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“That’s great news.”
“You know how I feel about charities, man.”
“You mean the only thing you think they are good for is a tax write-off,” Kai said.
“That’s right. So you know that I’m really doing this Big Island Kids thing for you. I mean, who’s a swell manager?”
“You are.”
“Yeah, so since I’ve done you this big money-draining favor, here’s what you need to do. I have to have those advertising shots, bro. We need to unveil the new surfboard next month.”
“Right... About that...”
“I was thinking you could do some shots—still and video—at Jaws. You know, since that’s where the competition’s going to be.”
Kai glanced around him at the bar, wishing he had a stiff drink.
“I’ve got a camera crew coming out there this weekend.”
“I don’t know about a commercial right now, Kirk.” Kai saw out of the corner of his eye that the woman in the bikini seemed to be interested in his conversation. “The competition is soon. I can’t shoot that now. I’ve got training and...” Kai desperately wished for a better excuse.
“What better way to train, bro, then on the break where the competition is? I would’ve thought you’d be camped out there already!”
Kirk was right. Kai knew it, too. He glanced at the back of the bartender, who was busy taking an order across the bar. He definitely needed a drink. The woman with the piña colada leaned in and took a big sip from her straw.
“Fine. You’re right. Okay.”
“Great. Oh, how’s the new trainer working out? What’s her name? April? August?”
“Jun,” Kai corrected. “Uh...” Kai imagined Jun stark-naked beneath him, smooth and pale. “She’s...fine.” And about as complicated as a person got. It still didn’t stop him from wishing she were here with him. The woman at the bar only resembled her. She wasn’t Jun.
“Uh-huh. Keeping things professional?” Kirk asked.
“Sort of.”
“Kai! This is your career we’re talking about, bro. Do not kill the cash cow, man.”
“Believe me, I know it,” he said. “I’ll be fine. Send me the details on the photo shoot, okay?”
He clicked off and saw the woman at the bar was openly staring at him.
Now that he was closer, he saw there were fewer similarities to Jun than he’d thought. He ran a hand through his thick hair. The only reason he was even considering taking that empty seat next to this woman was that vaguely, and at the right angle, she reminded him of Jun. He realized then that he had it bad.
He almost laughed out loud. The one woman who made it clear she didn’t want a relationship with him, and he’d fallen for her. He’d fallen for her and her little boy. At a time when he wasn’t supposed to get distracted, he’d fallen in love.
He’d fought it since the day she’d stood on his porch with that little gift bag, but now there was no use in fighting it anymore.
Then he did laugh. He couldn’t help it.
“What’s so funny?” the woman who only slightly looked like Jun asked him from the bar.
“Love,” Kai said, and shook his head ruefully.
“That bad, huh?” she asked him.
“Worse.” Kai grinned.
“Hey, you look familiar. You’re that surfer guy. Kai Brady!”
Reluctantly, Kai nodded. “That’s me.”
“Famous surfer in the house! Can I buy you a drink?” she asked, and Kai knew what that meant. It was an invitation that went deeper than a round of fruity cocktails.
On any other day, he would have said yes. He wouldn’t have hesitated. But when he looked up at the woman, all he saw was Jun’s stubborn face. He was doomed. In love with a woman who didn’t love him back.
“Thanks, but no,” he said.
Disappointment shadowed her face, but then she rallied. “How about a picture, then? Just one?”
“Okay,” Kai said, and let her snap a selfie with him.
* * *
“I HATE SCHOOL,” whined Po from the backseat the next morning. “I don’t want to go.” He’d groaned nonstop since she’d picked him up the day before, and it had been a constant refrain since. He didn’t like the other kids, didn’t like the teacher, didn’t like that they failed to teach him how to count in Hawaiian like Kaimana did. “I miss Auntie K.,” Po added as he kicked his Spider-Man sneakers into the back of the passenger seat.
