Page 30 of Resorting to Romance

Ben cups his hands in front of his mouth and announces, “That would be a yes, ladies and gents. Kai Kapule did, actually, have his arm around Mila Mitchell. And he placed a loving kiss on her temple, like the doting boyfriend he is.”

No one is here to hear Ben’s ridiculousness, but I still find myself telling him to be quiet.

“Bro, calm down. We’re not dating.”

“So, it’s under wraps. Gotcha.” Ben makes a zipping motion across his lips, but his eyes crinkle with amusement. “Sort of a secret relationship? Clandestine meetings? You throwing pebbles at her window at night?”

“She lives on the first floor of the inn.”I nearly roll my eyes.

“And you know this because …”

“Because I’m over there doing repairs at least once a week.”

“Which was the way … you … fell … for … her.” He emphasizes each word, punctuating them with an infuriating smile. “It all makes sense now: Why you weren’t into Gemma. I see it all. And, don’t worry, Kai. I won’t tell anyone. I won’t even tell Bree what I know. Or Kalaine or Bodhi. I’ll be like a vault.”

For one ridiculous, out-of-my-ever-loving-mind moment, I consider telling Ben everything. But that moment passes, and I come to my senses. The only person I can talk to about this is Mila.

“How about you inventory those snorkel sets that came in yesterday and add them to the stock list online.” I give Ben my serious boss face.

“Gotcha, loverboy.” Ben makes that zipping motion across his lips again while wagging his eyebrows playfully at me.

Normally, I’d be amused. This is how we roll out here. We prank one another. We tease. We basically act like junior high boys with one another half the time, only the more grown-up version. If this situation with Mila’s ex weren’t so serious and concerning, and our need to fake a relationship weren’t growing faster than a rash from a man-o-war, I’d be laughing too.

At least I’m getting away for lunch.

Mila and I definitely need to talk.

TEN

Mila

The biggest fool is the one who

thinks they have fooled everyone.

~ Unknown

I’m placing lettuce in the homemade chicken salad croissant sandwich I’m making for Kai when the front door opens and closes. Kai’s in the doorway of the kitchen moments later, looking slightly frazzled. He’s changed out of the dress pants he had on this morning into shorts and a T-shirt. His dark hair is mussed, as if he’s been running his hands through it. He places a palm on the back of his neck and fixes his gaze on me before walking further into the kitchen.

“Did you eat?” he asks me.

“Not yet. But don’t worry about me. Here. Sit.” I point to one of the stools around the island.

“Thanks. Please, make yourself something and join me. You know I don’t like eating alone, and you need lunch.”

I consider resisting him, but then I think better of it. “Okay,” I say with a smile. “If you insist.”

“I do.”

Kai doesn’t take a bite of his sandwich until mine is made and I’m seated across from him. When he finally does dig in, he smiles over at me. “This is delicious. Everything you make has that special something about it. I don’t know how you do it.”

“It’s just a family recipe.”

“Nope. It’s you.”

I feel myself blush slightly. I’ve never been great about accepting compliments, and with the recent increase in touches from Kai … and especially that unexpected kiss to my temple this morning, his words hit me in a different way. A good way—like a cup of hot cinnamon tea on the porch swing at night, or the first firework over the water on the Fourth of July.

“Did you come over here just to make me squirm under your compliments, Kai?” My voice is meant to come across teasing, but there’s an airiness to it that surprises me.

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