Page 74 of Shark Cove

“You look great.” Kylie hugged her again.

“I think I want a recording of my first-ever little sister compliment,” Malia laughed.

“I hope you’re hungry.” Peter helped Malia heft her suitcase into the back of the car. “I’m cooking tonight.”

“You’re at the house?” Malia asked. They’d limited phone contact due to high rates and made do with texts and e-mails while Malia was gone. She felt out of the loop with whatever was going on at the house.

“Your mom and I are in counseling, but we’re working it out and back together,” Peter said.

Malia let out a breath of relief as she and her sister got into the back seat.

“How’s Camille doing?” Harry asked.

“A lot better than if she’d stayed here. Aunt June kept us moving. Literally. They’re on a cruise now.” Malia turned to smile at her sister. “I brought you something.” She dug in her bag and pulled out a chocolate bar the size of a small baseball bat. “That ought to fix your sweet tooth for a while.”

“All right!” Kylie grabbed the bar and hefted it. “What’s this? A pound or so?”

“Yep.”

“Thanks,” Kylie said. She tore open the bar, broke off a piece, and handed it to Malia.

All through thepleasant family evening, at the back of her mind, getting stronger and stronger, was the need to call Blake. She’d e-mailed him the date she was getting home, and she had something to give him from Camille, plus a gift she’d picked up at a store in the Pyrenees.

Finally, alone in her room, Malia shut the door, sighed with relief, and checked her phone.

He’d called.Twice. But hadn’t left a message.

Malia flopped on the bed. Everything in her space seemed small and worn after the luxury hotels of the Williams’ accommodations in France, but all the sweeter for it.

She pressed Call Back and Blake picked up. “Malia?”

“Blake, hi.”

A long pause. She shut her eyes, put her hand over her heart, feeling its accelerated beat, and braced herself.

“I’m not over it,” he said.

Malia let her breath out in a whoosh. “Me neither.”

Malia had never beenout to this eastern side of the island, with its thick green jungle, tall fern trees, and lush landscape. The address wasn’t easy to find, nestled as it was far in the country along a windy road, but Blake had followed Mom’s car which led their way to the fenced compound with its retracted gate. Malia looked around the property with interest as Blake tried to find a spot to park amid a jumble of cars.

Lei’s daughter Rosie’s third birthday was apparently a big deal.

Off on the right of the compound, a small cottage surrounded by red ti plants was where Lei’s father and mother-in-law lived, according to what Lei had told Malia. Back behind the larger house that they approached, an adorable tiny house could be seen—and that was where Lei’s grandfather Soga resided. Scattered around the property were tropical trees: macadamia nuts, large round Hawaiian lemons, mangoes, Surinam cherries, avocados, and even lychee.

They found a place to park and joined her Mom, Dad, and Kylie, who were hanging back waiting for them.

Blake squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear as they walked toward her family. “You look great.”

“Thanks. And thanks for coming with me.” Malia smoothed the fabric of a silky bronze-colored blouse that she’d bought in Paris.

Peter clapped Blake on the back. “Glad you could give Malia a ride.”

“I wouldn’t miss it, sir.”

Mom laughed, and elbowed Dad. “Sir! Oh my!”

“He can keep calling me ‘sir.’ I’m fine with it,” Dad said with dignity.

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