Page 66 of Resorting to Romance

Our parents had been planning to play matchmaker along with Aima’s parents. Of course, they had. Aima and I grew up like cousins. Our moms have been best friends since childhood. They basically betrothed us in the womb. They deny it, but it can’t have been much later than that. They always joked about how sweet it will be when Aima and I finally fall for one another. It’s been a set up my whole life. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when, in their minds.

I like Aima. She’s kind and decent. But I don’t love her, not in the way a man loves a woman. We’re talking zero sparks. She’s literally my ohana—not by blood, but she might as well be a sister.

The expectation of our romance has been looming over me like a contract—one I evaded signing when I went pro and started surfing around the world. And then I moved to California. Visits home always hold the potential for an Aima ambush.

Kala smiles over her mug at me. “When you said you were dating someone? The way your face softened and your eyes got that dreamy tone to them? I don’t think Makuahine would have given up her plan to fix you two up unless she saw how you morphed into a man fully devoted to a woman when you talked about Mila.”

“Yeah,” I say, skirting past my sister to put away the milk carton she left out. “Good thing I have Mila.”

Kalaine wasn’t the only one cataloging the look on my mother’s face when I said I was dating someone—relief, joy, more relief, hope, and most of all, happiness for me. Ugh. I’m a horrible man. Then again, I’m not trying to go around fake dating people. I’d date seriously if the right woman would have me. And, from where I’m standing, there’s only one right woman. And she won’t have me—not for real.

I allow the cool air of the fridge to rush across my skin. Isthere an especially torturous place in the afterlife for guys who stand in the kitchen like it’s any other morning, flat-out lying to their sisters in the sweet hours of the early morning? I’m guessing, yes.

“You two are so adorable, Kai. I know Bodhi and I were extra about it. But seriously? You just fit. You’re two of the most sincere souls on earth. Both of you have such integrity and you’re both always looking out for others. You’ll take good care of each other. I really see this working out long term. And you’ve always lost your cool around her, I should have known. I did have my suspicions. Mila’s so smitten with you, too. It’s the sweetest.”

Mila is smitten?I doubt it. She’s just play-acting. That’s what we agreed to.

“What are you talking about? I haven’t ever lost my cool.”

“Um. Okay.”

“What? I haven’t.”

“Does tripping over the step when coming into the inn ring any bells? Stuttering over your words at times? Starting to say something and then acting all befuddled like you did in junior high? Do I need to go on?”

“I don’t …”Have I regularly lost my cool around Mila?

“Kai. It’s fine. I’ll drop it and let you keep your man card. I’m just saying I’m happy for you two. And obviously you have to ask Mila to come to the wedding with you. Makuahine will never back off her attempts to pair you with Aima unless you’ve got Mila basically attached to your hip. Our mom needs to see you dating someone else with her own eyes.”

“I know. You’re right.”

But what will it mean to bring Mila to my sister and Bodhi’s wedding?

And should I even ask that of her—to fake in front of so many people from Marbella?

Maybe we could stage a breakup before then—an amicable parting of ways.

And how would we manage that?

Is there any possible way to appear to end our romance and still maintain a friendship in front of all these gossipy islanders?

Besides, a breakup would leave Mila wide open for Brad to make a move. And the idea of him pursuing her disturbs me infinitely more now than it did the day I met him.

I’m so cooked.

NINETEEN

Mila

If you want a single mom to fall in love with you,

love her child well.

~ Patty H. Scott

“Did someone die, Schmidt?” Chloe asks my bookkeeper.

“It’s Johann.”

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