Page 54 of Keeping Kama

A big exhale made Leia slouch. “Unfortunately, he might be part of it, but even if he wasn’t part of the equation,” she wagged a finger between them, “we will never be.”

“Teresa says he isn’t coming back. The California guy,” countered Bane.

Leia wanted to argue with him, but she had no snappy response. “I hope there is a way for us to be together.” Speaking the words out loud, to another person, made them even more real. Tilting her head toward him, Leia said, “I’m holding out for it. Idiotic, probably, but I’ve got to at least try. Especially, now that I’m over being mad at him.”

“Why were you mad at him? Was it because he left you?” asked Bane.

Waving him off, Leia replied, “That’s part of it, but there was more to it than that.”

Leia wasn’t about to reveal the entire reason Derek came to Hawaii in the first place.

“Then I hope you figure it out. I hope you can have a happy life,” said Bane.

“I do have a happy life,” replied Leia.

Tipping his head closer, Bane replied, “I know, but one where you can share it with someone, because I hope to find that too.”

Then they both shifted away from each other, staring out at the glistening moon reflecting a big circle on the ocean waves. Leia wished Derek was there sharing this moment with her, and not Bane.

Chapter17

Derek pulled his borrowed coat tight against his body, crossing his arms. He tried not to shiver as Steven cranked up the heat in his luxury sedan. Yesterday, Derek had met with Steven and the rest of his employees in the office in downtown Boston. But today, he was headed with Steven out to the cranberry bog on Cape Cod.

Rubbing his hands together, Derek attempted to get some feeling back into his fingertips. “How often do you visit the cranberry bog to check in with the employees there?”

After their car pulled out of the parking garage, Steven turned onto the street. “I try to visit twice a month. During the harvest season, I stay up there in my cottage on the weekends.”

“I see,” replied Derek. After reviewing the business records, Derek believed they simply needed investment money to upgrade their equipment to maintain efficiency. Equipment was expensive, but Derek believed they could come up with a deal that would ensure the business received the equipment they needed while giving Derek and Tyson a nice return on their investment. “I’ll hold my feedback until after I take a tour of the cranberry bog acreage.”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say.” Steven entered the interstate. “When I took over as CEO, I made a lot of changes too. But it wasn’t enough. The family who owns the business has very particular opinions on how things are done.” This wasn’t news to Derek. He had done his research. From the articles he read online, Steven was named CEO three years ago, though he wasn’t related to the people who owned the cranberry bog. Steven shrugged, gripping the steering wheel with both hands. “But maybe they’ll listen to you.”

Staring out the windshield, Derek remarked on how the Boston interstate could challenge any freeway in Los Angeles. “I think they won’t have a choice. If they don’t upgrade their equipment, they’ll only continue to waste time and money on the inefficiency.” Steven swerved across three lanes of traffic without pausing. Derek gripped the handle above his door. “Are you trying to get us killed?” Turning wide-eyed to face Steven, his heartbeat rapidly increased.

Steven chuckled and replied, “Is this the first time you’ve driven anywhere in Boston?”

“I’ve been here before, but I’ve always stuck to public transportation. This is something else,” said Derek.

“I promise, this is how everyone drives.” Steven honked loudly at a car who cut him off. “You’re getting the real Boston experience, but I’ll make sure we get there and back safely,” said Steven.

Steven then changed lanes, holding down his horn again. Derek flinched from the sound and prayed he made it to the Cape in one piece. His phone vibrated in his pocket, temporarily distracting him from his fear of crashing on the interstate. Pulling it out of his pocket, a message from Leia flashed across his screen.

Any interest in running the Honolulu marathon with me? You still have time to train.

A smile slowly grew across his face. Derek shifted in his seat. Scratching his head, he wondered if he really had the ability to get himself in shape in the limited time he had before the marathon. Either way, he didn’t care. He’d walk the thing if it meant Leia was inviting him to visit. Swiftly, his fingers moved across his phone.

One hundred percent. I’ll be there.

I’ll send you a running schedule. You only have eight weeks, which isn’t ideal, but I still think you can do it.

You underestimate my natural athleticism. I’m up to running ten miles. I know I can do it.

Just like your surfing.

I would smugly challenge you, but I know you’re a way better runner than me.

Say that again … for those in the back.

LEIA IS A BETTER RUNNER THAN ME.

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