Page 25 of Keeping Kama

Leia’s mouth opened, but then she closed it. She dug into her pancakes and took a bite. Once done chewing, Leia waved a dismissive hand. “Enough about love.” She did a head tilt toward his empty plate. “I can see you enjoyed your pancakes.”

Lazily, Derek stretched. “They were delicious, and now I could use a good nap.” He laughed, wishing he hadn’t demolished an entire platter of food without stopping.

Leia slid out of her seat. “We should go.” Pulling out her phone from her pocket, Leia checked the time. “I know you’re meeting with Kai in an hour.” Slipping the phone back into her pocket, Leia gathered up her trash and tossed it into a nearby bin.

“Correct.” Stumbling to his feet, Derek gathered up his trash. “I don’t want to be late.”

After their table was cleared of everything, Derek headed for the door, holding it open for Leia. Leia passed through, heading toward the truck. They walked in silence across the parking lot. Derek wondered when he’d see Leia again. He hoped it would be later that day. His pocket vibrated again, making his shoulders tighten. Reality hit him, Derek was only in Hawaii for a short time and here on business. Who was he kidding? There was zero point in getting wrapped up in Leia.

They climbed into the truck on their respective sides. After double checking his phone, confirming it was another text from Tyson, Derek put it back into his pocket without responding. Tyson could wait.

Leia started the truck, pulling out of the parking lot. Hawaiian music played, but Derek didn’t hear any sound, only the thundering of his pulse in his temples. Over and over, Derek tried to remind himself Leia lived here, he lived in Los Angeles, and there was an entire ocean in between them. He needed today to be the last time he saw Leia socially.

But even after his practical self-talk, Derek broke the silence and asked, “Am I going to see you again this afternoon?”

Leia turned down the music, so it was barely audible. “Could you say that again?” She double checked her rearview mirror before glancing over her shoulder, merging into the other lane. “I couldn’t hear you.”

Derek cleared his throat. “Will I see you this afternoon?” he boldly asked.

Leia shot him a fast sideways glance. “I don’t think I need to be there when you meet with Kai again.” Her knuckles turned a tad white from gripping the steering wheel. “I’m going to spend the rest of the morning getting the receipts from the store in order to email to you and Tyson.”

“Oh.” Derek slumped down in his seat. “I see.” He stared out his passenger side window. Maybe the morning had been all in his head?

“But …” Leia’s cheeks slowly reddened. After a long pause, Leia said, “Why? I could see you later tonight, if you needed me. I don’t have anything planned.”

Straightening himself, Derek blurted out, “Do you want to go with me tonight to that food truck your aunt and uncle own? The one with the kalua pork.” He clasped and unclasped his hands.

“Kai might offer to take you there for lunch,” said Leia.

With his pulse in his throat, Derek emphasized, “I don’t want to go with Kai. I want to go withyou.”

Nibbling on her bottom lip, Leia questioned, “Why?”

“I thought that was pretty obvious.” Puffing up his chest, Derek continued, “You’re way better to look at than Kai.”

Leia laughed. “Am I?” Pulling off the highway, Leia slowed their speed.

“Yep,” replied Derek. “So, Leia, are you free for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t know …” Her voice faded away. Leia shook her head. “Isn’t it bad to mix business and pleasure? Sounds like it could get messy.”

“I like messy,” said Derek.

“You live in Los Angeles. I live in Hawaii,” said Leia like that was the end of it.

“I know, but it’s only dinner.” Derek held up a single finger. “One dinner to be exact … at a food truck. That’s something you can do with people you barely like.”

A chuckle escaped her. Leia said, “Fine, one food truck dinner. Derek, I don’t need …” Her voice trailed off, and Leia didn’t finish her thought as she put the truck into park in her parents’ driveway.

He unbuckled his seatbelt and said, “I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

Some unruly hair fell into her eyes, and Leia pushed it behind her ear. With a nod, she answered, “I guess so.”

Chapter7

“Come in!” bellowed Leia from her bedroom. “I’m back here.”

Leia heard the screen door creak open then slam shut. Teresa’s footsteps squeaked on the wood floors down the hallway to Leia’s bedroom. Standing in front of her closet mirror, Leia tilted her head to the side, scrutinizing her appearance. She wondered if her linen shorts and black top looked okay.

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