Page 9 of Changing Tides

“It takes two weeks at sea to get here. They usually stay two to three weeks, and then we sail them back,” Sebastian explains.

“So, your entire summer is bringing them here and taking them back?” I ask.

“Pretty much, but they pay us very well, and we get to stay on the yacht for free while we’re on the island. So, it’s a sweet deal,” Parker replies.

“Damn, that’s a cool gig,” Amiya says. She looks at me. “It sure beats waiting tables all summer.”

“Where are you ladies from, and what brings you to Oahu?” Anson asks.

“We’re from Atlanta, and we both attend the University of Georgia. We’ll be graduating next spring,” Amiya answers.

Parker leans back in his chair. “I knew it. I knew I heard a sweet Southern accent.”

We fall into an easy rapport as we are served a delicious feast of poi, fish, roasted kalua pig, limu, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, lau lau, opihi, and a selection of fresh fruits and haupia.

As the night wears on, we find ourselves on the dance floor.

Our laughter mingles with the music as Amiya and I try our hand at hula dancing, following the instructions of the locals.

The boys join us, and before I know it, Sebastian and I are moving in harmony, our bodies swaying to the melody. In that moment, it feels like the crowd has faded away, leaving only the two of us.

As the luau reaches its end, we steal away to the shoreline with our bellies full of wonderful food and cocktails in our hands.

The moon’s soft glow illuminates the waves, casting a magical spell upon the beach.

Sebastian and Anson build a fire, and we sit and enjoy the night breeze and the sound of the waves meeting the sand.

Parker receives a text from a girl he met earlier in the week, and he and Anson talk Amiya into accompanying them to the tiki bar a few miles down the beach.

“You sure you don’t want to come? It’s still early,” Amiya asks.

I shake my head. “Nah. I just want to stay and enjoy the moonlit beach a while longer,” I say.

“I’ll stay and keep her company.”

Her eyes slide to Sebastian, and she smiles.

Then, she turns back to me and leans down to whisper in my ear, “Remember what I said about getting under a hot stranger.”

I push her away, and she winks at me.

“All right, you two kids have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she says as she follows the guys, and I watch them fade out of sight.

“They’ll take good care of her. You don’t have to worry. Trust me,” Sebastian assures.

They should be the ones worried.

I turn back to him and smile. “I do.”

And it’s true. I just met him, but for some reason, I do trust him.

It’s probably the cocktails.

“What do you say to a night swim?” he asks.

“I do have my bathing suit on under my dress,” I muse.

He stands and offers me his hand.

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