Page 51 of Even Ground

“We have to get going otherwise we’ll miss it,” Reece says.

“Miss what?”

“You’ll see.”

I hold my arms up. “Okay, let’s go.”

Delaney hands Reece the car keys, and I get back in the passenger seat while he loads a basket into the back.

My mouth waters at the familiar scent of freshly baked food.

Reece climbs into the driver’s seat and clicks his seatbelt on. “Leilani packed a picnic for us.”

I lean back. “She’s so good to you.”

He starts the engine, and we move off down the driveway. “I’m very lucky to have found her. She worked for the couple who owned the house before me, then stayed on when I begged her. I never have to worry about anything. She just takes care of it.”

“And you.”

He flicks a bemused glance at me. “And me. I don’t get to stay here as often as I’d like, but I try and make the most of it when I do. Leilani fusses over me about as much as Delaney does.”

I snicker. “You’re such a big baby.”

“I like the attention. What man doesn’t?” He grins and takes a turn that leads us up hill.

“Where are we going?”

“My favourite place. Where I go to think.”

We drive the opposite way to the route I took with Delaney, eventually following a road that winds up a hill. There are no houses up here—trees and greenery line both sides of the road, which seems to get narrower until we pass through some gates that lead to a car park.

“Where are we?”

He smiles. “Tantalus lookout. There’s a great view of Honolulu from here.” After pulling the car into an empty park, he turns off the engine. “There’s a short walk, and we can sit on the grass and eat while we watch the sunset.”

My heart.

I swish my open palm toward him. “Lead the way.”

Reece grabs the basket of food, and I follow him along a concrete path. He’s right, it is only a short walk, and there’s a large grassed area where other people are already sitting.

I catch my breath at the view. The city lies below us, and in the distance the blue-green ocean beckons. I think we might just have to visit the beach tomorrow.

“What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful.” There’s so much to look at—the suburban houses that surround the city, to the taller buildings in the centre.

“We moved around a lot when I was a kid, but the first time I came here it felt right.”

He’s gazing out over the view, but my eyes are firmly on him. We’ve shared a lot of laughs, and a few confusing moments, but this is the most serious I’ve ever seen Reece.

“I’m glad I came on this trip.”

Reece focuses his blue-eyes on me.

“Thank you for bringing me up here.”

He drops the basket to the ground and digs his hands into his pockets. “You’re the first person I’ve brought here. But I figured that we’ve spent the week together, and I’ve heard a lot about your life, so maybe it’s time for me to share.”

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