Page 78 of Big Island Summer
As messy as it was, it feltright.
Theodore grumbled, pulling her back into the present moment.
“Hungry?” she asked.
“Bababababa,” he said seriously.
“Got it,” she confirmed with a grin.
She wasn’t sure if he was actually asking for a bottle or if that was just baby babble, but he must be hungry. He was overdue for a fresh diaper, too.
“Come on, Theo,” she said as she stood. “I’ve got you.”
23
Emma
When Lani’s name popped up on Emma’s phone, she answered the call with a question.
“Do you know my least favorite thing about living in Hawai‘i?”
“The roosters crowing at four in the morning?” Lani guessed.
“Nope.”
“The coqui frogs?”
“No. I kind of love them. Is that weird?”
“Nah, I love those little buggas too.”
“I think I’d have a hard time sleeping without them at this point. It’s like white noise.”
“So? What’s your biggest problem with life in paradise?”
“It isimpossibleto keep the house clean. Between the mold and the gecko poop and the roaches, I’m about losing my mind. Is it just me?”
Lani laughed. “Why you think we always eating outside?”
“Whatever, island girl. Your kitchen is always immaculate.”
“I clean when I’m stressed, and Tenn is used to restaurant kitchens.”
“Tell me your secrets.”
“We clean. Everything. Constantly.”
“That’s a lame secret.”
Lani laughed again.
“There was a hen in my kitchen this morning, Leilani. A chicken. On my counter.”
She was in full-on hysterics at that point.
“Kai keeps leaving the kitchen door open. My life is a disaster.”
“It’s a beautiful mess, is what it is.”
