Kai pulls into the gravel driveway, his tires tossing some pebbles as he comes to a stop, and I make my way down to meet him.
Climbing in, I lean over and give him a quick kiss. Nothing more than a hello, simple and sweet, but it has my heart beating a little faster. That start-of-a-relationship excitement brewing.
“You look gorgeous,” Kai compliments, running a finger under the thin strap of my sundress. “Ready to see my parents?”
I expect him to be nervous, scared even, but he’s not. Not even a shred of it shows on his face as he rests his hand on my thigh, backing down the long driveway.
While I’ve already met them, things have changed between us since he took me over to see Olsen Boards. We’re in a relationship, not just a friendship. Plus, back then, I really thought it would be over by now, especially with Kai’s reputation.
But here we are, trying something new for both of us.
“Are you ready?” I shoot back, narrowing my eyes. “This is a big deal for you.”
“I’m ready. And anyway, you’ve already met them. They were chill then too. You should be the one questioning it. They’re pretty…” He stops, his thoughts wandering a little, and then he mutters, “Aww, fuck.”
“What?”
“You’re right. They’re going to be really nice to you, but to me, they’re going to give me so much shit. Didn’t even think about it until just now.”
“We can handle it.” Winking at him, he gives my thigh a squeeze. “And besides, I want to hear all about you from your family. Get to know you through them. You might be honest, but they’re going to be brutally honest.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
We pull up out front of a quaint, open-air restaurant that seems to be busy, but as we climb out of the car, Kai tells me not to worry about it.
“We have a standing table. My family comes here every Sunday for breakfast, usually after we’ve surfed. Never brought someone with me, but Daisy will be here with Miles and my parents.”
He links his hand with mine, leading me up to the front, and he begins to weave through the crowded tables, the conversations buzzing.
The waitstaff hit Kai with some hellos and alohas, quick hugs or fist bumps, even a few of the hang loose sign that I see him do so often.
And then he stops in front of a table that is situated in the corner with views of the ocean from both sides. I see Miles and Daisy sitting there, along with Kai’s mom and dad, everyone smiling.
“Aloha,” Kai says, all eyes on us, and I swallow, my nervousness finally hitting me. “You guys remember Quinn, my…” He pauses, looking over at me for help, but all I do is smile.
I don’t care if he calls me his friend, his girlfriend, whatever, as long as he’s comfortable with it. This is new to him, and while I’m fresh out of a fucked up relationship, I feel more comfortable with Kai than I ever did with Sean.
“My girlfriend. Yeah, I said girlfriend. Let’s not go getting all weird about it, okay?” He specifically looks at Miles and Daisy, glaring at them with an intensity that only siblings could. It’s a warning that by no means will be taken seriously.
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Quinn,” says Kai’s mom. She has the same soft and comforting eyes as Kai, and there’s a familiarity to her, like I’ve known her much longer. I feel my own mother in her, and there’s something so pure and welcoming about it.
She motions to the man sitting next to her with the deep tan and tousled brown hair to also greet me, and he does with a smile and friendly aloha.
All of them together, and I take them in, able to fully appreciate the closeness of this family and the love they have for each other. When I met them all earlier, it was quick, and I was unsure what to expect, but now it feels casual and friendly, almost like being with family.
Miles and Kai couldn’t look more like their dad. Matching smiles, and perfectly sloped noses, dark eyes, and those same calloused hands from all the surfboards they’ve made.
Luna is stunning, exactly what you’d expect someone to look like who has grown up on this island. Long dark hair, sun-kissed skin, and eyes just like Kai’s, in a rich brown with long, thick lashes.
No shocker that these two people made some strikingly gorgeous children.
“Kai talks about you all the time, which is…,” his dad says as we sit down, but he trails off when Luna hits him with a telling glare. “How are you enjoying the island?” he now asks, quickly changing the subject.
“Oh, I love it here. It’s so beautiful, and everyone has been so nice. And it’s really great to see all of you again.”
I look around the table, and Miles lets out a laugh, with Daisy smacking him softly on the arm and his mom giving him a look that only a mother could master.
“What?” he says, playing dumb. “So tell me, Quinn, did you know Kai was gonna drop that girlfriend bomb, or were you just as surprised as us?”
