Page 106 of Catch and Release

Willa’s eyes lit up with amusement as she responded. “It definitely can be.”

Bo hummed, studying Willa carefully. “He seems to think offering yoga classes out on the marina’s pavilion or beach might be a big hit.”

Eyes wide, Willa looked over at Shawn. “He does?”

Shawn nodded. “I see you doing yoga out on your wharf every day. Thought other people might want to do the same.”

Willa grinned. “I think people would love it. Locals and tourists.”

“Exactly what Shawny here said,” Bo responded. “And I trust him. If he says you’re a good egg, then you’re a good egg in my book.”

“She is,” Shawn said.

Willa bit her lip. “Thanks, Bo. So how do you want to go about doing this?”

Shawn pulled up a couple of chairs so they could sit down as Willa and Bo discussed the details, including class schedule and how she’d get paid. Bo offered to keep her on retainer, so long as she taught at least three classes per week. By the end of their conversation, she’d come up with a tentative class schedule starting the following week, talked through a plan to get the word out, and shook on their plan.

Shawn could tell Willa was thoroughly charmed with Bo, and he couldn’t blame her. He had a way of making people feel seen and special.

He grinned to himself as they walked out of his tiny office, and Willa was buzzing with energy.

“So you found me two jobs,” Willa said.

“I hope that’s okay,” Shawn said.

She stopped. “It’s more than okay. It’s…” She sighed. “Thank you, Shawn.”

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

“No problem.” Grabbing her hand, he led her toward the dock. “You ready for the last surprise of the night?”

29

Willa had accepted that her heart wouldn’t slow.

Everything Shawn had done overwhelmed her.

Sure, she’d received flowers before. But never her favorite, sunflowers. Even though she’d told Leo more than once they were her favorite flowers, he always bought her the most expensive ones he could find. He said sunflowers were a “common flower.” That she should’ve appreciated the two dozen red roses he bought her more.

Again, she kicked herself for not seeing some of the red flags he waved.

And somehow, between this morning and tonight, Shawn had coordinated not one but two job offers for her.

She barely noticed they’d been walking toward his boat until suddenly, it was in view. And it had twinkling lights on it—along with a perfectly set table with a bottle of champagne in an icebox and two identical glasses next to it.

Willa stopped in her tracks.

“Shawn,” she whispered.

“The first time I brought you on my boat, I kept wishing it was a real date,” he said, tugging a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I wanted a do-over.”

“Me too,” she said.

He kissed her fingers, still cradled in his hand, and led her onto the boat. As she sat down, he popped the bottle of champagne and she let out a delighted squeal. He grinned at her and poured her a glass, and Willa just couldn’t take it anymore.

As he set the glass of champagne in front of her, she grabbed his wrist, tugged him toward her, and pressed her mouth to his. He grunted in shock, then leaned into it, his calloused hands gently grabbing her neck, her cheeks, tangling in her hair. His tongue lapped against hers and he nipped her lip. Willa gasped, tugging him even closer, standing up so their bodies were closer, tighter.

His hands lazily grazed down her sides, grabbing her hips, pulling her against him so she could feel his hardness.

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