Page 27 of Beauty and the Beach

Makoa nearly dropped his phone. Like a sleep over?

Only no sleeping, just a lot of fucking.

This time the birds and a few tourists fled the area at Makoa's shout.

***

THE NEXT DAY, MAKOA tried to be casual as he waited for Ana by the front desk. Kai was talking Hani down from a ledge and Makoa was pretty sure it involved an alcoholic beverage. Hani was getting married in less than an hour. If Makoa was the groom, he'd probably be breathing in a paper bag right now too.

What if Ana got attacked by a shark or Don changed his mind about letting her go?

Makoa's hands clenched into fists. He'd never even know.

Amelia was doling out last minute instructions to the second shift. Joely came up to him. "Are you all right? You look worse than Hani."

"I'm just waiting."

Joely bit her lip. "You know it's okay if you don't have a date, right?"

"You think I made her up." He rolled his eyes.

"No. No, I didn't say that. It's just that it's a little odd that none of us have met her."

"I told you. She's got a very busy job."

"Yeah, but you didn't tell us what she does."

"She'll be here," Makoa said. "And you can ask her yourself."

"Okay." Joely rubbed his arm to comfort him and then went towards the beach where the ceremony was going to take place.

"You should be with Hani right now," Amelia said gently. "I can keep an eye out for her."

"She'll be here."

"I hope so," Amelia said under her breath.

But just then, a black Uber pulled up and Makoa recognized Ana through the tinted windows. Pushing aside Amelia, Makoa ran up to the car to help Ana out of the seat. And then she was in his arms and he was kissing her with all the passion he had been keeping inside all week. It wasn't until the Uber driver honked that he realized they were standing in front of the car.

"E kala mai," Makoa said, giving the driver the shaka.

"Get a room."

"Got one," he shot back, slinging an arm around Ana's shoulders.

"Roger dat," The driver said, before taking off.

Makoa noticed that Amelia was staring at them wide-eyed. "Amelia, this is my girl friend, Ana. Ana that's Dude's wife and my boss."

"Hi, Makoa's told me so much about you guys. I can't wait to meet everyone."

"He's said absolutely nothing about you, but I can tell you there are a lot of people who are dying to meet you. Aloha!" Amelia gave her a swift hug.

Ana bit her lip and looked at him. Makoa didn't like the hurt look in her eyes. "You told me I had to keep things secret. I don't do well with stuff like that so I find it easier not to say anything."

She immediately relaxed. "Oh that."

"We've got some time before the ceremony. Let's drop off your bag in my room." Makoa took the duffle bag from Ana and steered her away before Amelia could start in on the third degree that he could see her gearing up for.

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