Although, with the way my heart has been racing all morning, this might turn into a medical crisis.

“Are you feeling okay, Shaney?”

“Yes, of course. Couldn’t not be better.” I pause for a second, rethinking my answer. “I mean, couldn’t be better.”

Hope watches me curiously over the top of her half-eaten Æbleskiver. Yes, we’re back in Solvang for a short weekend visit during her Thanksgiving break. I thought being in this familiar place would bring back some fond memories, but so far, these fried dough balls have only been giving me indigestion. Or it could be the fact that I have no idea how this proposal is going to turn out.

Hope’s been telling me about the grand gestures from her favorite books, and boy, do they live up to the wordgrand. We’re talking about mad dashes through the airport to stop a plane, heartfelt serenades in front of a crowd, and epic confessions in the pouring rain. I’m looking around the bench where we’re sitting in the middle of Solvang Park, and I can’t help but feel like I’m falling short. For a guy who’s six foot one on a good day, this is an odd place to be.

What we do have though is an abundance of holiday cheer. Christmas is apparently a big deal in Solvang. Their Julefest started yesterday and is expected to last through to the new year. We’re surrounded by sparkling lights on every lamppost, six-foot-tall trees decked out with ornaments and bows in front of the shops across the street, and wreaths and garlands hung from the rooftops. The atmosphere is fun and lively, which I think will help set the stage for what I have planned,but I have no idea if it will be enough for Hope… or maybe too much?

Leave it to romance authors to use their fictional men to set us real men up for failure.

---