Page 27 of Big Island Weddings
10
Lani
Lani sat on the sea wall, watching Rory climb and leap over the black rocks.
Sunlight beat down on the back of her head and warmed her shoulders, but it didn’t seem to touch the chill that had settled into her bones.
Things were tense between her and Tenn. He had barely spoken to her since their argument about Lorenzo. He hadn’t kicked her out, but he had been working longer hours at the cafe than she had ever known him to do.
His mother had picked Olivia up from the co-op every day that week, brushing by Lani with a smug look that said she knew she was on her way out.
Tenn had hardly even looked at her in days.
It felt like he was just holding his breath, waiting for her to leave.
And that broke her heart.
She had picked Rory up that afternoon and driven her straight to the keiki beach, where Lorenzo was waiting for them.
Rory had greeted him with a running jump of a hug, as if he were a staple in her life rather than a man she had only met once, and Lani’s stomach had turned over as she settled in to watch them.
It was a good spot for it. Lani could give them their space without losing sight of them.
The keiki beach was a big lagoon that had been reinforced over the years by a wall of lava rock, protecting the small sandy beach from all but the biggest waves. It was low tide, and Rory’s laughter danced across the lagoon as she leapt from the lava rocks into the clear water.
Lani sat on the rock wall with her knees drawn up to her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her whole world felt unsteady, like the earth had started to shake and tremble just when she had finally gotten her feet on dry land.
Her uncle’s heart attack had left her doubly shaken. Mano had always seemed as steady and permanent as Mauna Kea, and now he was in a hospital bed connected to machines.
She pulled out her phone and texted Auntie Mahina.How is he?
He’s okay,Mahina replied.Resting. PCI in the morning, and he should be able to go home the day after that.
Can I bring dinner?Lani asked.Something light? Poke?
That would be great.
He’s not fasting, is he?
No, he can eat dinner. ‘Olena’s here too.
K, good. At the beach with Rory. We’ll bring dinner in a bit.
Mahalo,Mahina said.
Lani dropped her phone back into her bag and scanned the water, looking for Rory.
She spotted her at the far side of the lagoon, climbing the huge lava-rock wall that stood between the keiki beach and the surf.
Lorenzo was spotting her. He stood waist-deep in the water, holding his hands up just behind Rory’s back so that he could catch her if she fell.
She had to admit… he seemed lovely. Beneath all of her shock and worry, she felt grateful that Rory wouldn’t have to grow up with a huge black hole in her life. Tenn was a wonderful father, but eventually Rory would wonder about where she came from, all the relatives she had never met.
Lani blew out a breath and looked away.
It seemed like every other woman present was staring at the shirtless Italian. His voice rolled out across the water in a combination of Italian endearments and accented English as he encouraged Rory, and she caught one woman fanning herself as she stared openly at his tanned shoulders and muscular back.
Lani just rolled her eyes and dropped her forehead to her knees.
