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Angel raised his head.
Leilani stepped out of his arms.
The moment was lost.
“Olina?” Leilani frowned. “Is everything all right?”
The woman shook her head. “It’s Palili. She had another one of her nightmares, and she’s asking for you.” Olina looked from Leilani to Angel. “I can tell her you’re not home.”
“No,” Leilani said. “Don’t do that. We’ll come.” She took Angel’s hand. “Olina, this is Angel. Angel, meet Olina.”
Olina frowned. “Are you sure? I don’t want to ruin your evening.”
Angel wasn’t about to confirm that Olina had already ruined the finale to a wonderful date with her beautiful friend. “Not at all. We’d love to help.” And he really did want to help the little girl despite having missed a kiss he’d been wishing for since Leilani had appeared in that dress.
Olina led the way into one of the bedrooms in the two-bedroom suite. The room had two double beds. A little boy slept in one of the beds, undisturbed by the sobbing little girl curled up next to the oldest daughter.
Leilani went to the little girl and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Palili, sweetheart, it’s me, Lani.”
The little girl rolled over and opened red-rimmed eyes. “Lani?”
As soon as Leilani sat on the edge of the bed, the girl threw herself into her arms and cried some more.
“It’s okay, baby,” she said, stroking the child’s hair and her back.”
“I c-couldn’t s-swim,” she said. “And the water was so c-cold.”
“It was just a dream, sweetie,” Leilani said. “You’re awake now. Warm and dry. In your bed with Mamo, your mama and Noa. And look,” Leilani placed a finger beneath Palili’s chin and raised her head. “Check out my handsome date.”
Palili blinked back tears and stared up at Angel. “He’s so tall,” she whispered and buried her face against Leilani’s chest. “Doesn’t that scare you?”
Leilani laughed softly. “No, he makes me feel safe, knowing I’m with him. Say hello to him. He doesn’t bite. I promise.”
Palili ventured a glance at him.
Angel held out his hand. “Palili, my name is Angelo. It’s nice to meet you.”
Palili looked to Leilani.
Leilani nodded.
The little girl took Angel’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Angel gave her little hand a shake and let go. With a smile down at the pair, he waved toward Leilani. “Did Leilani show you the dress she wore for our date?”
Palili shook her head.
“Stand up, Leilani,” Olina urged.
“Yes, please,” the older girl said. “We want to see the dress.”
Leilani looked down into Palili’s eyes. “Is that okay?”
Palili nodded. “I want to see the dress, too.”
Leilani untangled herself from Palili’s arms and stood, smoothing a hand over her dress. “What do you think?”
Palili’s eyes widened. “You’re beautiful.”
