by Laura Burton
It definitely wasn’t over yet.
Shane led me inside the park and stopped at one of those big maps that had a giant spot on it with the you are here sign.
“Where to first?” he questioned, his eyes roaming over the large design.
“I don’t know. You seem to know what you’re doing. Surprise me.” The words popped out of my mouth without much thought.
Shane turned his attention from the map to me. A small, controlled smile pulled the corners of his lips slightly upward. Something seemed to sparkle in his eyes, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
“Your wish is my command, Abigail Henderson.” Shane extended his hand and took a slight bow, his whole face lighting up in the process.
I laughed. Not a small, controlled laugh, but a full belly laugh. I couldn’t help myself. Shane’s face and easy manner had me clutching my middle and releasing the fun I felt inside. Easily. Shane had that effect on me.
Shane tugged on the hand he still held and led us in the opposite direction of the majority of the crowd. We stood in line, waiting to board a train.
“The train?” I raised my brow.
“What better way to see the whole park and pick out which rides you want to do?” Shane shrugged his shoulders, as if it was the most natural answer in the world.
“You do realize that aside from the few parents in this line, we are the only people over four feet, right?”
“Abs, I promise you. This is fun. It’s about us spending time together. It doesn’t matter where we are. Stop overthinking this. Who knows? You might even enjoy yourself.”
Before I could offer a reply, the train pulled up and a horde of excited kids and their parents boarded the train. Shane and I had to each sit in our own compartment, the seats were that small. But he sat in the one in front of mine and hunched back, facing me. And if I was honest, the moment the whistle blew and the train took off, I felt that inner-child excitement come to life. Or maybe it was Shane’s bright smile and his face inches from mine that had my insides alive and sparkling with activity.
“So, are you finally going to give me the story on the whole Hollywood business, or am I going to have to beat it out of Mia tonight?” I questioned, needing something to distract me from my wandering thoughts.
“Ha.” Shane laughed but averted his gaze. He rubbed his neck and swallowed.
“Come on. It can’t be that bad.” Honestly, I’d been dying to know. But I’d been too distracted to ask. I wasn’t going to let it slide this time. Not while this ride promised us a tour of at least ten minutes.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Shane’s usual olive tone darkened, causing an adorable pink hue to color the tips of his ears and tinge his cheeks. I liked it. A lot.
When I shook my head in the negative, a broad grin tugging on the corners of my lips, Shane cringed.
“Okay. But promise not to laugh?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. But I slapped both hands over my mouth to hide my little outburst.
“I haven’t even started, and you’re already in stitches. That’s it. I’m not telling.” Shane sighed, but I could see him fighting a smile.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shane Davis uncomfortable about anything. It’s refreshing.”
“Yeah, well. Don’t get used to it.” Shane winked.
“Seriously, though,” I said, after getting ahold of my giggles. “No more laughing.”
“And this is between you and me?” Shane’s easy smile was still in place, but something in his eyes hinted at a vulnerability that I hadn’t seen there before.
“I promise.” I reached out and touched Shane’s hand, resting within reach. That same spark I’d felt earlier—the one when he’d first took my hand in his—was back. My stomach came alive with a swarm of butterfly wings flapping. And where our fingers touched, my skin burned.
Our eyes met and held. Shane’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he continued to study my face.
“Tell me.” I encouraged him, squeezing Shane’s hand. He seemed to awaken from whatever spell he was under, and that casual smile appeared on his face, exuding his usual charm and confidence.
“My parents always watch this same traditional holiday movie on Christmas. Have done for as long as I can remember. When I was about five, I guess, I started reciting the fun scenes. Acting them out. Turns out, I was really good at it.”
I smiled, imagining a younger version of Shane huddled up on the sofa with his entire family.
“How does that not surprise me?” I chuckled. Seriously, spending time with Shane had my cheeks hurting. It was a constant laugh. And it felt easy. No overthinking things. No pressure. Just being me.
“Anyway.” Shane grinned. “Mom thought I was adorable. She told me I should keep practicing and head to Hollywood. With skills like mine, I was bound to be the next kid star. So I announced to everyone I was going to Hollywood.”
A pink tint returned to his cheeks. I had a hard time not reaching out and touching those cheeks, they were that tempting.
“Mia was like three at the time and my constant shadow. She picked up Hollywood from my little outburst and exclaimed ‘You’s Hollywood.’ And naturally, it stuck. Anything Mia says has a way of sticking.”
I could imagine Mia as a cute little three-year-old with her bright-blue eyes and that infectious smile of hers. It wasn’t hard to picture her chasing after Shane and dubbing him Hollywood. Or him loving the title and claiming it. Their family really had something special.
“You guys really are tight,” I said, something tugging at my insides.
“I’m close to all of my siblings, but Mia, she’s my baby sister. She’s Mia Pia.”
I just grinned, noticing how Shane’s whole face transformed when he spoke of his baby sister like that. Using his special nickname for her, the affectionate tone he reserved especially for her. It was hard not to feel a pang of envy. I had Will and Kelsey. But no brother or sister to look out for me or for me to look out for. Life as an only child could get lonely.
“Hey, what’s up?” Shane placed his knuckles under my chin, lifting my gaze to his.
“Nothing.” I pressed my lips together. “Just sounds nice. You and Mia. Your other siblings. You have a lovely family, Shane.” I forced a smile.
“I bet your parents are great.” Shane dipped his head to my level, his brows pulled up high.
“They are.” I swallowed. I didn’t ever open up to anyone about how lonely I really was. I mean, I had Chris. But that wasn’t the same. And we hadn’t been together most of the summer. I think Chris had sensed my loneliness right from the start. It was probably what had drawn us together. He was an only child, too. But I’d never really openly spoken about my feelings to him, either. Somehow, I found myself voicing thoughts I’d never spoken out loud before. “My parents are amazing. Dad idolizes my mother.”
“I’m sensing a but here,” Shane said.
“Not a but. My parents can’t have kids. I was their miracle baby. And although that was great, it was lonely. I would have loved a baby sister or brother. But it was just me. I only had Will.”
“Will?” Shane questioned.
“My older cousin.”
“Ah, right. The one just like me.”
“The one and only. Our families vacationed a lot together, celebrated lots of the holidays together. He always looked out for me. Kind of like a big brother. He’s the only person who’s always called me Abs.” I raised my brows and tilted my head to Shane.
“I love him already.” Shane smirked.
“You would love him. You’re like the brown-haired younger version of him,” I commented.
“So he’s sexy, funny, and a great listener?” Shane questioned, a satisfied look on his face.
“He’s a womanizing playboy that can charm his way out of any situation.”
“Hey!” Shane protested.
“But he is a great listener and he’s funny, too. And I
love him to bits.” My insides warmed, thinking of how true those words were. “And he recently got married, so his days of fooling around are officially over. Although, I think his reputation might be a tad exaggerated. Charlotte always held his heart.”
“See. So quick to label, but the reality is a stark contrast to the label,” Shane defended. “You shouldn’t be so quick to judge, Abs. Not everything is as it seems. You might have convinced yourself to believe something that’s been wrong all along.”
Shane’s words hit a sensitive cord. Had I held on all these years, believing Chris was the one for me when maybe that wasn’t really the case? And had I seen Shane’s happy-go-lucky attitude as a reason to not take him seriously? Not to see him for this great guy he was proving to be?
-Chapter 11-
“You look like you’re in need of some food.” Shane crossed his arms, peering at me from behind his sunglasses. We’d just finished a ride on the swings that spun high up in the air, and I was feeling a little dizzy. “Don’t worry, that’s the only ride that you really need to check off the list before we eat. Except maybe the crazy cups. But we can do that before we head home. Once your lunch has settled enough. Come on.”
It felt more like Shane was talking aloud to himself than waiting for my opinion. He tugged me forward by taking my hand, and the jittery sensation in my belly intensified.
“Mia texted me earlier telling me she has a break around now, so we can meet her for lunch.”
I just nodded, glad a slight breeze was picking up. The California sun was beating down, and I was perspiring despite my outfit.
“I’ll text Mia to let her know we’re on our way.” Shane slipped his phone from his pocket and sent off a message. A second later, a chime sounded from his phone and Shane grinned, rolling his eyes. I assumed it was Mia, from the look on his face. He didn’t reply, just tucked the device in his pocket and started walking again.
“I really like the outfit, by the way.” Shane glanced at my legs, and that color appeared on his cheeks.
Mia had insisted on me buying these cut-off denim shorts. I’d paired them with a gray oversize tee that I’d tucked in at the front, like Mia had told me to. And she’d insisted I get a pair of silver aviator sunglasses. Not in a million years would I have ever tried any of these items on, but they fit, were comfortable, and if I was honest, I liked how these new clothes looked on me. It also didn’t hurt that so far Shane had commented on each outfit, and they had affected his composure. There were worse things than being admired by a guy like him.
“There you both are.” Mia waited in front of the fast food place Shane had led us to. “Your food is getting cold. Come on.”
Mia didn’t wait for us to catch up to her; she walked off to a side entrance, leaving the staff-only door open. Shane picked up the pace to make it in time to stick his hand in the gap, keeping the door from shutting closed before we got there.
“You’ve got to love her.” Shane shook his head as he chuckled.
“You don’t fool me,” I said before going through the door.
“Grab those trays, Shane,” Mia instructed, and Shane obeyed. “Here.” She held a door open. Shane went out first, holding the two trays that looked to have our lunch on them, and Mia held her hand up and swung it in a fluid motion, indicating I follow after Shane. I complied, not sure where we were going, but the smell of the fries hit my nostrils, and I was eager to go where the food went.
Shane placed the trays down on a table in the shade, off to the side of the busyness of the outside eating area.
“This is a nice and quiet corner.” I pulled out the chair opposite Shane.
“Yeah. Staff gets to take their lunch at these separate tables. They’re sectioned off.” Mia pointed to a tape I hadn’t seen earlier. It divided three tables from the general dining space.
“It gives staff a place to have a break or eat their meal and still be separated from the patrons. You guys get the real deal, thanks to yours truly, of course.”
“Thanks, lil sis.” Shane sat down and plopped a fry in his mouth.
“So.” Mia took a swig of her drink. Eyeing me, she motioned for me to dig into the fries and burger in front of me.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, before taking a fry and opening my burger. The smell of hamburger and grease made my hungry stomach grumble.
“Eat, Abs. I’m getting hungry just looking at you. And I’m eating.”
I didn’t wait for a third invitation. I picked up the burger and dug in.
“Are we still on for tonight?” Mia asked in between a mouthful of fries.
“Yes,” Shane replied, continuing to snarf down his burger. The thing was gone in less than four bites.
“Tonight?” I questioned.
“Oh?” Mia’s tone turned teasing. “Hasn’t Shane asked you yet? We’re all going out on a date. Shane and you, me and this guy I like.” Her face broke out in a Cheshire cat grin.
“Date?” I asked at the same time Shane said, “No date.”
My heart squeezed at his reply. I knew whatever we’d been doing all weekend wasn’t dating. Not really. Shane was helping me out. Showing me the ropes. Tonight would be no different. Still, his words stung.
“You aren’t going on a date, Mia. Not until you’re thirty. I don’t know why I need to keep reminding you.” Shane sat back in his seat, challenging her.
“I am going on a date. And because I love you, I’m letting you tag along. So, enough of your protests. Whereas, you two,” Mia pointed from me to Shane and back to me, “can just continue on your date here. Just be sure to have dinner with Mom. She needs at least one dinner with you before you head back out tomorrow.”
“Of course,” Shane said.
My mind was still hung up on why he had made such a point to correct Mia about her not going on a date but felt no need to correct her about whatever it was we were doing now. Or what we would be doing tonight.
Ugh, I needed to stop doing this, or just ask him. But not now. Not with Mia listening.
“You two done?” Mia got up and started binning her trash.
“Yep.” I took a napkin and wiped my mouth.
Mia checked her phone and sighed. “I need to get back to work. People to serve, spills to mop.”
“Cash to earn.” Shane winked.
“True. Cash to spend when I go out on a date tonight.” She winked back, the resemblance to her brother uncanny. I wondered what the rest of the family looked like. The three Davises I’d met looked like a matched set.
“What kind of douche are you going out with, if you’re paying?” Shane got up and started to follow her.
“See ya tonight, Abs. Later, Hollywood.” She disappeared through her staff door, leaving us alone in the sectioned off area.
“We better get going.” I motioned for Shane to follow.
“Can you believe she’s going to be paying tonight?” He turned back to stare at the door she’d just disappeared through.
“Shane.” I stopped and he kept walking, bumping into me because his eyes were still glued to that door. “You do know that comment is completely sexist, right? A girl can pay for a date. Or you can split the bill.”
“Abs.” Shane exhaled, running his hand through his hair. “My parents are really strict about us boys paying when we ask a girl out. I know it’s really old-fashioned, but it’s what they taught us. And I don’t want Mia dating a guy that wouldn’t at least offer to pay.”
I stared at Shane and was kind of surprised that it bothered him so much. He was so easygoing. But he hadn’t let me pay for anything. Not yesterday in the diner. Not today. It was sweet.
“I bet she’s just winding you up. Let’s go try another ride.”
“Sure.” He shook his head, as if to shake the thought away. But he still looked worked up.
“Shane?” My voice squeaked.
“Yeah,” he replied, but he still seemed distracted.
“What are we doing?” I asked, my voice trembling.
> “What do you mean? We’re on our way to another ride.” His brows were pulled down.
“No.” I shook my head. He clearly wasn’t on the same page I was on. “What exactly are we doing here?” I pointed between us.
“I don’t understand.” He leaned in.
“I mean.” I hated that I had to spell this out for him. Why couldn’t I just leave this alone? I knew better. I hadn’t even spoken to Chris about anything remotely serious in the four years I liked him. What made this situation different and urged me to define whatever this was? I was fine with undefined.
Well, maybe I wasn’t. Maybe I never was. And maybe Shane gave me the incentive to want to ask. “What are we doing here? You and me? Like this? Together? Here? Holding hands? Mia said this was a date.”
“Abs, what do you want this to be?” Shane turned the question back to me.
“I asked you first.” Mature, I knew. But I wasn’t sure how to answer that question to myself, let alone to Shane. I needed him to clarify what was going on here.
“This is whatever you want it to be. Two friends hanging out. One friend helping another. You want Chris, right?” Shane looked at me, uncertainty pulling his face up in question. The mention of my best friend from Shane’s mouth made me want to kick myself. He was just helping me out. He was doing what he promised me, right from the start.
“Chris. Right.” I should have felt happy. The new outfit, the fact I was comfortable talking to a guy, being myself completely and even opening up about difficult stuff. My loneliness as an only child. Wanting to define whatever we were doing. I hadn’t ever felt this bold around a guy, certainly not Chris. Shane was doing what he’d promised. Helping me move forward. Closer to Chris.
“Right,” Shane replied, but that sparkle in his eyes had vanished. Or was I imagining things?
Right now, I wasn’t sure about a lot of things.
-Chapter 12-
I decided to give red lipstick another chance. Technically, this wasn’t just red lipstick, it was a ruby red that Mia swore complemented my skin tone perfectly. I was hoping the explanation both Mia and the lady in the store gave me last night would help me through the process of applying it good enough this time. I didn’t want to laugh through one of the scenes in the movie and have Shane tell me I had red on my teeth. Or worse, him not tell me, and come back and see some on me teeth at the end of the night. Was this really a good idea?
