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“She’s got her headphones on, right?” the brunette asked.
“Yes, she can’t hear us. But even if she could...she knows as well as we do that they’re an aesthetic mismatch. There’s no way a rich hunk like that would be with a woman like her if he wasn’t blind.”
Paige struggled not to react and hoped her sunglasses hid away the emotions that slipped out anyway. She never should’ve listened to their conversation. She had known what she was in for and now she’d let it ruin a perfectly good morning by the pool. The most painful part of the whole discussion was the fact that the woman was right. Paige did know they were an odd match, and she agreed with them. She’d had the same thoughts a dozen times since Mano kissed her. Would he feel the same if he could see her? She worried the answer was no, but he was the only one who disagreed.
“Someone sounds jealous,” the brunette taunted her friend.
“I’m not jealous!” the other woman snapped. “I just think that if the guy could stand the two of us side by side and see us to compare, it would be me in the fancy suite with him, not her.”
“Do you really want a blind guy? He wouldn’t appreciate your new boobs.”
The blonde chuckled. “He’s got hands, doesn’t he? And really, who cares? He owns the hotel. He’s filthy rich. I’d happily live my life off his dime while he stumbled around with his dog. I mean, who would be dumb enough to say no to that, even if he’s blind?”
The waiter returned with Paige’s drink and a fruit and cheese plate she didn’t order. “What’s this?” she asked.
“I got orders from Mr. Bishop to bring you a snack. He insisted that the baby needs to eat.” He left the plate on a table beside her and put the pineapple seltzer beside it. He didn’t notice the gasp of the women nearby, but Paige did. If they thought she was pregnant with his child, their heads would probably explode. Let them think it.
“Thank you,” she told the waiter.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” the blonde hissed.
“God, I hope the baby looks like him.”
That was all Paige could take. She cranked up her music and tried to focus on the snack Mano had sent for her. Even though she couldn’t hear any more of their venomous words, she didn’t need to. The damage was already done. What little ego Mano had built up in her over the last few days gave way, and she felt as ugly and unlovable as she had the day she found out Wyatt was with Piper.
She picked at the fruit and cheese because she knew she should, and eventually she tried to read. It was impossible to do with the music so loud in her ears, but she couldn’t risk hearing any more of the women’s conversation.
When she was done eating, Paige decided her time by the pool was over. She might as well go back upstairs to change and go shopping for a while. Maybe a little retail therapy would improve her mood.
Paige started gathering her things into her bag, finally removing her earbuds and noticing with relief that the women were now discussing their extensive grooming habits instead. As she stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder, she heard the brunette speak again.
“Aren’t you going to get in the pool?”
“No,” the blonde said. “I just had my hair colored before we came. My stylist said if I get chlorine on it, it will turn green. I
don’t like getting in pools, anyway. How do I know some kid hasn’t peed in it?”
Paige tried not to roll her eyes as she left. Their chairs were nearer to the pool’s edge than hers, so she had to get close to the water to move past them. Then she paused as she realized that she was leaving and she still hadn’t gotten into the pool. Putting her bag down on another chair, she eyed the distance and slipped out of her shoes. She took a running leap, cannonballing into the pool right in front of the two women.
As she broke the surface, she could hear the women screaming about getting wet. A quick glance confirmed that the blonde was now completely soaked, including her hair. She really hoped that it did turn green.
Paige calmly climbed out of the pool and wrapped herself in a towel. As she left, she turned and gave a little wave to the women.
Damn, she thought as she disappeared down the path. That felt good.
* * *
“Let’s go for a walk on the beach,” Mano suggested. “The sun is about to go down.”
Paige snuggled closer to Mano as they sat on the couch. “I’m happy right here.”
“Perhaps, but in a few days, you can sit on the couch and do nothing whenever you want. You won’t be able to walk along Waikiki beach and watch the sky change colors as the sun sets.”
“Yes,” she countered, “but I won’t be able to do either of those things with you.”
Mano hugged her tighter and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. “If your only requirement is being with me, I say you be with me while we walk on the beach.”
Paige groaned but reluctantly sat up. Mano whistled for Hoku, and they prepared to go downstairs. He hoped she didn’t notice him slip the gift he bought her into the pocket of his cargo shorts. As he expected, she hadn’t taken advantage of his offer to buy her something, so he’d taken the initiative to choose a gift for her himself. He was certain that he’d selected something far nicer and more expensive than she ever would’ve chosen on her own.
