Page 59 of Resorting to Romance

“Well, I’m going with Hot Dog.” I wink over at her.

Then I open the door to Sebastian’s so Mila can pass through.

And when her vanilla and cinnamon scent swirls up around me, I nearly confess, Mila Rose Mitchell,I think you might be the death of me.

I barely see Mila the whole next week. We’ve had snorkeling tours, surf lessons, kayak rentals, and a few night rides on the glass-bottom boat along the shoreline to keep us busy. I’m assuming Brad has left Mila alone since his call announcing his plans to buy an entire cove of the island.

Who does that?

Brad. That’s who.

Saturday I’m at the shack early, waiting for my next surf lesson with Noah. My sister and Bodhi are due back in town this evening after an international flight from Portugal and the ferry ride back to Marbella. Their two-week trip is coming to a close. I’m happier than I’ll let on to have them back. I haven’t minded the time alone, but I like my house better when they’re in it. And it’s been an unusual two weeks. Maybe them being back will help bring things back to some semblance of normalcy.

Shaka’s trailing behind me from spot to spot in the shop as I straighten merchandise. Ben’s singing, “Me and My Shadow,” and chuckling at my misfortune. This dog. I turn and look at him. He sticks his tongue out and pants at me from his seated position just behind where I’m standing.

“What?” I ask the mutt.

“Just love me!” Ben says in a cartoon-dog voice.

“Are you on the clock, or just hanging out here?”

“Both?” Ben laughs.

“Do something besides turning my morning into a live-action Disney movie.”

“Awww, but he loves you so much. Just pet him and I’ll stop. I’ll even tag the new merch. Just pet Shaka.” Ben starts chanting, “Pet him! Pet him! Pet him!” with his hands cupped around his mouth.

Jamison walks in with a rightfully confused expression on his face.

“Pet him? What exactly is going on in here? Or should I ask?”

“Nothing.” Ben smiles over at Jamison. “I’m just trying to get Kai to give Shaka some love.”

“Ahhh.” Jamison looks at me. “Are you allergic?”

“I wish,” I grumble.

I’m not a grumpy man. Serious? Yes. Sometimes I’m up in my head a bit more than the guys around me. To be fair, I’m surrounded by surfers. It’s a chill community and we tend to be an easygoing culture. I tend to be the leader, and I watch out foreveryone. That makes me less free flowing than guys like Bodhi and Jamison. And then … Ben … Ben is on the other end of the spectrum from me. Nothing gets that guy down. He’s like a living, breathing one-man party bus.

Jamison shakes his head and walks to the back of the shack toward the back door. He’s got a stand-up paddleboard lesson at the same time as I’m taking Noah out surfing.

Ben crosses his arms over his chest as if he’s not budging until I pet the dog. So, I bend down and scratch Shaka behind his ears.

“Good boy,” I say in a neutral tone.

The tail starts going anyway, even though I obviously wasn’t putting any emotion behind my words.

“There. Was that so hard?” Ben asks.

“Honestly? Yes.”

Ben chuckles.

Mila and Noah come bounding into the shack. Well, Mila doesn’t bound. She’s walking in with her beach bag over her shoulder and a soft smile on her face, and when she aims that smile at me, I go a little weak. It’s ridiculous. I’m a man. And we’re faking. But she’s Mila. What can I say?

“We’re here!” Noah shouts as if his entrance weren’t already an event.

“Heyyyy! Look who’s here!” Ben shouts.

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