Page 1 of Beauty and the Beach

Chapter One

Makoa Chay was striving for inner peace, but he didn't have all day. The two idiots in the boat who were trying to distract him from spiritual enlightenment didn't help either.

"C'mon Forest Chump. If we’re late again, Amelia will have our ass," Kai said, waving his hand up and down in front of Makoa's face.

Makoa continued to sit cross legged on the flat rock that could only be seen at low tide. It was just past sunrise and the tropical wind had a bite in it. It was tempting to just give up his meditations and join his friends on the boat.

No, this was more important. He needed to commune with Kanaloa, the god of the ocean. And he needed to be alone when he did it. These guys would just make fun of him if they knew what he was planning.

"I’ve got to spear some ta’ape for dinner. Theresa's got a craving," Hani said. Theresa was only a few weeks pregnant, but the cravings had hit early. Last week, it had been malasadas dipped in honey. This week, apparently, it was for blue stripe snapper.

"So, go." Makoa made a shooing motion.

"Brah, if we leave you here, you're going to drown," Kai said, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Not if you're back before the tide comes in." Makoa figured they'd have to be back to clock in for their shift at the Palekaiko Beach Resort long before that happened. "Besides," he glanced over his shoulder. "It's not that far to shore." He could just about make out the curve of Blackrock. It wouldn’t be a fun swim, but as long as he swam parallel to the rip tide he’d be fine.

"At least take your surfboard," Hani said, jerking his thumb at the bright, banana yellow long board lying on the deck of the motorboat.

"It'll distract me."

"Whatever man." Kai dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Just tread water if we don't come back in time."

Makoa closed his eyes, hoping they got the hint. After a few more moments, he heard the outboard motor start up, and the small boat pulled away. He could feel the waves hit the rock, and a few splashed water over his toes.

He took a deep breath to center himself. The rhythm of the waves crashing around him soothed into his soul. If he could make a living at it, he’d have liked to be a fisherman. Spending the day in the middle of the ocean and sun, pulling up nets and diving for fish. But being a bellhop paid better. Plus, at the Palekaiko Beach Resort, he got free room and board. And all his friends worked there too. It was like one big party instead of work.

At least, that’s how it used to be. Hani getting engaged was the last straw for Makoa. All of his friends had found the love of their lives. Makoa was the only bachelor left in the group. Most of the time, he didn’t mind being alone. Except at the end of the night, when everyone paired off and it wasn’t even questioned that he would be the one to put out the bonfire, or clean up afterward.

Taking another breath of the fresh salt air, he cleared his mind of little jealousies and the pang of loneliness.

“Kanaloa,” he said aloud. “I know this is more Laka’s area, but the last time I did a hula I stubbed my toe and said some words I’m pretty sure the goddess of love didn’t appreciate.” He reached into his diving bag and pulled out some red lehua blossoms. Sprinkling them into the ocean, Makoa said, “So, I figured maybe you could put in a good word for me for her. Dude and Amelia, Marcus and Michaela, Holt and Joely, Kai and Marisol, and now Hani and Theresa are getting married. I don’t even have a girlfriend.”

Makoa pulled out a corked bottle from the pouch as well. “This is Uncle Uffe’s prime hooch. You can have it all.” He poured it into the ocean. The vapors were enough to bring tears to his eyes. “Just send a little romance my way.”

The wind picked up a bit, turning warmer. A large wave tossed him off the rock. Makoa figured that was a sign. As he pulled himself back on the rock, he wasn’t sure if the gods accepted his gifts or rejected them. He tried to meditate a little more on it, but wound up falling asleep until his friends came back for him.

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