Page 76 of Broken Hearts

Like she was born to surf.

Born to ride these waves with me.

Maybe she was.

Smiling, she grabs her board, tucking it under her arm as she walks over to where I wait at the shoreline. “I did it,” she whispers, her words barely audible, despite the obvious excitement on her face.

Smiling, I pull her close. “You did,” I whisper, my mouth against hers.

She kisses me, her arm curling around my neck as she holds me close and asks, “What did Tanner say? What is ohana?” She’s got a sly smile on her face, almost like she knows the answer but just wants to hear me say it because she knows what a big deal this is.

My eyes close, my forehead against hers as I suck in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I say, “Family.”

The next day,neither of us talk about what Tanner said, how he called me family. They didn’t have to accept me the way they have, but they do feel like family. And with it only being my mom and me, I never had the chance to enjoy having a big family.

I check my phone as I grab it off the nightstand, noticing another text from my dad’s lawyer, almost forgetting that he said he wants to meet with me. I knew coming here that it wouldn’t just be saying goodbye to my dad, but that I’d also be dealing with his estate. That’s something I know nothing about.

And when I open the text from the lawyer, I see my mom’s name sitting right below it. I click on her name looking at the text she sent me this morning, reminding me that I need to call her.

The crazy thing is, I should be scared of what she said, but I’m not. I should be scared to give up a life I built in New York, the place I’ve called home, but everything about staying here feels right.

“I gotta go meet up with a guy who asked me to design a custom board for him,” Nate says, jarring me from my thoughts. We’re still in bed, but it’s early. Even I now wake with the sun after being here for just a short time. I’ve learned it’s when the island is at its most beautiful: quiet and serene.

“Okay. When do you think you’ll be back?” I ask, knowing I should tell him about my dad’s lawyer reaching out to me.

But there’s nothing to really tell him. All I got was a text asking if I could meet with him. It could all be as simple as needing to sign some paperwork. There’s no way my dad had a will at his age, and with his passing being so unexpected.

I also know how hard this has been for Nate and sharing this with him will only cause him to stress about the situation. I can’t make any decisions until I meet with the lawyer and find out how I get rid of the guy who is trying to buy the land my dad’s shop sits on.

“I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be long,” he replies, smiling, and there’s something about his happiness that is contagious. “Maybe an hour or so.”

I think back to when I first met him and he was all grumpy and giving off this vibe that he hated me, and really everyone. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy.

“I have a surprise for you too,” he now says, and I tilt my head to the side, trying to read his expression.

“What are you up to?” I lean close to him, taking his face in my hands. I give him a quick kiss. Narrowing my eyes, I wait for him to answer.

“You’ll see. You know where the keys to your dad’s SUV are?” He winks, pressing a light kiss to the tip of my nose.

“I do.”

“Then wait for my text and meet me,” he says, and now I’m even more intrigued. “That’s all I’m saying. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“How are you getting there?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“What should I wear?” I’m hitting him with all the questions even though he’s being very secretive.

Nate rolls his eyes, letting out a chuckle. “What you have on.” He motions to me, slipping a finger under the tiny strap of the tank I was sleeping in. I’m only wearing it and my underwear, and I let out a laugh at his answer.

“No, seriously. I’m not going out in my underwear, you cheeky boy.”

“Just make sure you have a suit on,” he now says. “That’s all I’m saying. No more questions.”

“I guess I’ll see you in a bit then, huh?”

“I guess you will.”

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