Page 20 of Try Easy

“I can’t wait to see somethin’, then.” She grinned, and Keoni realized she was imitating his accent.

“What’s it like in Seattle?” he asked.

“Rainy,” she said. “We hardly ever see the sun.”

“I couldn’t live li’dat.”

Lou glanced over Keoni’s shoulder to the car where Bones and Penny were chatting with their heads together in the front seat. They looked to be hitting it off nicely. Bones was probably already planning on giving Penny the deluxe tour of Hawaii that ended at his apartment in his bed.

Bones didn’t discriminate against tourists the way Keoni did. The legendary Beach Boys of Waikiki had gone out of style years ago, but Bones did his best to make sure tourists got an authentic experience. Especially the pretty ones like Lou and Penny.

“I think they are planning out the tour,” Keoni said, noticing the way Lou watched Penny protectively.

“Yeah. Looks like it.”

“Anywhere in particular you want to go?”

Lou smiled, making the dimple in her cheek wink. “Everywhere.”

Keoni laughed. “How long are you staying?”

“Twelve days.”

He shook his head, his eyes lingering on her wide mouth. “That’s not nearly enough,” he said.

Lou’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes flew to Keoni’s. He realized he was flirting with her, and he stiffened and pulled away. He hadn’t meant for it to come out that way, like a come-on.

That wasn’t Keoni’s style. He didn’t flirt with tourists.

He turned away from her and headed back to the car.

“Heh,” he said, leaning in the window of the driver’s seat. “I just remembered Kimo is coming by today. I better get home.”

“Kimo’s coming home?” Bones asked.

“That’s what I said.”

“That’s perfect!” Bones said. “We were just deciding where to go first, and your parents’ place is perfect. Everyone will be there, and Auntie Palu probably has malasadas in the oven.” He turned to Penny. “You evah had a malasada?” he asked.

“Nope.”

“Let’s go,” Bones said.

“Can I holler at you a minute?” Keoni asked, opening the car door.

“Awrite.” Bones climbed out and they walked off a few feet from the car. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing.” Keoni took a deep breath and then looked at Lou. She was leaning into the car talking to Penny. She glanced up and caught his eye, then looked away quickly. “I said I would go to the airport, but I ain’t gonna spend all day showing around some tourists.”

“Why not?”

Keoni sighed. “I got better things to do.”

“You got better things to do than hang around two girls who look li’dat?” Bones asked, raising his eyebrow at Keoni.

“I gotta work tonight.”

“Not until midnight. It’s 4:30.”

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