When they reached the front door of Danny’s house, Liz turned to Ian. “Thanks for the escort. Now, get back over there and enjoy your party. I hope I didn’t ruin it.”

“You couldn’t ruin anything if you tried.” Ian leaned in and kissed her cheek. It was warm.

“Next time, leave that shovel at home, ya here?” she said as a smile played at the corners of her full lips.

“One day, I’ll pay you a compliment and you’ll accept it.”

“You’re an actor. I might not believe anything that comes out of your mouth,” she said with a smirk and raised eyebrows.

He tsked. “So cynical. I wonder what made you that way?”

Liz tilted her head to one side and her smile broadened as she shrugged. Ian was caught in it, forgetting what he’d even said. There was something about her. Not one thing, but many little things, all of which added up to something really unexpected.

“I’ve always been this way. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to imply that you aren’t a good actor. I honestly don’t know. But I Googled you and you’ve been at it a long time, so I bet you’re pretty talented.”

“You Googled me?” Warmth spread through his chest and his own smile broadened. It was ridiculous to be so enamored by this Southern belle. Women searched for him online quite frequently, but he didn’t know those women. This one was standing a few feet away, breathing the same air. He was on the verge of asking her to dinner, but stopped himself just in time. If he couldn’t think of another option, she might be his caregiver and she definitely wouldn’t want to date him then.