Page 45 of Keeping Kama

“Leia,” said Derek. His voice tickled her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. “You look beautiful.”

Closing her eyes for a moment, Leia tried to remember the strength of his arms, the smell of his shampoo, the rustling of his stubble against her cheek. If this was the last night she spent with him, Leia cared to remember every little thing about him.

Finally, Leia broke their embrace, stumbling a step backward. While she regained her footing, Leia pinched the front of his Hawaiian shirt. “Let me guess, this is your new favorite shirt.” She let go of his shirt, glancing up at him to meet his gaze.

His hands glided down his abdomen, and Derek said, “I know you like this on me—so I wore it—again.” He shuffled his feet. His cheeks reddened with each passing second.Dang, he looked cute.

As Leia cupped his cheek, she said, “I’m only teasing you.”

Derek gulped. “Ok.” He scratched his jaw.

Her lips twitched into a smirk, and Leia said, “I think you look good— really good.”

A huge grin lit up his face. Derek wrapped his arms around Leia’s waist, tugging her closer again. He kissed her quickly on the lips. “I hope you like shrimp,” said Derek.

“I love it,” said Leia.

Unwrapping his arms from around her, Derek’s hand glided down the length of her arm until his fingers intertwined with hers. “Great, because I have it on good authority there is a fantastic restaurant in Ko Olina that makes the best shrimp and macadamia nut pie. Plus, I heard the view is unreal.”

For a second, Leia almost brought up her knowledge of Derek’s departure tomorrow, but she didn’t want to ruin the evening. Instead, she interlaced her fingers with his own. They walked hand in hand to Derek’s rental car parked in the driveway. Derek opened the passenger side door, holding it open for Leia. Leia slid into the seat.

For a second Derek paused and gripped the corner of the door. Slowly, he swallowed. Leia stared as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “I’m leaving tomorrow,” sputtered Derek. He met her gaze. “I should’ve told you earlier. If you don’t want to go out with me tonight, because I’m leaving, I totally understand.”

“I know,” said Leia. She broke eye contact, staring out the windshield. “Kai and Alana told me.” She paused, her heartbeat rapidly building. Shifting her gaze back toward Derek, Leia stated, “I don’t care. I mean I’m not happy you’re leaving, but I knew the end was inevitable. But I still want to spend tonight with you.”

Derek released his grip on the door, moving it back to the handle. “Then let’s make it a night to remember.” Then he closed the door.

They drove from the north shore down to Ko Olina, arriving as the sun slipped a little further. The sun’s rays stretched out across the water in a glittering dazzling white. Derek found a spot in the public parking lot next to the Ko Olina Marina. Once out of the car, they walked toward the path wedged between the beach and the resorts. A light breeze made the salty air dance around them as he took her hand. They walked the paved walkway weaving around the Ko Olina lagoons and resorts.

Back when Derek was a child, he had vacationed with his parents in Ko Olina. It was a memory tucked way back in his psyche, but as he came around the bend on the path and saw the resort where he had stayed at as a child, Derek halted in place. Leia nearly tripped at his abrupt stop.

Derek stared back at the resort as a wave of happy memories washed over him. He missed his parents and being a part of a family. His voice cracked as he pointed up toward a tall tower. “I stayed there as a kid.” Derek gulped. “I came here once for two weeks in the summer. I remember my classmates were jealous that I was spending some of my summer vacation in Hawaii. It was the only time my parents ever visited here.” Sweat lathered his brow. Derek swiped at it with the heel of his hand.

Leia linked her hands around the crook of his elbow. “What was your favorite part about the trip?” asked Leia.

“Um. Let me think for a minute.” Derek glanced out at the lagoon, giving way to the ocean. His mind flooded with the trapped-up memories of the past. He stepped forward, walking again. Leia kept her grip on his elbow, slowly sliding it down his arm until their fingers touched.

“We went on a snorkeling cruise out of the marina back there. The fish were beautiful, and I loved every minute of it. My mom hated snorkeling. She lasted a mere five minutes, because she didn’t like being out in the deep water. It scared her when she couldn’t touch the bottom. So, my mom went back to the boat, but my dad and I swam for as long as they let us.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Derek exhaled, making his shoulders droop. “Geez, I miss them.”

Giving his hand a squeeze, Leia said, “I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine how much.”

“Sometimes, it’s like I can’t breathe. Knowing that I don’t have one single person on this earth who’s attached to me— it’s incredibly lonely.” Derek gripped his chest, waiting for the thunder of his pulse ringing in his ears to dissipate. Exhaling, the tightness in between his shoulder blades loosened a tad as his breathing evened out. “And being around you and your family has made me remember the feeling of security and love that comes when you have people in your life who care about you. You are lucky, Leia. So very lucky.”

Gnawing on her bottom lip, Leia said, “I know how much I have and not everyone has that. I’m so thankful for my parents, Kai and Alana, and the magic we have together at Kama Farm.” Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she paused then added, “You don’t have to feel so alone anymore. You have me now. I care. I’ll be only a text or phone call away. I’d love for you to stay a part of my life.”

Derek wanted to scream it wouldn’t be enough, not with an ocean in between them. But instead, he leaned over and kissed Leia on the temple. “I appreciate that. I’m sure I’ll take you up on the offer. I’ll probably call and text you so much you’ll block my number.”

Leia laughed, whittling away at the tension inside of him. “I highly doubt that, because once you get back to your real life you won’t have time for me.”

Opening his mouth to reply, Derek was interrupted by a large group passing by them on the tight sidewalk. They sidestepped out of the way, letting the group walk past. Once the group was gone, they continued toward the restaurant. Derek stared at the water as he walked, remembering the day from so long ago. It was like his parents were there again with him, if only for the briefest second. He waited for the dull ache to enter his being, but instead he felt grateful for the memories he shared with his parents. Giving Leia’s hand a squeeze, Derek knew the difference was her, there with him.

After they arrived at the restaurant, they were led to a table overlooking the ocean. Settling into their chairs, they took their menus from the host. The host brought some bread and water, before leaving them to settle in.

As she scanned the menu, Leia asked, “So you’ve heard the shrimp is good here?” She took a sip of her water.

Laying his menu flat against the table in front of himself, Derek asked, “You haven’t eaten here before?”

“Never,” said Leia. Flipping her dark silky hair over her shoulder, the strands glistened from the last light of the sun. “I don’t come to Ko Olina much. It’s way on the other side of the island from the north shore and with the traffic it takes far too long.”

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