Page 26 of Challenge Accepted

She laughed. “The best kind of relationships always do.”

“Now you’re getting sappy.”

“I really am. I want you to be happy like me and Jed are.”

It was a little early to be thinking about forever, but Goldie certainly made him open to the idea.

“Oh, one last thing.”

“Yeah?”

“We have to go to St. Maarten. Where should I take her?”

“You have to? That’s a little touristy for you isn’t it, Van?”

“She has a shop there in Philipsburg. She has to go check in on the store. I thought I’d make it a business with pleasure kind of deal.”

“Well, the bay is beautiful. If I were you, I’d go with a little pleasure cruise. You’re good with a sailboat.”

“This is why I keep you around.”

“Have fun, but be careful, huh? You have plenty of time to woo her into falling in love with you.”

“Yes, mom.”

“Stop it.” But she was laughing. She was blissfully happy and Vance wanted something like that.

“I’ll talk to you next week.”

“Sounds good. Bye, stud.”

“Bye, brat.”

Vance shook his head and made a few more calls. He texted Presley a hello in between planning. They bantered back and forth a few times. The night grew later and the texts between them had dwindled to nothing.

At eight o’clock, he grabbed his keys and headed out. The drive into Kensington Square was fairly quiet. It was mostly a business district with a few restaurants and bars dotted in between.

He took a chance and picked up dinner at a local food truck and headed to her store. The lights were still on in the office above the dark storefront. He parked across the street and pulled out his phone.

Whatcha wearing?

Presley:

A frowny face and an SU sweatshirt.

Uh oh. Would you rather wear an El Rey’s oversized napkin and be eating a frita?

Presley:

Man…Really? I’m never going to get out of here tonight. I really want that sandwich tho. Like really. Oh, and to see you too. ??

He grinned down at his phone. At least she wasn’t completely against seeing him.

Look out your front window.

The blinds of her office slid up. Presley stood in the window with her blond hair piled on top of her head with two pencils sticking out. And she really was wearing a Syracuse University sweatshirt. He held up the white bag.

His phone buzzed in his hand.

---