Page 105 of Resorting to Romance

“Ex-wife.”

“Exactly.” I breathe out a sigh of relief. “Still, Mila’s oblivious to how he looks at her. And it kills me, if I’m honest. Sometimes I think how unfair it is that he had her—all of her.”

“Look who’s got her now.” Bodhi means for his words to be a consolation, but they’re far from it.

“No one, man. No one’s got her. I’m herfakeboyfriend. As weird as it is, I’m in the same boat as Brad. We both want her and neither one of us gets to have her.”

“Beg to differ.” Bodhi smirks over at me. “I saw her leaning on you when we had our barbecue. Who was there? Me, Mavs, Cam, Riley, Ben, Summer, you. She didn’t need to convince any of us. She’s into you.”

“Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s not readyto do anything about it. If she even isinto me, she’s not pursuing anything with anyone for years.”

“Patience grasshopper.”

I shoot Bodhi a look.

“Seriously. Be patient. A woman can change her mind.”

I look down at my coffee and back up into the face of my best friend.

Bodhi smiles serenely. “Mavs did. If she did, anyone can.”

THIRTY

Kai

Is there anything better than

to be longing for something,

when you know it is within reach?

Greta Garbo

My sister and Bodhi will be married in two days.

My family arrived a few hours ago on the ferry, along with Aima and her parents and some other close friends and relatives from Hawaii. They’re all staying at Alicante in rooms at the resort, but right now, they’ve converged on my place of work like a litter of puppies crawling over one another, touching things they shouldn’t and yapping incessantly.

“So, this is where you work?” Aima asks, stating the obvious.

“It is. My office is there.” I point to the back of the shop. “And there.” I point out the door toward the ocean.

“It’s ideal for you. Really, Kai. Do you love it here?”

Aima’s a sweet woman. Kind hearted. If we weren’t wrongfully “betrothed" I'd be way more welcoming right now.

“Honestly? Yes. I really love it here. When I came to Marbella,I thought it would be temporary. I needed a break from the surf circuit and from everything going on with Kalaine and Bodhi. But now, I love it.”

“I’m glad. You look well.” She tucks a strand of her full dark hair behind her ear.

Aima has typical Hawaiian hair. It’s wild and long and thick, nearly black, but with mahogany or red tones when the light hits it. She’s wearing a floral sundress. She’s definitely beautiful. Just … nothing. I feel nothing but brotherly affection for her.

“Do you think you’ll come home one day?” she asks.

“No one knows the future, but if I base it on my life now? No. I don’t see myself back on the islands to live. Of course, I’ll always visit regularly as long as my ohana is there.”

“Wow.”

“I know. Life’s funny that way. Isn’t it?”

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