Last Chance Motel 1 (Last Chance Romance Series) by Abigail Keam Page B

work, not bothering to come to the office.
    Eva had made a huge breakfast for him as a thank you for helping with the manatee, but as she saw him make his way to the next bungalow to demo followed by Juan, she threw the food in the disposal and put the dishes in her new dishwasher.
    For some reason, Mike regretted kissing her, so Eva would do as Mike was doing . . . pretend that it never happened.
    She never should have kissed him back. Instead, Eva should have slapped his face for impertinence. But Eva admitted to herself that she had enjoyed the kiss.
    But it was obvious that Mike didn’t want to get involved.
    Eva didn’t really blame him.
    There was a lot on his plate. He had a traumatized daughter who had seen her mother die in an unfortunate accident. His house had been destroyed in the hurricane and they were now living with his mother.
    Eva would just have to move on. She was making a new life for herself in Key Largo and Mike was just a small bump in the road.

19
    M ike had been thinking about Eva all night. In fact, he got little sleep. He hadn’t been this restless since . . . well, since Beth.
    He didn’t want to think about Eva. Mike didn’t want to invest in a relationship that wasn’t going to stick. He didn’t think Eva would hang around. She’d sell the Last Chance Motel and move back to the Big Apple.
    Mike couldn’t take that chance with Jenny . . . or with himself either. He didn’t know what to do.
    But he couldn’t forget that kiss. It was explosive, at least on his part. Maybe he should feel Eva out. Maybe she might be interested too.
    All through the day, he tried to stay away from Eva. Being around her clouded his judgment.
    Juan said he was being ridiculous . . . that Mike should talk with Eva.
    After being harangued all afternoon by Juan, Mike decided to take his advice.
    He went to look for Eva. Of course, he found her in a bathroom with a radio blasting away.
    Mike turned down the radio. “Eva, can I talk to you?”
    “Sure thing. What do you need?”
    Mike wanted to say . . . “you” but thought that was too corny.
    Eva waited for Mike to speak. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he answered “you” to her question! She knew it would be corny, but awfully romantic.
    Instead Mike stammered, “I think I might work late tonight. Okay with you?”
    Disappointed, Eva nodded.
    Mike stood staring at her.
    “Is there something else?”
    Finally Mike gathered up his courage. “I hope you’re not mad at me for kissing you last night.”
    “I was surprised but not angry. It was nice.”
    “Really?”
    Eva smiled. “Yes, it was pleasant.”
    “Maybe you and I can go out sometime . . . like to dinner.”
    “As on a date?”
    Mike puffed up his chest. “Yeah. No. Yes. Like a date. Would you like that?”
    “Dinner would be nice.”
    “That’s great. I don’t have time for the next several weeks but how about after that?”
    “Just ask me again when you have freed up some time.”
    Mike smiled. “Will put on my to-do list.”
    Eva wiped dust off her face while chuckling. “That’s a first for me, being put on a to-do list.”
    “Okay, Boss Lady. I’ll get back to you in a couple of weeks.”
    “You know where to find me.”
    Mike grinned and started backing out of the bathroom until he stumbled over some buckets.
    Eva tried not to laugh.
    Mike clumsily straightened the stack of buckets and made a hasty retreat. He felt his chest. His heart was pounding.
    “What have I just gotten myself into?” muttered Mike under his breath. But he wasn’t upset anymore. The hurdle had been jumped. He had asked Eva out.
    What will happen will happen.

20
    E va decided it was time to go to a popular watering hole and meet the local homies. She needed to start making relationships with resident business people, and also try the restaurants so she could make recommendations to her motel guests.
    She shaved her legs and the small moustache above her upper lip after rubbing