Page 38 of Keeping Kama

First, she placed a green sheet down on each plate. Next, Leia scooped out some rice and placed it on top of each sheet. “Spam musubi is only seaweed, rice, and spam. But I promise it’s better than it sounds.” Taking a step to the stove, Leia used a spatula to place a piece of spam on top of each pile of rice.

“And what is spam exactly?” Derek scratched his head. “I feel embarrassed even asking.”

Wrapping the spam and rice with the remaining ends of the seaweed, Leia said, “It’s pork and ham processed together then canned.”

Derek replied, “I can’t wait to try it.” He tried his best to sound enthusiastic, but Derek didn’t like seaweed or the sound of spam. But he’d choke the stuff down if he needed.

As Leia laughed, she slapped him playfully on his arm. “You don’t sound very convincing. If you don’t like it, we can stop and get some shave ice after our hike.”

“Hike? Spill. Where are you taking me?” asked Derek.

Wagging a finger back and forth, Leia said, “Nice try. It’s a surprise. I’m not telling you until after dinner.”

Rubbing his hands together, Derek said, “Fine, dinner first.”

Their gaze caught and Leia smiled as she handed him the plates. Her head motioned to the small two-top table in a breakfast nook. “Can you take those to the table? I’ll fetch the silverware.”

“Sure.” Derek took the plates from her, walking the few steps to the table. After setting them down, Derek twisted back toward Leia. “Do you need me to get anything else for you?”

The drawer squeaked open, and Leia pulled out silverware for them. She held them out to Derek. “Here. Then I’ll get the drinks.”

Derek took the silverware from Leia and walked it to the table, placing it down beside each plate.

Peering into her fridge, Leia ducked around the open fridge door. “What can I offer you to drink? I have more of those fruit sodas you liked. Does kiwi, mango, or papaya soda sound good to you?” asked Leia.

“Um.” Derek paused in place. “How about mango.”

“Good choice.” Leia reached in and pulled out two mango sodas, bringing them to the table. “Are you ready to try some spam?” She set the sodas down on the table and settled into her seat.

Derek sat down across from her. “Are you kidding me? I was born ready.”

Gesturing toward his plate, Leia said, “Then dig in.” She picked up her fork. Derek did the same.

After getting a fork full, Derek said, “There are firsts for everything. It smells good. So, here goes nothing.” Shoving the bite into his mouth, he chewed. Leia hadn’t taken a bite yet and instead was studying him intently. The texture was not his favorite, but it wasn’t terrible. Derek swallowed. “Wow. It’s amazingly simple but so good.” He popped open his soda and took a swig.

A look of relief washed over Leia’s face, and she cut into her food with her fork. “I’m glad. I was nervous. I wasn’t sure how adventurous you were with trying new foods.” She took a bite of her rice and spam.

Another bite later, Derek asked, “So, where is this favorite place of yours?”

Leia bumped her shoulder against his own. “I can’t tell you. Where is the fun in that?” Her eyes twinkled back at him mischievously.

“I’m not a surprise kind of guy.” Derek rubbed his jaw then took another sip of his soda. “I like to know what’s coming, because then I can be prepared.”

Teasingly, she shoved Derek’s arm, Leia said, “Loosen up.” Taking another bite, Leia waited until she swallowed to continue. “I can tell you the place is on my parents’ property.” Pushing up her chin, she added, “Now you have one hint.”

Derek couldn’t resist her cute appeal. He leaned over and kissed her quickly on the temple. “I’ll try to go with the flow.” Derek winked. “But thanks for the hint.”

They finished up their meal. Derek helped wipe down the counters and load the dishwasher. Once the kitchen was clean, Leia said, “Let me go find my shoes and then we can head out.” Leia left the kitchen and disappeared into the back room, which Derek assumed was her bedroom.

Derek went back to the living room, sitting down on the sofa to wait. Glancing around, Derek admired the view of the ocean from her side window. It peeked through various plants and trees, but offered a beauty many would give anything to see. He wondered if he would ever want to live here, permanently. His work certainly kept him on the road a lot so moving his home base from California to Hawaii wouldn’t be too terribly inconvenient. Whoa, what was he even thinking? Moving here for Leia? They’d only just met. He shook off the entire ridiculous idea.

Luckily, a few seconds later, Leia appeared with running shoes on, and her hair tossed up into a messy knot on top of her head. With a hand on her hip, Leia asked, “Are you ready to go to the most beautiful place in the world?”

As he stood, Derek replied, “Absolutely.” He strode next to her, taking the liberty to wrap his arm around her waist. “I don’t know what will be more beautiful, you or the location.” He squeezed her waist.

Her cheeks tinged pink. Dang, Derek loved making her blush.

“Umm … stop.” Leia laughed. “That’s a tad too cheese ball for me.”

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