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At a loss for words, she instinctively kissed him back. Put her arms around his neck and fused her mouth to his, cutting off any breathing space between them. Pleasure and happiness and…love echoed through her body.
She loved Zane.
She pulled back, breathing heavily. Zane was too.
“Wow,” he said, his voice ragged. He touched his forehead to hers. “You’re ruining me, you know that?”
“I could say the same to you.”
“Yeah, well, we both knewthatwould happen. You’re an angel to my devil and I should stay away from you, but I can’t.”
“I’m glad.”
He lifted away, cold air taking his place, and she almost grabbed his shirt and brought him back. “You really did an amazing job tonight,” he said. “You’ve done an awesome job all week. You’ve impressed everyone, and I say go for it.”
“Go for it?”
“The American Cancer Society. Whatever organization you want. You’re ready.” He flashed a smile. “Now I need to haul ass before Danny realizes I’ve run back here.”
“Have fun.”
“I’d have a lot more fun if you were there.”
“How about I show you some fun tomorrow night?” She put a hand on his chest. If he stood within touching distance, it was impossible to keep her hands to herself.
He arched an eyebrow. “Say the word.”
“I plan to.”
“Christ, you’re making it hard to walk away from you.”
She gave him a little push. “Go on.”
He stumbled back. “Good night, Sophie.”
“Good night, Zane.” She watched him leave and her stomach clenched. Because in three days, he’d leave her for good, and the thought of never seeing him again hurt. Hurt worse than anything. But she owed him a debt of gratitude, too. She’d come to White Strand with the goal of stepping out of her comfort zone with her first vacation and furthering her career, and Zane had helped her accomplish both.
Stealing her heart, he’d accomplished on his own.
She wished he’d want to keep it.
Chapter Ten
The next day flew by with two film panels and a scavenger hunt. Sophie didn’t have a second to sit down, bouncing from the movie discussions to a game around town that had her and her scavenger hunt group with a list of things to photograph that included a team member climbing up a fire truck’s turntable ladder, a man with a mullet, and a group shot with a live lobster. Danny had tried to get her in Zane’s group, but it hadn’t worked out, so she and Honor were paired with a few other professional surfers and local residents. Several times throughout the day, though, Zane texted her.
He was sweet and funny, and she found herself in a cloud of Zaneness she didn’t want to end. When their groups practically collided on Main Street, he grabbed her and ducked them down a tiny alley between red brick buildings.
“Hey!” she said on a giggle.
“Shh,” he answered.
She took a quick glance straight down the narrow walkway. The turquoise sea shimmered in the distance. It was like looking through a viewfinder, and she inwardly smiled, tucking another image away to recall later.
Then Zane nudged her against the wall and trapped her between bent arms. Her breath caught. She’d hoped their paths would cross, and here they were. He canted his head down and her lips parted and her eyes closed in anticipation of his kiss.
The boisterous sound of teenage boys coming down the alley interrupted them.
“Brah, you didn’t see the air I got. It was gnarly.”
