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I shake my head. “It can’t hurt. She’s had enough of that.”
“What if tonight, after you’re all moved in, you open a bottle of wine, sweet-talk her into bed, then tell her you have feelings for her and that you might have gone out of your way to meet her for the wrong reasons, but you’re all in now. She’s either going to believe you or she’s not.”
True, but that’s asking a lot of someone who’s been betrayed by a parent she idolized for most of her life. In fact, she’s been disillusioned by men for a decade. Had her trust burned. She needs me to give her more than platitudes to believe that revenge is now the last thing on my mind.
“You’re on the right track, but I think I have the perfect idea.”
“Good. I hope it works out. I’d like to see you happy.”
After lifting the last suitcase from Ash’s car, I lug it toward the front door, where I hear the women chatting and the sports channel in the background informing me that the Jaguars beat the Bills in the first Wild Card game of the playoffs.
I glance over and notice the way Ash is looking at Samantha. “I’d like to see you happy, too. Any chance?”
A sly grin crosses his face. “When I first got together with Sam, I was thinking no-strings sex. But she’s successfully—and creatively—put me off and forced me to get to know her. I’m digging the way she has this fun approach to life, but it’s serious, too. And you know I’ve never taken anything too seriously. Her? She’s different.”
“I totally understand.”
Ash claps me on the back, then drops his voice. “You got this. Just convince Beth that being with her has changed your mind.”
I also have to convince her that being with her has changed my heart, that I came to Hawaii prepared to make her pay because I hated her. Now all I want to do is love her forever.
“Yep. I’ll let you know tomorrow how it goes.”
Late that night, I’m about to drop over from exhaustion, but Bethany and I are settled into our new apartment. In truth, it’s just shy of a train wreck right now. It’s a studio apartment with less than five hundred square feet. I’ve never lived in a place so run-down and cramped. It came unfurnished, so after Ash and Sam left to start their shift, we spent the afternoon at thrift stores buying a second-hand futon, a coffee table, and a couple of folding chairs, along with some mismatched dishes. At a big-box store, we bought some must-have small appliances and groceries, then lugged it all back here to organize.
Finally, after hours of sweat-inducing work and a takeout pizza, we’re settled in. It’s a definite step down from the ohana Beth has been staying in. But our new place has a quirky charm I don’t hate. And most important, it’s ours—together.
While we were at the big-box store, I slipped two doors down to another store while she was perusing a small table and chairs for the dining area. In less than ten minutes, I found the one thing that should convince her I love her and, despite our twisted past, I seriously want to spend my future with her.
A gorgeous two-carat engagement ring. It’s simple and elegant and looks exactly like her.
Hopefully, when I propose, she’ll say yes. Then, thank god, I should be able to come clean so we can start our future together.
I’m also glad that will mean the end of my poor bartender act. I’m exhausted. Then again, who wouldn’t be after a few hours of sleep, thanks to our late-night discussion and our early-morning lovemaking, followed by hours of lifting heavy shit and carting it up two flights of stairs—no elevator—all day? Bethany looked somewhere between weary and catatonic when I shooed her into the shower and told her I’d toss some of the new sheets we laundered in the communal facility downstairs onto our crappy little futon mattress.
And I will. Right now, I feel glued to my chair. I’m trying to muster the energy to move while staring at the black-velvet ring box in my grip, nervous as hell. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s chill ukulele-rich version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” plays in the background, assuring me that dreams I dreamed of really do come true. I hope so. If all the clouds were actually far behind me right now, I could believe it more easily. When I close my eyes, I can picture Beth and me, hand-in-hand, under the swaying palms, all smiles living an amazing life here together. I believe it…almost.
But what if she doesn’t say yes? What if she can’t forgive me?
As I hear the shower spray turn on, my phone buzzes. Who the hell is calling this late? I glance at the display. Why is Bret ringing me past midnight his time? I shouldn’t complain. At least he’s calling me after hanging up, hopefully to listen to what I’m saying about Bethany.
