Page 29 of Keeping Kama

Both stared back at one another. With each passing second, her pulse picked up its pace. Tension grew, practically palpable in the air they breathed. Leia wondered what kissing Derek would feel like, and if he had ever thought about kissing her.

Almost on cue, Derek reached into his pocket, pulling out his Chapstick. Slowly, he applied a coat to his lips before shoving it back into his pocket. Leia forced herself to look away, to squelch her earnest desire to hook his collar and tug him across the table toward her.

Derek broke the silence and asked, “Did you run today?”

The question caught her off guard. “No. I was surfing with you, remember?” She cocked an eyebrow.

Smacking his forehead with the heel of his hand, “Duh? I can’t believe that was this morning. It feels like I’ve already lived three lives since arriving here.” Derek took another sip of his soda. “How far do you usually go?” Setting his soda back down, he rested his hand a mere inch from hers.

Leia’s skin itched to be touched. His fingers so near hers without skimming hers drove her batty. “Usually, I only run seven to ten miles.” She took another casual sip of her soda, eyes locked with Derek. “I go longer on the weekend.”

Derek whistled. Leia laughed then shoved her hair over her shoulder. “Never,” Derek wagged a finger, “use ‘only’ when you say you ran seven to ten miles. Geez. I’m impressed.” He grinned, further unwinding the nerves in her stomach, relaxing her.

With her arms outstretched wide, Leia enthusiastically said, “I know, I’m amazing.” Then Leia rolled her eyes.

Aria arrived beside the table with a plate in each of her hands. Placing a kalua pork plate in front of each of them, Aria reached into her pocket and pulled out some disposable bamboo utensils in paper sleeves. “Here you go.” Aria gave Leia’s shoulder a squeeze. “I hope you enjoy the food.” She directed her glance to Derek. “Please come back anytime.”

“Thank you.” Derek peered down at the plate of food then over at Aria. “This looks and smells delicious.” He smiled warmly back at Aria.

“Thanks, Aria,” added Leia.

Taking a step away, Aria said, “Stop by and say goodbye before you leave.” She turned, walking around to the trailer door.

Both removed their utensils from the paper sleeves, Derek picked up his fork. “Now, tell me what is on my plate.” His fork hovered over his food.

Leaning way over the table, Leia pointed out the different items on his plate, the poi, pork, macaroni salad, rice, and salmon poke. Once done explaining to Derek about the different items, Leia straightened herself and speared a piece of the pork. “Go ahead and try something.” She shoved a bite of the pork into her mouth.

“Here goes nothing.” Derek dug into the pork, taking a bite. After chewing and swallowing, he said, “Delicious.” Next, he pierced some macaroni salad and popped a bite into his mouth.

They continued to eat. Derek gave the proper compliments. Leia wanted to find some fatal flaw that would dampen her attraction to him, but she came up short. As the meal finished, Leia found herself wondering when she’d see Derek again.

With a licked clean plate, Derek patted his stomach. “This was delicious. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Leia fiddled with her hair. “The people you really need to thank are Aria and Kalon.”

“Absolutely, you’re completely right,” replied Derek.

Cupping her ear, Leia teased, “Can you repeat that a little louder?”

Derek’s eyes twinkled around the edges. “I’ll be right back.” He swung his legs over the picnic bench. “Give me a second.” Derek walked to the trailer side door.

While Derek went to go talk to them, Leia rose too and gathered up the trash and threw it into the nearby bin. Then she joined Derek by the trailer. Kalon was at the long metal counter scooping out macaroni salad onto a plate. Aria was busy speaking to a customer through the service window. Kale was nowhere to be seen. Once they finished with their tasks, Derek gave them the proper thanks.

Aria said, “My pleasure. Come by anytime. We hope to see you again, Derek.” Finding Leia’s glance, Aria added, “Make sure you say goodbye to Kale.” She pointed out the service window. “He’s wiping the picnic tables down.”

“We will,” Leia tugged Derek away from the door. “Thanks again,” said Leia, leading Derek a few feet away. Whispering, Leia said, “We need to make a run for it, or we are never getting out of here.”

“I don’t mind.” Derek reached out and ran a single finger down her forearm. “I don’t have anywhere else I need to be.”

With his finger on her arm, Leia reminded herself to breathe. Never had a man’s touch made her feel so completely out of control. Flustered, Leia forced herself to focus on finding Kale. Pinching his shirt sleeve, Leia tugged him toward the picnic tables in front. “Come on. Let’s find Kale.”

They walked to the front of the food truck where the picnic tables were set out on a grassy area facing the road and ocean.

Her gaze landed on Kale as he wiped down a table, Leia pointed and said, “He’s over there.” Without thinking, Leia clasped Derek’s hand. He quickly interlocked his fingers with hers before she had time to realize her error.

As they approached, Kale stopped mid swipe. Clocking their hand holding, Kale smirked and folded the rag in his hands. “Are you two lovebirds out of here?” Kale shuffled around the picnic table to the opposite bench and wiped it down.

Sweat trickled down her back. Kale would no doubt run back to his parents and report seeing them holding hands. Suddenly, she felt like a teenager all over again. The phone would be buzzing and by the time Leia arrived home tonight everyone in her family would know.

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