Page 5 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

The real reason? A guy never forgets his first crush.

CHAPTER 3

Hope

“You can always tella real friend: When you’ve made a fool of yourself, he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.” ~Laurence J. Peter

My plane touches down promptly in Santa Barbara as the clock strikes one in the afternoon. The airport is smaller than the one in Phoenix, but it has a warm, charming feel with its patterned floor tiles and colorful Spanish murals. After taking sixteen minutes to deboard—I let everyone get off before me so I could mosey off the plane in peace—I locate an elevator to get to the first floor.

A young family consisting of a mom, dad, and three kids under the age of five join me inside, making it a tight squeeze, especially with a double stroller in tow. I had considered taking the escalator, but I decided it’d be safer for myself and everyone around me if I stayed away from moving objects. With over nine pounds of clothing on, it would only take one wrong step to get me falling. And unlike Humpty Dumpty, Ido not have a posse of horses and men to put me back together again.

But I do have one man waiting to pick me up at baggage claim.

After the elevator doors open and I step outside, I scan the area for signs of my vacation… associate. I’m not sure what else to call Amelia’s brother.Colleaguedoesn’t seem right considering this is a trip for pleasure, not work.Buddyfeels too chummy for someone I haven’t seen in a dozen years.Partneris a bit too formal, as if we’re relying on one another in some kind of symbiotic relationship—which we so are not.

After a handful of less-than-stellar relationships in my twenties, I am not looking to have a connection with any man—except for Jesus, of course. I’ve declared this year to be my sabbatical from dating; both Amelia and I have. More specifically, this is my time off from unrealistic expectations, inevitable disappointments, and miserable broken hearts. The only romance I’ll be experiencing will be vicariously through the books I read, which always have happy endings.

So, I’m relieved that Shane and I will be like two ships passing in the night—er, airport. Just two people who happened to get thrown into a situation together by a mutual connection. Nothing more, nothing less.

Then why is my heart pounding like I just ran a mile? Or so I assume since it’s been a while since I did cardio of any sort. I take a deep breath and walk toward the baggage claim area. Passengers stand around eyeing the luggage of all sizes and colors as they tumble out onto the conveyor for my flight. My insides feel like the bags, tossing and turning about. What is going on with me? Why am I so anxious? Maybe all these layers of clothing are making me claustrophobic.

“Hey, miss, are you lost?” A tall man with a blond buzz cutapproaches me, giving me a curious grin. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“Oh, um, no, I’m not lost—yet.” I return his smile, thankful for a friendly face. “I’m just waiting for my bag like everyone else. Thanks for your concern.”

“I’d be happy to grab it for you if you see it.” He gestures to a small black duffel bag near his sneakers. “I already got mine.”

“That’s really nice of you. I certainly wouldn’t mind the help. Lifting a fifty-nine-pound bag is quite the workout. Make that fifty pounds now—that’s what I got it down to before I checked it in.”

“Fifty pounds? What do you have in there, gold bars?”

“Ha! I wish. Amelia—that’s my best friend—wouldn’t mind at all if I gave her gold for her birthday. She’s always loved jewelry. My bag’s a little heavy because of the gift I got her. Nothing as valuable as gold, but I think it’s precious in a different way.”

“Precious, huh? Then we better make sure your bag gets into the right hands. Which one is it?”

I crane my neck to look around the people in front of me. “It’s a big green one. Mint green, to be exact. I tied a purple ribbon around the handle so it’s easy to spot.”

“Smart move.” He winks his approval before turning back toward the carousel. “Hey, I think I see it. Hang on, I’ll go grab it for you.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll watch your bag for you,” I offer as he walks away.

The tension in my body loosens up and I find myself smiling. Despite my earlier predicament, I’m feeling pretty thankful right now for the kindness of strangers. Whoever this man is, he’s helping me out of the goodness of his heart. His gesture reminds me of Shane, someone else who’s also doingme a favor. Sure, he’s doing it for Amelia’s sake, but I’m grateful he’s willing to do it at all.

Let’s just hope he’s outgrown the pranks he used to pull on me.

“Hope?”

The deep, smooth-as-melted-chocolate voice calling my name sends tingles down my back. I don’t recognize it, but I obediently look around for its owner. I picture a tall, dark, and handsome hunk like the ones that grace the covers of the romance books that my book club girls and I love to read. The non-illustrated covers though since the illustrated ones tend to be faceless, and it would be nice to put a face to this voice.

“Hope! Hey, it really is you.”

The voice is standing before me now, all six feet of it—I mean, him. He’s as masculine and sexy as he sounds, with a hint of boyish charm. I furrow my brows as I study his features—his long-lashed hazel eyes, straight nose, and square jawline. There’s something familiar about him that I can’t quite place.

Does he know me from work? He’s much too young to be a student’s parent, although it’s not impossible. Or maybe was he a fellow passenger from the plane? I know I’ve seen that adorable, crooked smile of his before somewhere.

“Hi, are you talking to me?” I ask and point to myself. “I feel like we’ve met, but I can’t seem to remember where.”

His grin disappears as he places a hand dramatically over his heart. “Are you serious? I had no idea I was that forgettable.”

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