Page 97 of Resorting to Romance

Ben zips his lip. He actually zips his lip. Then he says, “No talking. Just observe.”

After two afternoon surf lessons, I’m ready to head out for the day. I decide to stop by C-Side coffee for a to-go sandwich and an iced tea. I don’t feel like cooking and I could use a change of scenery. I call Mila on my way there.

“Hey,” Mila answers, sounding really happy to hear from me.

My thoughts smooth out at the mere sound of her voice.

“Hey. How’s it going?”

“Good. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Yeah? I’ve been thinking about you too. You know, about this weekend. And about getting some time to get our stories straight.”

“Yeah. Of course. Yes. We need to do that.” She pauses. “So … how was your day?”

“Good. Ben brought up something this afternoon.”

I tell Mila all about Ben’s question about what Kala and Bodhi will do for living arrangements after the wedding. She just listens and doesn’t try to solve anything for me.

We talk all the way until I get to C-Side. She waits on the phone while I place my order. Then we talk while I walk home. When I get in the door, I set my food on the coffee table, kick off my shoes and put my feet up. We’re still talking—not just about Bodhi and Kalaine now, about her day, Noah’s birthday party, the tourists we interacted with this week.

Our talk goes on while I eat my dinner. It turns out Noah’s at a friend’s for the evening, and Mila already set out warmers with all the fixings for tacos for her guests. So, she’s sitting at the kitchen island and I’m sitting on my couch while we share a meal together.

It’s dark out when Kalaine and Bodhi come back from wherever they went. Shaka’s got his head on my lap and I’m rubbing his ears absentmindedly while Mila tells me a story about her and Chloe from years ago. I don’t even know how we got on the subject, but I don’t want her to stop talking.

“Hey,” I say, waving to my sister and Bodhi as they settle in on the couch across from me.

I stand. Shaka jumps up and walks over to them. I head into my room. I don’t need four eyes staring me down while I talk to Mila.

“Did you get my text about getting together with the group?” I ask, reclining on my bed and switching the phone to my other ear.

“Yes. It sounds like fun. And I know we need to make time to work on our get-the-story-straight stuff before the wedding. It’s just been really busy.”

“Here too. I’ll text you some dates. Okay?”

“That would be great.”

There’s a prolonged silence and I think Mila might be about to say goodbye.

Then her voice comes across softer, more hesitant. “Kai?”

“Yeah?”

“Is it weird to say I’ve missed you this week? That’s weird, right?”

“I missed you too.” I smile.

She missed me. Even if it’s just our friendship, it’s nice to be missed—by her, especially.

I almost say,I love you, Mila. The words feel like greyhounds at the gate.

What am I thinking?

Apparently, love makes me crazy.

Certifiably crazy.

TWENTY-EIGHT

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