Free Whitney in Charge by Diane Craver

to go out to dinner tonight?”
    When it rained it poured. And Whitney realized that she was more disappointed at the thought of not seeing Jack than she expected. She wanted to meet him, even after just a few phone calls. But it’d be rude to cancel her date with Ben, even though he hadn’t called it a ‘date’. Whitney sighed. “I’m sorry. I have plans this evening with a friend to go hiking.”
    “Don’t be sorry. Asking you on such short notice was a bad idea on my part. I’m on call, anyway. I’d hate for something to happen tonight and I’d have to cut our evening short.”
    “I hope not. That must be scary when you receive a call.”
    “Every time we go out, we have no real idea what we’re dealing with until we get there. That’s the worst of it. Not being prepared or at least, I don’t feel prepared sometimes.”
    “I don’t think I’ve ever heard Casey talk like that,” Whitney said. “But I imagine he must.”
    “I do mean it, Whitney. I’d like to meet you. I didn’t at first, I’ll admit, because I’m not a fan of being set up.”
    “Join the club. I hate it too.”
    “I’ve enjoyed talking with you. I’d like to do it face-to-face. Over dinner or coffee or whatever. How about later in the week?”
    “I would like that, Jack,” she answered, knowing she meant it.
    They hung up, and Whitney tried to convince herself she could still have fun with Ben even though her mind would be on Jack that evening. She took a long soak in a bubble filled bath, determined to have fun.
    With a huge towel wrapped around her body, she stood in front of her closet. Finally, she decided on a new pair of jeans that fit her snugly, but not too tight for the hiking she looked forward to doing with Ben. She slipped on a Liz Claiborne light green top she’d bought recently. A few minutes before six, she decided to go on the front porch to wait for Ben and Adam.
    She picked up her purse and felt the buzz of her phone inside. Rummaging through until she found it, she managed to answer before it went to voicemail. It was Regan. She’d sent a text message to Regan about her date with Ben. “I’m still going. I didn’t cancel.”
    Regan laughed. “You know me too well. I’m glad you both like to hike. I bet you’ll have fun together.”
    “I hope Adam doesn’t mind his dad won’t be picking him up after karate. Ben called me again and said we wouldn’t have enough time to hike and get something to eat if he got Adam after his class. So his sister’s picking him up instead.”
    “Actually I know,” Regan said. “I called Ben and offered to drive Adam after I got your text. I wanted you to have enough time for your date. What did you decide to wear?”
    After she told her, Ben pulled into the driveway. “Regan, I have to go. Ben’s here.”
    “Find out if he’s a good kisser.”
    She hurried off the porch to walk to Ben’s car. “We’re just going hiking, no smooching allowed on the trails.”
    Regan laughed. “You’re kidding. He’s taking you on a trail to kiss you. I could tell right off the bat Ben was a romantic kind of guy.”
    She stopped by Ben’s car. “Bye, Sis.”
    “Wait. Don’t forget to take notes about the resort.”
    “Maybe we should come pick you up so you can just go too.”
    “No way. I’m not getting in the way of Ben’s romantic plans.”
    Whitney shook her head. “Talk to you later. We’re leaving now.”
    She dropped the phone into her bag as Ben came around her side and opened the door. “Hi, Ben.”
    He grinned. “I bet it was Regan. Am I right?”
    She nodded before climbing into the car. “How did you know it was Regan and not Shannon?”
    “You told me Shannon had a college meeting to attend tonight, and Regan had cupcakes to bake for a school carnival. I figured Regan decided she wanted to know more about the resort.”
    Looking up at him from the front seat, she said, “You’re a good listener.” She turned around to look at Adam. “Hi,