Page 38 of Aloha, Seattle

They whip their heads toward each other, squinting.

“Perhaps.”

“Perhaps.” They say at the same time.

“Wow,” I smirk. “It’s like you’ve finally reached that state in the relationship where the couple dresses alike and says the same cute things at the same time.”

Eve and Tommy notice they are both dressed in uniform and Eve shakes her head. “And now we need to get to work so I can get away from the madness that is this house.”

I finish my cup of coffee and pass her my mug to throw in the sink.

“And you’re sure you packed everything, Kit Kat?” Eve asks one more time before we walk toward the door. “Sunscreen? Extra undies? A few extra sundresses? Your bikini coverall? Your phone charger? A book?”

“Condoms,” Tommy cuts in and we both turn around to stare at him. “What? I wanted to be included and I guess I panicked.”

“I’ve packed everything, Ma.” I wrap my arm around her. “Are you forgetting I travel for a living?”

“One can never be too prepared to fall in love,” she nudges me with her hip, and I shake my head.

Tommy checks his watch and grimaces. “Well, if we’re carpooling, we got to go. I’m not about to be the reason my flights are running behind.”

“One time,” I shake my head, rubbing my eyes with my fingers. “I’m late one time and I never live it down.”

“Never.” Eve smiles.

After getting one too many hugs and parting ways with Ma and Pa, I make my way to the gate where we will be boarding our flight to Hawaii. As I approach, Sarah jumps up from her seat in the terminal and hugs me.

“Cate! You made it!”

“I’m really excited to be going. I haven’t been on a vacation in a long time,” I admit with a sheepish grin, pulling from her embrace.

“Wait,” she balks. “You mean you travel all over the world for a living and haven’t been on a vacation?”

“I know,” I rub the back of my neck, shifting from one foot to the other. “I guess I’ve been so busy with work…”

“Well now that you and Theo are dating, you won’t have to go on vacations alone if you don’t want to.” She offers with the kindest smile. “That is, if you can get him on a plane in the first place.”

“You look nervous.” I tell her before I think better of it.

Sarah seems stunned at first but then relaxes her face and agrees. “I am. Theo really doesn’t like flying. And Caleb wants him to be at our wedding. And I wanted to have it in Hawaii because all my family lives there but what if this wasn’t a good idea? Maybe I should have just had the wedding here in Seattle.”

I reach over and grab her hand. “Sarah.” Her eyes dart from her feet up to gaze. “I promise Theo will be on the plane and your wedding will be amazing.”

She exhales and I fear she is about to cry but she swallows her emotions back inside her tiny body. “Thank you, Cate.” She hugs me again and I don’t even try to pull away this time. “I am so glad Theo found you.”

Speaking of Theo. I haven’t seen him yet. My eyes scan the terminal, but he is nowhere in sight. Sarah lets me go and wipes the corners of her eyes.

“Oh, Lord.” She shakes her head, furrowing her brow. “If Caleb thinks he’s buying that many snacks, he’s got another thing coming.” She marches off toward the concession store and I see her trying to put some of the candy stash back on the shelves.

“Looking for someone?” Theo’s warm, deep voice sounds behind me and a smile flashes across my face. I compose myself before turning to face him.

He is wearing jeans and a long sleeve gray tee. I almost can’t wait to get to Hawaii just to see what’s hiding underneath.

“Maybe I am.” I shrug.

“Perhaps I can help you find him?” He smiles down at me, willing to play along. “What does he look like?”

I crinkle my nose and tap my chin with my index finger. “Hmmmm… I’d say he looks perfectly average.” A lie and he knows it.

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