Page 11 of Resorting to Romance

But I’m not a twenty-something-year-old guy, out for a goodtime. Something happened to me when I turned thirty. If I date, it’s not merely to distract myself or find some temporary comfort and companionship. I’m looking for something serious. Or not. And I don’t want to lead anyone on, especially not someone as nice as Gemma. She’s not it for me. Knowing that means I don’t walk her home. And I don’t stay for another dance. I leave her there to enjoy the rest of the night with her friends while I go let a mutt out before that hairy beast climbs into my bed and curls up on top of my feet.

Not that I’m telling my sister about Shaka finding his way up onto my mattress at night. It’s not like I want a dog in my bed. I just can’t sleep with him whining some forlorn dog version of a sad song. He left me no choice.

I’m brushing my teeth, staring at myself in the bathroom mirror as if it holds the answers to life, when my phone vibrates on the counter, shaking me out of whatever thoughts I was having.

Mila’s name and face flash on my screen—at 11:42 at night?

“Mila? Is everything okay?”

“Yes … No. Well. No. Not at all, actually. I called Jason, but he’s not answering. The kitchen faucet was dripping on and off this week but the main problem is that hanging sprayer. It won’t turn off unless I use the lever to redirect all the water to the faucet over the kitchen sink. So, that’s what I do every time. I use the sprayer, then switch the lever. I kept planning to call you or Jason.” Mila pauses and a gasp comes through the phone. Then I hear a soft thud when she sets the phone down and shouts. “Oh! Gosh! Hold on Kai!”

Shuffling and clunking noises fill the background. Then Mila’s back on the line. “Sorry about that. I’ve just been up to my ears with new guests and a project for Noah’s class … Anyway …” Mila blows out a long breath. “I was doing some batch cooking after everyone was in bed. I turned the sprayer on to wash the mixing bowls and baking sheets. And, well, the top of the sprayer popped loose. I was drenched in an instant. The kitchen floor is covered in water. It just started spraying everywhere!”

“Just now?”

“A few minutes ago. I’m so sorry. Were you asleep?”

“No. Not at all. I was …”Out dancing. “Just home getting ready to call it a night. I’m here alone with my sister’s dog while they’re on their trip. I’m coming right over. Turn off the water supply outside. You know where that is, right?”

“Yes. I shut it off already. But so much water already sprayed out of the sprayer. The kitchen is nearly a quarter of an inch deep right now. I’ve got a bucket and mop and towels thrown around everywhere.” Mila sighs. “You don’t have to come over. Just tell me what to do. Maybe you can walk me through it? I just have to turn the water back on before the morning for cooking and showers … Except … Oh! I don’t know what I was thinking. My guests will need to flush toilets overnight. I don’t want to have to have them relocate …”

Her voice trails off as if she’s nearly forgotten I’m on the other end of the line.

“Mila, I’m already grabbing a shirt and heading your way.”

“You didn’t have a shirt on? Oh. Kai, I’m sorry. You were in bed, weren’t you?”

“No. I was just brushing my teeth. Don’t worry about me. I’m not the least bit tired.” I balance the phone between my ear and my shoulder while I shuck my pj bottoms and grab my pants off the chair and throw them on. Then I pull a clean T-shirt off a hanger in my closet and slip it on while holding the phone just a few inches from my face.

“Out the door already. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“I don’t know how to thank you, Kai. You’re the best.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“Well, I don’t deserve you, but I promise to make it up to you in baked goods.”

“Now who’s spoiled? I’d repipe your whole inn for freecoffee cake and those savory tarts you make. I’m already on my bike. See you in fifteen.”

Mila and I hang up and I stuff my phone in my back pocket. Then I pedal to get to her as quickly as I can.

I keep a set of tools at Mila’s. Local contractors and handymen do jobs for her when she needs something more complex or time consuming. But they charge a lot, so I insist on her calling me for smaller jobs. Besides, we’re friends. It’s the least I can do to help her keep the inn running smoothly.

She pays me in home cooking and the occasional paycheck. I keep telling her I’d pitch in for free. I do other jobs for a few other North Shore residents. They all pay me. But they aren’t single moms trying to run their own small businesses while raising a young boy. Mila’s not a charity case. She’s a good friend. And I treat her like ohana—family.

The night air refreshes me, blowing off the heavy, uncertain thoughts I’ve been batting around all night. Heading to Mila’s Place gives me a sense of purpose. Helping other people always does— especially her.

I park my bike in the racks Mila has out front of the white picket fence surrounding the inn. Then I take the porch steps in two strides. Mila opens the door before I knock, looking slightly frazzled, but still beautiful. Her long brown hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun, strands hang loosely around the edges of her face in wet tendrils. She’s wearing a vintage T-shirt and shorts. Her feet are bare.

While I felt nothing but a neutral appreciation for Gemma at the club, I can’t help but notice the feeling I have whenever I see Mila. The same word always comes to mind:home. Mila is comfort, welcome, hospitality, and warmth. She’s the type of person that makes others feel like everything will be alright. With merely a smile she sends me silent assurance that I’m doing just what I should and I don’t need to change a thing about myself or my life.

Only, right now, her usual calm is tinged with an edge ofdistress. One I’m going to alleviate, because I can’t stand to see her rattled. I can do something to ease that look on her face—and I will.

“Kai.” The way she says my name is everything.

She’s relieved—because I’m here. One word from her in that soft, trusting tone was all I needed to settle whatever was stirring around in my head and heart all night.

“I’m here. Let’s fix your faucet.”

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