AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” Alissa hadn’t meant to raise her voice, but she was shocked. “Dane? Taking a day off?”
“Yeah.” Josie shrugged. “I was surprised too.”
Alissa frowned and looked back at his office. Was he sick? He would have told her if he was. Maybe he had something to do.
“Weird,” Alissa murmured before going back to her office.
When she sat down, she noticed a folded piece of paper sticking up in her keyboard. She unfolded it and found a note from Dane. All it said was for her to meet him at The Crab around sunset. Her brows furrowed and she flipped the paper over to see if there was any more information. Nothing.
“What are you up to, Dane?” she murmured to herself, her heart pounding out of her chest.
What was this about? Was it a bad thing? He had just been so sweet and romantic before. Had he somehow changed his mind?
She opened up her email and her latest article, but couldn’t focus on them or anything else for the rest of the day.
* * *
Dane paced across the deck of The Crab, adjusting the grass skirt that he’d put along the edge of one of the tables. He and Hannah had decorated the area for Dane’s surprise for Alissa, making it like a mini luau before the actual event. His hands were so sweaty that they stuck to the fabric hibiscus flowers in a vase. He was worried he was going to knock over one of the many candles they’d lit and catch the whole thing on fire.
He glanced over his shoulder toward where the rest of the restaurant’s tables were. Even though he wanted to surprise Alissa with what he’d learned, he didn’t want half of Blueberry Bay to witness it too. Not just because he was shy—though he had the moves down by heart now—but because he wanted it to just be for her. He hoped she’d love it.
“We’re good,” Hannah said, accurately reading his mind. “I promise everyone will be seated over there so your moment won’t be ruined.”
“Good. Thanks.” He blew out a breath and adjusted his printed shirt. It was way more flashy than anything he’d ever wear—dark blue with green and white printed hibiscus flowers on it. “I think it looks good.”
“It does. Oh, and I have the luau music good to go for when Alissa shows up,” Hannah said, standing with her hands on her hips.
Dane took another deep breath, making Hannah laugh.
“What?” Dane asked.
“You look like you’re going on your first date. Like not just your first date with Alissa, but your first date, period,” Hannah said.
Dane had to crack a smile at that. “I kind of do feel like that. I’ve never done anything like this for anyone. I feel like I know the steps but what if I forget and make a fool of myself?”
Hannah’s expression softened. “Genuine effort and caring about another person’s feelings can’t be taken wrong,” she said. “I’m sure she’ll be excited no matter what.”
Dane rolled his shoulders back, consciously keeping the tension out of them. Hannah was right. Even if Alissa only saw the decorations, she’d be happy.
“Oh, here she comes!” Hannah whispered, rushing over to her phone, which was hooked up to Bluetooth speakers.
Dane swallowed and got into position, his heart racing even though it was just them. Alissa rounded the corner and stopped the moment she took in the scene. Hula music started playing and Dane started the dance.
He was nervous at first, fumbling his hands, but once he recovered, his muscle memory took him through the moves. Alissa stood with one hand limp by her side and the other clutching the strap of her bag. The disbelief on her face made Dane bolder and he danced toward her.
He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Her grin spread across her face and her eyes shined with unshed tears.
“Dane…” She looked around the scene he and Hannah had set up, taking in the leis and all of the candles. “Is this what you’ve been working on? The dancing?”
“Yes.” Dane guided them through a few steps, turning them around. “For a while now.”
“After work? All those meetings with Josie?”
“Every one of those.” The music slowed and he stopped them, still holding her close.
“Wow.” Alissa dabbed at her eyes underneath her glasses. “I was afraid you and Josie were interested in each other or something.”
“Oh, definitely not.” Dane snorted. “She offered to help me learn how to do the hula so I wouldn’t embarrass you at the luau. She’s taken dance lessons and really helped me break down the steps.”
