Page 66 of Catch a Wave

“Okay. Well, call me tomorrow or Friday.”

“I will. Love you, Lei.”

“Love you too, Kah.”

We hang up. I get ready, put Shaka back out into the yard, and then I grab the used bike Kai got for me and ride over to C-Side coffee to meet Summer. There aren’t words for what it feels like to be on a bicycle. My life’s still aimless and far too dependent on my brother. When I’m on a bike with the breeze in my hair and the sun in my face, I can forget how stuck I am. At least for the short ride from Kai and Bodhi’s to C-Side, I’m carefree and adventuresome again.

Summer’s sitting at the coffee bar, chatting with Riley when I walk in.

“Kalaine!” Summer shouts. “You have to try this new drink Riley made.”

“Okay. I’m game.” I slip onto the stool next to Summer.

“It’s called the Monroe. I personally hate the name, but the drink is worth the humiliation.”

“Why would having a drink named after you be humiliating?” Riley asks Summer.

“I don’t want to be that person.”

“You’re not that person. I am. I named the drink after one of my closest friends who happens to be a local celebrity.”

Clarissa, the owner of C-Side comes in from the patio. “Oh, hi, Kalaine. Look at you! No boot.”

“Yep,” Summer says as if she healed me herself. “We’re planning a party … a bootless bonfire. Boots-off? Buh-bye bootie? I like big boots? … I’m working on the name.”

The four of us laugh.

“We don’t need to name it,” I offer. “And you don’t need to throw a party. I don’t really know that many people here.”

“Oh. We need the party. And we need to theme it, shugah.” Summer’s voice takes on that soft southern lilt. “Besides, what better way to get to know people than at a party in your honor?”

“Don’t even try to dissuade her,” Riley says.

She sets a drink in front of me. “The Monroe. Let me know what you think.”

The drink is beautiful. Caramel drizzle lines the inside of my glass. There’s a cold foam topped with more caramel drizzle and what looks like a sprinkling of cinnamon and these little brown sugar crystals.

I take a sip. “Mmmm. That’s so good.”

Riley beams. “It’s cinnamon and caramel with vanilla cold brew. It encompasses both the sweet and sassy sides of Summer Monroe. It’s gorgeous and complex, but surprisingly your favorite once you give it a try.”

“Awww,” Summer smiles at Riley. “That’s almost a compliment. And so so true. I’m an acquired taste.”

“I never got sassy vibes from you,” I tell Summer.

“Me neither,” Riley agrees. “But I’ve seen Summer in action. Trust me. You’re just glad you weren’t the sad puppy dog trying to win her heart.”

Summer laughs. “He won it. So …”

Riley just smiles.

“Oh!” Summer turns to me. “Did Phyllis get a hold of you yet?”

“No. Why?”

“Her niece Mila runs a bed and breakfast. I think Phyllis told you about her. Anyway, Mila needs someone to work the front desk at her place part-time. There’s no physical labor involved. It would be something to do. A way to make a little money … I thought of you.”

“Wow. Okay.”

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