Page 12 of Keeping Kama

Heat splashed her cheeks, and Leia patted his hand and uncomfortably squirmed in her seat. Though Noa couldn’t communicate like he used to, Leia knew he caught the pulse of what was building between her and Derek.

Kai and Alana arrived, walking up the gravel walkway holding hands. Their children Malia and Hilo were squabbling with each other a few yards behind them.

Straightening herself, Leia crossed her arms. “Malia and Hilo, what are you fighting about now?” called out Leia.

Malia and Hilo guiltily paused in place. Then Hilo turned to Malia and announced, “I bet I can beat you inside.” And off he bolted, brushing past Malia.

Hilo made it to where Kai and Alana were before Malia caught up with him. Malia yanked him back, taking the lead. The children raced up the stairs and into the house without even saying hello. The door swung shut behind them.

Alana rolled her eyes.

Kai laughed. “As you can see, we are totally nailing this parenting thing,” he said to them as they climbed the front steps up to the lanai.

“I’m taking diligent notes for if I’m ever a parent,” said Leia teasingly.

“Enough you two,” said Alana, stopping in front of them on the lanai. “You don’t want to scare off Derek with our unruly children and your sibling rivalry.”

“Yes, of course,” said Kai, wrapping an arm around Alana’s shoulders. Kai turned his gaze to Derek. “Aloha, Derek.”

With a warm smile, Derek replied, “Aloha.”

Alana pointed. “I like the shirt.”

Glancing down at himself, Derek replied, “Thanks. I wasn’t sure what to wear.”

Leaning into Kai’s arm, Alana said, “We’re pretty casual around here, so anything would have been fine.” Then Alana bumped her hip against Kai’s. “And sorry about Kai making you wear our son’s t-shirt.” Rolling her eyes, Alana gave Kai a pointed look. “Sometimes Kai forgets we aren’t in high school anymore. He was the king of pranks then.”

Kai smirked, overly pleased with himself. “I sure was, and that’s why you fell in love with me.”

Alana whacked Kai on his arm. “Fat chance. I thought you were a total goof off.”

Wrapping an arm around Alana’s shoulder, Kai glanced down at her. “But eventually you came around.”

Elbowing Kai, Alana replied, “Because I thought you grew up.”

Leia leaned over her armrest toward Derek, an inch between them, Leia made sure their bodies didn’t touch. “Alana and Kai have known each other their whole lives,” said Leia, feeling like she needed to give Derek a bit of their back story.

Meeting her gaze, Derek whispered back, “I think they are cute together.”

Smiling, Leia said, “I do too.”

Kai moved closer to Noa, crouching down in front of him. “How long has Mom left you out here, Dad? Are you ready to go back inside?” asked Kai.

Dad nodded.

Kai stood again and held out both his hands to Noa. Noa took them and slowly rose to his shaky feet. Derek jumped up, holding open the screen door. Leia rose too to give any assistance if needed. Kai and Alana helped Dad through the front door. They slipped off their shoes by the door before they continued down the hallway leading to the kitchen.

When Leia and Derek started to follow behind them, Alana said over her shoulder, “You two stay out on the lanai. We’ve got this.” With her face full of amusement, her gaze flicked between them. “We’ll come get you when dinner is ready.”

Leia didn’t dare look in Derek’s direction. “Are you sure?” asked Leia.

Alana smirked. “Oh, I’m sure.” Her voice was laced with innuendo.

Gnawing at her lip, Leia replied, “Fine.”

They disappeared into the house. Leia and Derek stepped back onto the lanai. For a second, they paused, Derek gestured toward the chairs they had occupied. “Should we sit back down? You have an incredible view here. I could stay out here the entire day admiring it. And it seems like Alana wanted us to stay out,” said Derek.

“I think you might be right,” muttered Leia.

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