Page 106 of Resorting to Romance

“It is. You never know where you’ll end up—or with whom.”

She bats her lashes up at me. It’s a subtle movement, nothing too forward, but I see it.

“You want to end up with someone who can’t live without you,” I say. “Someone you can’t live without.”

“Totally.” She nods.

“I want that for you, Aima.”

I do want the best for her. I hope she ends up happy whether she’s single or with a man who wants her the way I want Mila.

“I want that too, Kai.”

Pretty sure there was a misfire there. The way Aima’s looking at me says she still hopes that man is me.

“Ben!” I shout.

“Yeah, boss?” Ben strides toward me, and I’ve never been so happy to see him approaching in my life.

“Aima here is from Hawaii. We grew up together, likebrotherandsister.” I emphasize those words as if saying them will solidify our ohana status.

“Nice to meet you, Aima.”

“She’s never been to Marbella before.”

“Oh, well, let me show you around the shack and give you the lowdown on where to eat.”

“Um. Okay.” Aima glances over at me.

I grin a full smile at her.

I clap Ben on the back and walk over to my parents. “You know I have a girlfriend, right?”

“Yes, son. Where is she, though?”

“She’s working. She runs an inn on the North Shore.”

“North Shore?”

“We call it North Shore here too.”

My father nods. My mother smiles.

“You’ll meet her soon,” I tell them. “And she’s my date to the wedding.”

“So, it’s serious?” my mother asks.

“Very.”

Whaaat?

My mouth. What possesses me to say things like,I’m her boyfriend, andVery serious? Usually I’m reserved. I think before I speak. Lately, I don’t know what’s come over me besides a need to protect Mila and to be there for her any way I can.

My parents exchange a look.

“We’ve known one another for four years.”

“But you are only dating now, and it’s already serious?”

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