Page 20 of The Moment of Letting Go

“I’m going to show you,” he says.

“You’re going to show me what? How to surf?”

His smile broadens, enhancing the light in his hazel eyes. He starts to speak, but then it seems that just before the answer leaves his lips, he stops. He thinks on it some more, maybe choosing his words carefully? I can never know, but that’s what it feels like. I just watch and wait patiently, the light in my own eyes never dimming, the smile on my lips never waning.

But his wanes. Just a little.

“What three hours in a place like Hawaii is supposed to be like,” he finally answers.

I think it was far from the answer he had wanted to give.

“I trust you’re a good guide,” I say, grinning. “You should be, being a local and all.”

“Oh, I’m not a local,” he says.

“Really? I assumed you were.”

“Nope.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “I’ve only lived in Hawaii for a year and a half.”

“Where did you move from?”

“Sacramento,” he answers and then holds out his hand, giving his head a quick jerk backward. “Come on, we can talk on the way. Three hours isn’t much time.”

I look down at his hand, wanting to take it, but at the same time feeling that it’s too soon. But maybe it isn’t, because everything inside of me wants to take it and to throw the too-soon rules right out the damn window.

I reach into my bag instead.

“Wait a second,” I say as I retrieve my cell phone again. “Let’s take a picture first.”

Luke looks vaguely surprised.

“All right,” he agrees. “Selfies are doable, but none of that duck-lips stuff.”

I laugh lightly as he steps up beside me and drapes an arm around me from behind.

I snap the shot of us together, step to the side, and type Paige a text message that reads: Change of plans. I booked a later flight out. His name is Luke Everett. He works at the surf school. If anything happens to me, he’s the one to look for.

I hit send. She’ll probably be bummed we won’t be on the same flight home, but she’s always telling me I need to live a little, so I’m sure she’ll be happy for me too.

Standing behind me, Luke’s light laughter fills the air.

“Worried I’m going to kidnap you and tie you to a chair in a room with beads and incense?”

“Not really,” I say, smiling over at him, “but just in case—are you offended?”

He laughs. “Not at all. Kind of impressed, actually.”

Paige responds saying she’s worried that I’ve lost my mind, but she hopes I’ll have fun, and that she’ll make sure to tell the cops if she has to. Then I drop the phone back inside my bag.

Moments later I hear Paige’s voice calling out over the sound of waves pushing against the beach.

“Sienna!” She’s running toward us, quite ungracefully through the sand, her flip-flops getting stuck and nearly causing her to trip. Luke looks at me. “Your assistant?”

I nod. “Yeah, and my best friend. Prepare yourself—she bites.” He laughs under his breath.

Then he stands taller, interlocking his hands on his backside, puffing out his chest a little and raising his chin. He looks like he’s preparing to meet my dad, and it’s adorable. Completely fake, but adorable—the smile gives him away.

Paige stops in front of us and, while catching her breath, she eyes me as if to say, Daaaaamn, Sienna.

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