Page 64 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

“It’s going to be the perfect marriage proposal.” I craned my neck to face him.

“Almost. It’ll be second to mine.”

He sounded sure of himself. But his confidence drew me to him, besides his charming personality, good looks, and how great he was with children.

He blinked those long eyelashes, his eyes turning molten gold under the sunlight. His face seemed to glow as his lips spread into an irresistible smirk, his gaze bored into mine with longing. He looked absolutely heavenly.

Wind whisked my hair across my eyes. Ian pushed back the strands over my ear and lowered his finger down my cheek, down my neck, and over my shoulder. I shuddered. My pulse raced. I was lost in that moment, lost to him.

When Ian’s gaze lowered to my lips, I swallowed nervously, wondering if I had imagined him edging closer to me. I thought I might want this kiss, had actually even dreamed about it a couple of times, but I would wake up feeling guilty. If I let him, would it hurt our friendship?

Steve. Tyler. Guilt socked me in the gut.

I gradually lowered my gaze to the soft sand between my toes and spewed out words. “I should get going. I have to meet my sister back at my house to bring her here on time. She can’t be late. And I need to pick up Tyler.”

I tugged Ian’s shirt to break whatever was happening between us because it couldn’t happen. Any more temptation, and I might give in and let him kiss me. God knows I wanted to, at least in my dreams. I wasn’t ready, and this amazing man deserved someone who would give him all their heart and soul.

Kate arrived at my house at six-thirty on the dot. She wore a spaghetti-strapped black dress that hugged her curves. Her long soft curls bounced, and her light makeup accentuated her features, bringing out her eyes, her cheekbones, and those lips. She looked absolutely stunning.

Tyler came out from his bedroom. “Hi, Auntie Kate.”

“Wow, Ty. Look at you. You look so handsome.” Kate kissed his forehead. “Are you going to be our date tonight?”

Tyler was dressed in dark pants and a long-sleeve top. He had sleeked his hair back without my help. My mother’s heart swelled, proud of him and saddened by it at the same time. He was growing up too fast. Time needed to slow down.

He raised his chin. “I sure am.”

“Well then.” I grabbed my purse. “We better get going, or we’re going to be late.”

After we got into my car, Kate said, “You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”

I shrugged and gave her a sly smile. “You’ll see.”

Kate looked over to Tyler in the back seat. “Do you know where we’re going? Your mother is being very secretive.”

I looked in the rearview mirror at my son, grinning. “I don’t know, Auntie Kate. I only care about eating yummy food.”

Kate and I laughed, then she gazed out the window.

When the roads became familiar, she slapped my arm lightly. “Are we having dinner at Ian’s house? Is this the surprise?”

“You’ll see.” My expression remained neutral as I parked in the driveaway. It was so difficult to contain my excitement. I wanted to tell her everything. “Tyler, stay in the car. I’ll be right back. Kate, come with me. I need your help.”

I didn’t give my son a chance to respond. He had no idea what was going on. I got out of the car in a hurry and walked with Kate, who was looking at me suspiciously.

“What’s going on with you?” she asked when we got to the front door.

I rang the doorbell and inhaled and exhaled. My sister was the one getting proposed to, and I was freaking out, my nerves all over the place.

The door opened, and Ian appeared. My breath caught in my throat as his eyes pinned on me, then his gaze lowered, taking in all of me in the white linen dress.

That was when I realized I wasn’t nervous for my sister, but for myself. Coming back to his house where the almost-kiss had happened had me tangled in knots.

Ian wore dark pants and a white linen button-up, sleeves rolled up a quarter of the way. The white on his tanned skin gave him a crisp but relaxed Mediterranean vibe. I couldn’t deny he looked good. Too good. We almost looked like a couple who coordinated their outfits.

“Kate, Abby. Come in.”

“Do you know what’s going on, Ian?” Kate said. “Abby is acting strange.”