Page 15 of Keeping Kama

After glaring at Derek sufficiently, Leia turned away and didn’t talk directly to him for the rest of the meal. Nobody seemed to notice her quiet demeanor, at least that was the way it appeared to Leia who was more than ready to show Derek the door.

Chapter4

The meal wrapped up. Derek pushed out his seat, standing. “Can I help with the dishes?” He carried his plate to the sink.

Everyone else at the table, minus Noa, stood too, bringing their plates and cups to the sink.

“I’d appreciate it,” replied Teresa. After placing her dish in the sink, Teresa pivoted toward them. “Kai and Alana need to get home to get their children into bed.” Walking back, Teresa rested a hand on Noa’s shoulder. “Then I can help Noa get ready for bed.” Holding out her hands, Noa took both.

Slowly, Noa rose. They left the kitchen.

Interlocking his fingers with Alana’s, Kai gave them a squeeze. Peering over at them, Kai said, “Goodnight, Leia and Derek. Thanks for doing the dishes.” Over his shoulder Kai said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Derek. Come on, kids.”

Malia and Hilo gave Leia a hug before disappearing with their parents.

With a nod, Derek replied, “Until tomorrow.”

Once everyone exited, the kitchen became eerily quiet, leaving him alone with Leia. Wasting no time, Derek flipped on the faucet. Gripping the sponge, he squeezed soap onto it.

Pushing off the counter, Leia came up beside him. Derek sensed Leia wasn’t happy about him joking about marrying her. It wasn’t like he was some love expert, but sometimes when Derek was nervous, he talked too much and forgot to use a filter. And Leia made him way more nervous than he’d ever been around any other woman. So, he rambled, stuck his foot in his mouth, and managed to act like a jerk. Well done. If he could go back, he’d redo the entire exchange. Maybe even make a comment about how the other men had gotten it wrong by not dating her. Something smooth and less Derek-like.

“I can help you load the dishes. I’ll dry the bigger stuff that doesn’t fit into the dishwasher.” She removed a dish towel from a drawer, placing it on the counter. “Sound good?”

Feeling jittery, Derek rinsed the dish in his hands way more than was necessary. “It works for me,” replied Derek. Turning, Leia leaned against the counter, facing him. Derek sensed she was studying him. With the dish done, Derek held it out to her. “Here you go.”

Taking it from him, Leia popped open the dishwasher door, pulling out the bottom rack. She placed the rinsed dish on the bottom rack then leaned back against the counter.

For a few minutes, Derek scrubbed the dishes then handed them to Leia. Leia loaded them without a word. Both worked in near silence. Derek longed to think of something to say to engage Leia in a conversation. But his mind couldn’t form a thought beyondLeia’s beautiful and you’ve already messed this up. From the open kitchen window, Derek could hear the ocean waves. He tried his best to focus on the rhythmic crashing of the waves and not the skittish beat of his heart.

Derek moved onto the bigger pots and pans, scrubbing the pot vigorously. Finally, when he could no longer take the pulsating silence, Derek said, “I’m sorry about earlier.” He flipped back on the faucet, rinsing the pot off. He held it out to Leia, and she took it for him with a towel in her hands.

Then, stopping mid-wipe, Leia asked, “What specifically are you sorry about?”

“I’m sorry I joked about marrying you for a recipe.” Derek moved onto a pan, scrubbing off the stuck-on food at the bottom. Once he figured it was clean enough, he rinsed the soapy water off the pan. “Sometimes, I say things without thinking. It’s one of my many flaws that I’m working on. I was totally out of line, and I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

Leia bit her bottom lip. “I see …” She finished drying the dish in her hand. Opening a cupboard near her feet, she placed the dish inside and shut the door.

Derek gulped, shutting off the faucet. Water dripped from the pan in his hands. He lightly tried to shake off the excess water. “I don’t need another reason for you to hate me.” He held the pan out to Leia.

Taking the pan from him, Leia methodically dried it. Sighing, Leia finally said, “I think you’re too late.” Opening the bottom cupboard, Leia placed the pan inside. “I was going to hate you no matter what. You’re potentially buying half my family’s farm. You were doomed to begin with, so I wouldn’t worry too much about your marrying me comment. I’m over it. I can see you are a bit of a jokester.”

His lips curled at the edges. Derek replied, “I can’t help it. Life is too short and too difficult to take anything too seriously.” Squeezing more soap onto his sponge, Derek reached for the rice pot and started to scrub.

Leaning against the counter, Leia crossed her arms and ankles. “So, mister jokester … since you started it, have you ever been married?” asked Leia.

Derek froze. The soapy water dripped down the sides of his hands. With the back of his hand, he swiped at an itch on his nose. “How did you leap to asking me if I’ve ever been married?” He raised an eyebrow, meeting Leia’s gaze.

Jutting up her chin, Leia replied, “I figured you haven’t, because if you had you wouldn’t be able to joke around about it. You’d be … tainted.”

“Ahh.” Derek flipped on the faucet, rinsing off his hands along with the soapy water on the pot. Once the water ran clear, Derek turned it off. “You’re spot on. I’ve never been married.” He tried his best to keep his voice even and undeterred.

Leia gave an almost indistinguishable nod. Derek handed her the dripping pot. Taking it from him, Leia quickly dried it and put it away. The dishes were done. Leia used the wet towel to wipe down the counters. Derek tried to make himself useful by scooting the chairs back in around the table.

With the kitchen clean, both leaned against the counter, their shoulders touched accidentally, and Leia shifted a few inches over. Derek wondered if Leia was waiting for him to leave. He listened to the ocean waves, feeling his heart tug within his chest.

Breaking the lull, Derek said, “I’ve come close a few times.”

A look of confusion fluttered across Leia’s face. “Come close to what?” Leia shifted, moving her hip against the counter instead of her back.

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