8. Shane
“We’re not socks,but I think we’d make a great pair.” ~Unknown
Who knew being an EMT would come in handy when relating to the opposite sex? So far in the time that I’ve spent with Hope, I’ve picked up on a telltale physiological sign that confirms she’s affected by my presence. Every time I get close to her, her pupils dilate. Those black dots grow larger until they nearly eclipse her pretty blue irises. It’s a sure sign that she’s either attracted to me—or that she’s in fight-or-flight mode.
I do hope it’s the former.
We’ve made it to the heart of Solvang, and the town isn’t half bad. The locals are friendly, the tourists seem happy, and my vacation date couldn’t be more pleasant.
Vacation associate, I mean. I know I’m jumping the gun, but there’s nothing I’d like more than to stroll these streets hand in hand with Hope, just like the other couples around us. But for now, I’ll settle for being her glorified shopping buddy instead.
“I was bummed that we couldn’t check in to the inn yet,” she remarks as she gestures for me to enter yet another store, “but I don’t mind so much now. I love wandering these little shops, don’t you?”
“Hmm. There sure are a lot of them.” We’ve already checked out a handful of stores that sell antiques, hats, leather goods, clocks, and music boxes. I thought those were unique, but this particular one that we’ve stepped into makes my jaw drop. As far as the eye can see, all the walls are covered with one type of merchandise. “Wait a minute, Hope, is this a sock shop?”
“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?”
I pick up a black pair that has red trains on it with a patch of yellow on the toes and orange around the heels. On the bottom of one foot reads the words I don’t snore, and I dream I’m a train on the bottom of the other. I hold them up for Hope to see. “This one’s kind of fun. Maybe I should get them.”
She grimaces. “Is that your not-so-subtle warning that I should get ear plugs for tonight?”
“They’re not for me; they’re for Amelia, for her birthday.”
She shakes her head with a laugh. “Ames would so not appreciate that! Even if it is true,” she adds in a hushed voice. “Don’t ever tell her I said this, but her snoring was the one thing I had a hard time getting used to when I slept over.”
“It wasn’t me jumping out of the closet in the middle of the night?”
“Naw, I don’t get scared that easily. I’ve been reading mysteries since I was nine. And anyways, after the first time you tried to scare me, I kind of expected it.”
“But you always acted like you were about to faint.”
“Acting is precisely what I did. Not too shabby for an amateur, huh?” Grinning proudly, Hope does a little curtsy. “I did it so you wouldn’t feel like your effort went to waste. You tried so hard to stay up late and not make a sound in the closet; I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, now you do.”
Hope’s words hit me straight in the chest like one of Cupid’s arrows. Her thoughtfulness and kindness are more than I deserve. If I thought I liked her before, it’s nothing compared to the deep emotions stirring inside of me right now. Not only ones of attraction, but of admiration, respect, and awe. Simply put, I adore this woman. She feels like the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing in my life.
For the first time, I feel confident in the Lord’s plan for my love life. Not that I ever doubted Him… okay, who am I kidding? I have fully doubted Him on many occasions, especially when swiping left on one of the dozen dating apps that I’ve tried. But I suspect that the reason I haven’t clicked with any other woman up until now is because I was supposed to cross paths with Hope again. And despite my impatience and attempts to take matters into my own hands, God has been gracious in keeping me from wasting my time and efforts.
But now there’s no more waiting.
Hope and I are in Solvang together enjoying the sights of this sock shop, and I’m more than ready to invest myself in her. In us. And I want to let her know exactly how I feel.
“Hope, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” she asks over her shoulder. She’s already turned her attention back to the wall of socks and is looking upwards at a pair. There are seven rows, and the top two are out of her reach. She points to some fuzzy red socks that say If you can read this… on one foot and This nurse is off duty on the other. “Can you get those for me, Shaney? They’re perfect for Ames.”
“Ask and you shall receive,” I quip as I step up behind her. Reaching over her head, I pluck the pair off the wall hook. The benefit of that growth spurt in high school is that I don’t need to stretch my arm to reach it. The movement is an easy one until I realize how close I am to Hope. I’ve basically cornered her against the wall so that if she were to turn around, we would be face to face?—
Which is precisely what happens while my hand is up in mid-air.
“Oh!” Hope gasps, then freezes in place as she holds my gaze. Her pupils are the only parts of her in motion, growing larger with each breath she takes. She blinks as if she’s waking up from a trance. Just as quickly, her expression softens, and she giggles. “You know something, you’re like a book character come to life. For a while there was this trend going around on social media where girls were standing in doorways and asking their boyfriends or husbands to lean over them. Kind of like what you’re doing.”
I yank my arm down and offer Hope the socks I retrieved as smoothly as I can without seeming like I was doing exactly what she thought I was doing. “You mean the leaning move from While You Were Sleeping?” I ask nonchalantly as I take a step back. “I never understood the appeal of that.”
“That’s because you’re a guy. But trust me, a move like that makes a girl feel giddy. There’s just something about a guy getting close to the girl he likes and focusing all his attention on her. Not that that’s what you were doing. It just reminded me of it.” Waving the socks in front of my face, Hope exclaims, “I finally figured out what I’m getting Ames for her birthday! I’m going to find thirty different items that remind me of her or our friendship. Thanks for helping me get the first one. Now what were you going to tell me?”
“I, uh… I forgot.”
“Well, let me know when you think of it. I’m going to go pay for this.”
Blowing out a long breath, I watch her walk off toward the front of the shop where the cash register is. I shake my head in wonder and regret. How did I let that golden opportunity pass? I could have corrected Hope and told her I was purposely, willfully, and intentionally leaning because I like her. But nope, I chickened out. Totally failed all my egg-spectations of getting out of the friend zone with Hope. Talk about being in a peckle. I might as well pick up a pair of the store’s knee-high socks imprinted with scrawny chicken legs and feet, so I look the part, too.
My cell phone rings, and I answer it, not expecting the deep voice I hear on the line.
“Hey, Shane, it’s Ryder.”
“Hey, what’s up, Ry? It’s good to hear from you.”
I gesture to Hope as I pass her on my way to the shop’s exit that I’ll be taking my call outside. Then I turn my attention back to Ryder. I can’t believe my sister’s ex is calling me! It’s been a couple of years since they broke off their engagement, and while Amelia may not be on speaking terms with the guy, I’ve missed him. He was the older brother I always wanted, and he gave the best advice, especially about women. Maybe he can help me figure things out with Hope.