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“I do. They showed me a few areas yesterday so I could get a feel for the island.” I peer over at Nia. “Can you see yourself living here?”

“I’m not sure. It’s really different from Seattle.”

“It is, but maybe we were both stuck in a rut there, and this move will be a good thing.”

“Maybe. It’s hard to say after only thirty-six hours. But your family is wonderful. I’m glad you all connected. Moving here will definitely be good for you.”

“I want it to be good for us.” I squeeze her hand. “Have you given more thought to marrying me?”

She nibbles pensively on her lip. “Every day. But nothing has changed, Evan. I can’t marry you for purely practical reasons.”

Because she wants love. I hold in a sigh. I have to take the guys’ advice and prove I can make her deliriously happy, even if those three words will never cross my lips.

“You wouldn’t be. There are a lot of wonderful reasons, too. But let’s enjoy our time together today and worry about the future later.”

As I suspected, my suggestion stuns her. “You, putting something off? Isn’t that impractical?”

I grin wryly. “You wanted to date and get to know each other better, so this is me being wild and crazy…for you.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Evan?”

“I have an unpredictable side,” I insist. “You’ll see.”

I’m going to persuade you to say yes to being my wife.

Nia is still eyeing me like she’s wondering what I’m up to. “Why?”

When I roll to a stop at a light, I reach across the car, wrap my palm around her nape, and drag her lips under mine. As soon as our mouths meet, we’re connected by more than our kiss. I groan. It feels like forever since I’ve been this close to her.

She opens beneath me instantly, and I’m grateful as hell she’s receptive after I’ve bungled everything up to this point. But she’s right there with me, lips sliding open with a little pant of need, pressing in as if she can’t get enough of me, either. Something about the way she tastes obliterates rational thought and rouses the primal animal in me.

Her tongue dances with mine. I grab her, lunge, thrust again, needing more. She throws herself against me, fingers clutching at me as she whimpers and falls deeper into the kiss.

Then suddenly she’s pulling away.

“Nia…” I grip her nape tighter. “I don’t want to stop.”

“The light.”

I look up. It’s green, and I suddenly remember: traffic, civilization, the critical plans I have today. If I do this right, I’ll be able to kiss her any day, any time, any way—forever.

Swallowing back a curse, I press on the accelerator and mingle with traffic.

Less than five silent minutes later, we arrive. As I park, I see her looking around. In typical Nia fashion, she understands immediately.

“We’re taking a helicopter ride?”

“What better way to see the island than from above?”

I had to talk myself into this. Statistically, helicopters are one of the least safe forms of transportation, and I understand all too well the significance of weather, wind, and the reliability of the vehicle’s maintenance and performance. Luckily, this is a nearly perfect day in Hawaii, and the pilot is someone Maxon and Griff know well. He’s been flying for thirty years, and they swear there’s no one better.

If showing Nia that I can be romantic will help sway her to say “I do,” then I’m willing to take a few calculated risks.

We enter the no-nonsense office. Gary greets me, a smile lifting his graying beard as he shakes my hand. He’s wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt and a tan that makes his blue eyes look almost electric.

“Welcome. You’re one of Maxon and Griff’s brothers, huh? They said you’re moving here.”

“I am. They seem really happy on the island, so why not?”