Page 1 of Resorting to Romance

ONE

Kai

I’d like to think that I’ve got determination,

and I’m fiercely protective of the people I love.

~ Andrew Lincoln

“And now it’s my honor and pleasure to welcome the two people we’re all here to support and cheer for, our island’s own: Kalaine Kapule and Bodhi Merrick. Give it up for these two!”

From his spot on the stage, Cameron gestures his hand toward our table as my sister and my best friend stand, scooting their chairs out and locking eyes with one another before Bodhi puts his hand on my sister’s back to escort her onto the platform.

We’re seated at tables covered in white tablecloths. Twinkle lights sway overhead on strings between palm trees. Candles and tiki torches reflect in a soft glow over the surface of the pools around the edge of this back patio at Alicante Resort.

The crowd claps politely, and Ben, my employee at the watersports shack here at the resort, places his fingers in his mouth andwhistles long and hard. Then, from his spot across the table from me, he shouts, “Let’s hear it for theitcouple of surfing!”

Our table erupts into laughter. I can’t help but crack a smile.

Ben’s outburst serves as a catalyst, and the crowd shifts from behavior matching our formal attire to howls and shouts far more fitting the true beach-surf community camouflaged beneath our tuxedos and gowns.

Bodhi takes the mic from Cameron. His hand remains on Kalaine’s back. He catches my sister’s eyes again and they share a private smile—one I’ve had to get used to over the years they’ve been dating, and especially now that they are engaged with a wedding mere months away.

“Thank you!” Bodhi shouts, which draws another wave of cheers from the crowd. “We’re so grateful all of you came out tonight. It’s pretty crazy seeing my best friend in anything but board shorts and a pair of flip-flops, unless he’s going in for his weekly business meeting in the main building. So, for that alone, I thank you.”

The crowd rewards Bodhi with a collective laugh. He smiles his trademark winsome smile in return. A few people at my table and the surrounding seats glance over at me in acknowledgment, so I spread my arms out to show off the fact that, yes, I’m wearing a tux.

“Mavs—Kalaine—and I will always hold Marbella close to our heart. This island is the place we made our way back to one another, and to surfing. So, as we go out, sponsored by Rip Curl and Roxy—I have to say that, so there you have it. If any of our sponsors are watching the live feed … check.”

The crowd laughs again. I suppress an eye roll. We’ve all been sponsored. When I was competing as a pro-surfer, I did the dance too. Bodhi and Kalaine are so big now, companies drool over the opportunity to have their names attached to these two. Still, there’s the puppetry you have to engage in, letting sponsors pull the strings while you perform. We all have a love-hate relationship with the companies who help fund our passion andprofession. I’m mostly glad to be out from under that pressure. Mostly.

“Anyway,” Bodhi continues. “We’ve got a big trip ahead. We’re going to Hawaii, and, yes, I’ll be surfing Jaws. We both will. And then we’re off to Nazare in Portugal to ride with some of the best. You can catch it all on ESPN and follow along on our YouTube channel for behind the scenes goofiness and a touch of reality.”

My sister beams up at Bodhi while he speaks, her eyes never leaving him. As hard as it has been watching her re-enter their relationship, and then re-enter pro surfing, the bigger piece of me swells with pride and happiness. She’s always going to be my baby sister. And that means I’ll always watch out for her.

After a rundown of their itinerary, Bodhi hands the mic over to Kalaine, or Kala, as I usually call her.

A warm smile fills Kalaine’s face. “Thank you all for being here. We’re so grateful for your support. It’s been good to be home between trips. Good to hang out with friends at C-Side, to surf the local break, to even give a few lessons. And to get back to being just me, you know? The girl who wakes up with wild hair, a dog in her bed, and no sense of direction until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.”

The patio fills with soft laughter. It’s a different flavor of response than the one Bodhi draws out with his charisma and strength. I feel my smile. It’s one that won’t easily recede. I’m tempted to shout, “That’s my sister!” But I savor the moment privately instead, watching her take life by the horns and grab up all she deserves and more. I wish my parents could be here to share this send off. They’re watching the live stream from their home in Hawaii, but it’s not the same.

“And it’s been sweet to get to spend time with Mila and Noah at Mila’s place. Just sitting at the desk answering calls and making reservations.”

Mila.

You know the feeling you get when you first tastehot cocoa, or bite into a warm pastry? That warmth and comfort? The flavors bursting on your tongue and drawing your attention to the sweetness of what’s right in front of you? That sensation when your feet go from sand into the cool froth of the sea? The instant you step outside on a foggy morning and the fresh air hits your lungs, reminding you you're truly alive? For just the briefest moment, I feel all of that at the mere sound of Mila’s name.

We’re old friends. Well, I’ve only been on the island less than four years, but she was one of the first people I met—one of the first to make me consider the fact that Marbella could be my home, not just in location, but in a much deeper sense of the word. Mila has always made me feel like we’ve known one another forever. She’s got this heart of hospitality that goes with her wherever she is, making everyone around her feel welcome and at ease.

My sister’s been talking and my mind unintentionally wandered. I rein in my focus on what she’s saying.

“... and don’t get me wrong. I love my life as a pro surfer. It’s like nothing else. My passion. My calling. Something I can’t seem to pull myself away from, even if I wanted to—which, I don’t. But I’m so glad to have Marbella as a place to call home, I can come here and just be me, not Kalaine Kapule, world-class surfer, but just Kala …” Kalaine’s eyes find mine in the crowd and she sends me a smile. “Sister to Kai. Or Mavs, as my fiancé calls me.” She looks up at Bodhi and he leans in and kisses her temple. “Just another girl living on this island with all of you.”

Someone claps. Ben shouts out, “We love you, Kalaine!” in his typical, very over-the-top way. His enthusiasm starts everyone clapping and hooting.

Kalaine blushes and grins, and then she hands the mic back to Bodhi.

He smiles at her and then at the crowd. “As you know, we’re raising funds for The Shaka Foundation, helping animals in crisis. So, feel free to dig deep and support the charity of our choice—the charity my future wife started a few months ago that has already helped over a thousand animals in need. You’re all awarehow much rescuing animals means to us. It’s a cause close to our hearts.”

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