Page 65 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

“Kate.” I gripped her shoulder, forcing her to look at me. “I’ll explain everything tomorrow, but someone special is waiting for you outside. Go. Right now. Hurry.” I lightly shoved her to get her going.

She knew I was talking about Lee. As she looked over her shoulder at me, she quickened her step, her smile grew wider, and her eyes sparkled as bright as the ocean gleaming under the sunlight.

I turned back to Ian. I was going to ask if he wanted to join Tyler and me for dinner, but I stopped when his eyebrows furrowed. Something between us felt off.

“Abby.” He sounded uncertain. “I didn’t know you were … I thought …”

“We should get going. Looks like Lee’s girl is here,” a female voice said from the kitchen. A gorgeous brunette strutted into the family room. When her eyes met mine, she beamed a smile.

Ian glanced between us. A heavy tension seeped in the air, and he went rigid. “Abby, this is Jackie.”

“I’m Kate’s sister.” I shook her hand.

“Oh …” She smiled again, beautiful and bright. “I see the resemblance. Will you be staying? Because Ian and I are leaving.” Her voice was pleasant enough, but …

Wench. Walk the plank.

Hurt flickered inside me, and I tried to stuff it down. Ian and I were friends, and he could date whomever he wanted, as I’d told myself when the horseback riding guide had been flirting with him. But he’d hidden his dating life well, whether intentionally or not.

Ian frowned, but he didn’t say anything. What could he say? She had merely asked a question and stated a fact.

“I’m not staying,” I said. “My part was to drop off my sister. Well, have a good time.” I didn’t bother to look at Ian or say goodbye to him. There was no need.

A hand grabbed my shoulder. “Abby, wait. I’ll walk you out.”

I turned to Ian. “That’s okay. I have somewhere to be, and you need to get going.”

Ian ignored my request and walked me to the door. “You look very nice. Where are you going?”

“You have your date, and I have mine. Have a good evening, Ian.”

Before he could say another word, I shut the door behind me.

I shook my head, chastising myself for acting like a scorned woman, as if he’d done something wrong. Where was this jealousy coming from? I didn’t like it one bit. I desperately wanted to see if Ian had come out, but instead, I hopped in the car.

“Mom? What’s going on?”

“Sorry, Ty. I’ll explain everything during dinner.” I turned on the engine and backed away. I wanted to get the hell out of there.

“Mom. Look. There’s Ian.” Tyler glued his face to the window. “Can we ask him to come to dinner with us?”

Ian was alone, standing there watching me drive off. He looked conflicted or mad. I wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. He had a date, and he should be with her.

“No, Ty.” I softened my tone. “He’s busy. He already has plans.”

It was better this way. Tyler was getting too attached to Ian, and perhaps, if I were being honest, so was I.

Later that night, Kate called me on her way home with Lee and sent me a photo of her hand with the ring. They got on the speakerphone and thanked me for my help. They had also called Mom and Dad to let them know the engagement was final, even though they had known ahead of time. Then Kate gave me the amazing details of their dinner and how Lee had proposed to her.

After we hung up, I cried silently in bed. Happy tears for my sister. Excited she had asked me to be her maid of honor. Sad tears of missing Steve and frustrated sobs for the conflicted feelings that were growing for Ian.

Chapter Twenty-Five — After

When I walked into work on Monday morning, Liam and Kate were leaning over Stella’s desk, admiring Kate’s ring. She had shared the details of Lee’s proposal with them.

“That is one giant rock.” Stella’s eyes were glued to the diamond while she held Kate’s hand. “How big is it?”

“I’m guessing it’s like five carats?” Liam said and shrugged when we stared at him. “What? My brother owns a jewelry store.”