Chapter 19
The whole night was incredible. The food, the view, the sunset, the company. We spent hours chatting about our lives and all the things we love. It’s hard to remember the person I was before marrying Sean, but with Kai, I see her again, feel her, and love her. I want to be that person.
With Kai, the idea of a relationship doesn’t scare me like I expected it to. His candor makes me believe in him, believe in us. But still, I hesitate, worried that it will all come crashing down, mainly because of Sean.
He has a way of fucking up everything good in my life, and while he hasn’t tried anything besides the NDA and the money, there will be more. He can’t lose. He can’t have me not take the money, not sign, leaving him open to people possibly finding out who he really is.
“My songs are great because I’ve lived them,” he’d tell people during interviews. “I drink a lot, I smoke. Love weed. I’m your quintessential bad boy, but deep down, I’m just a regular guy.”
I used to cringe inwardly hearing this repeated everywhere. Pictures snapped of him shirtless, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth, the smoke wafting expertly and artistically.
Staged.
That’s what it was, and he knows better than anyone that women love bad boys. But what they don’t understand is that being attracted to it as a fantasy is one thing, but living it is entirely different. In one simple word, it can be described, but no one wants to put a label on what it really is.
Abuse.
But when my alarm goes off early, Sean is the last person I’m thinking about.
Waking with a smile, Kai on my mind and all his adorableness from last night. It was probably the best time I’ve had in years. It was so easy and natural with him. The conversation had no awkward silences, no nerves. Just pure friendship and enjoyment of each other’s company.
Kai had planned to do some surfing with Miles and Daisy this morning before heading here to pick me up. We also have plans to meet up with Flynn and get me a car later—something I’ve needed for a while but have been putting off.
It’s crazy to think in such a short time here, I’ve made some really great friends. People who will drop everything to help me, and it’s made this move so much easier. I’m falling in love with the island and the people who live here.
It feels like home.
Even if my rental is kind of sketchy. It has the potential to be amazing, and there is a part of me that goes back to the NDA and the money.
Eleven million dollars could buy it, fix it up, make it something this little village could be proud of, as opposed to the lime green eyesore that it is.
Sitting on what I imagine is at least five acres of land, with fruit trees and greenery growing everywhere. There’s an ocean view off the front deck, raised up to make the most of it.
But there are rumors it will eventually be sold to a developer who plans to tear it down and build a hotel. Nothing massive, but small and boutique, dubbed as something that will fit right in with the houses and businesses.
Still, it doesn’t feel right.
So what if I took the money and bought it? Set up a life here. Fall in love, have kids, raise them to surf and love nature.
This is all floating through my head as I shower, getting ready for Kai to pick me up.
My body is humming with this nervous excitement over seeing his parents now that we are officially dating, something I know is new to him.
But I feel honored that he invited me, trying something he’s never done before.
I hear my phone chime. Pulling back the shower curtain, I glance at my phone resting on the counter near the sink. The text from Kai pops up on the screen, letting me know he’ll be here in five minutes.
Quickly finishing up my shower, I get dressed and throw on a little makeup—nothing over the top because it literally melts off your face here. But I honestly like the simplicity of everything here.
People dress casually, flip-flops on, sun-kissed skin, beach waves in their hair, smelling of sunscreen. It feels like perpetual vacation.
And adding in a job I love; this place feels like exactly what I needed to reset and remember who I am.
Stepping out onto the front porch, I take in the view, smiling, letting the sun warm my skin. Why would anyone ever leave here? It’s literal perfection.
Kai pulls into the gravel driveway, his tires tossing some pebbles as he comes to a stop, and I make my way down to meet him.
Climbing in, I lean over and give him a quick kiss. Nothing more than a hello, simple and sweet, but it has my heart beating a little faster. That start-of-a-relationship excitement brewing.
“You look gorgeous,” Kai compliments, running a finger under the thin strap of my sundress. “Ready to see my parents?”
I expect him to be nervous, scared even, but he’s not. Not even a shred of it shows on his face as he rests his hand on my thigh, backing down the long driveway.
While I’ve already met them, things have changed between us since he took me over to see Olsen Boards. We’re in a relationship, not just a friendship. Plus, back then, I really thought it would be over by now, especially with Kai’s reputation.
But here we are, trying something new for both of us.
“Are you ready?” I shoot back, narrowing my eyes. “This is a big deal for you.”
“I’m ready. And anyway, you’ve already met them. They were chill then too. You should be the one questioning it. They’re pretty…” He stops, his thoughts wandering a little, and then he mutters, “Aww, fuck.”
“What?”
“You’re right. They’re going to be really nice to you, but to me, they’re going to give me so much shit. Didn’t even think about it until just now.”
“We can handle it.” Winking at him, he gives my thigh a squeeze. “And besides, I want to hear all about you from your family. Get to know you through them. You might be honest, but they’re going to be brutally honest.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
We pull up out front of a quaint, open-air restaurant that seems to be busy, but as we climb out of the car, Kai tells me not to worry about it.
“We have a standing table. My family comes here every Sunday for breakfast, usually after we’ve surfed. Never brought someone with me, but Daisy will be here with Miles and my parents.”
He links his hand with mine, leading me up to the front, and he begins to weave through the crowded tables, the conversations buzzing.
The waitstaff hit Kai with some hellos and alohas, quick hugs or fist bumps, even a few of the hang loose sign that I see him do so often.
And then he stops in front of a table that is situated in the corner with views of the ocean from both sides. I see Miles and Daisy sitting there, along with Kai’s mom and dad, everyone smiling.
“Aloha,” Kai says, all eyes on us, and I swallow, my nervousness finally hitting me. “You guys remember Quinn, my…” He pauses, looking over at me for help, but all I do is smile.
I don’t care if he calls me his friend, his girlfriend, whatever, as long as he’s comfortable with it. This is new to him, and while I’m fresh out of a fucked up relationship, I feel more comfortable with Kai than I ever did with Sean.
“My girlfriend. Yeah, I said girlfriend. Let’s not go getting all weird about it, okay?” He specifically looks at Miles and Daisy, glaring at them with an intensity that only siblings could. It’s a warning that by no means will be taken seriously.
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Quinn,” says Kai’s mom. She has the same soft and comforting eyes as Kai, and there’s a familiarity to her, like I’ve known her much longer. I feel my own mother in her, and there’s something so pure and welcoming about it.
She motions to the man sitting next to her with the deep tan and tousled brown hair to also greet me, and he does with a smile and friendly aloha.
All of them together, and I take them in, able to fully appreciate the closeness of this family and the love they have for each other. When I met them all earlier, it was quick, and I was unsure what to expect, but now it feels casual and friendly, almost like being with family.
Miles and Kai couldn’t look more like their dad. Matching smiles, and perfectly sloped noses, dark eyes, and those same calloused hands from all the surfboards they’ve made.
Luna is stunning, exactly what you’d expect someone to look like who has grown up on this island. Long dark hair, sun-kissed skin, and eyes just like Kai’s, in a rich brown with long, thick lashes.
No shocker that these two people made some strikingly gorgeous children.
“Kai talks about you all the time, which is…,” his dad says as we sit down, but he trails off when Luna hits him with a telling glare. “How are you enjoying the island?” he now asks, quickly changing the subject.
“Oh, I love it here. It’s so beautiful, and everyone has been so nice. And it’s really great to see all of you again.”
I look around the table, and Miles lets out a laugh, with Daisy smacking him softly on the arm and his mom giving him a look that only a mother could master.
“What?” he says, playing dumb. “So tell me, Quinn, did you know Kai was gonna drop that girlfriend bomb, or were you just as surprised as us?”
“Speak for yourself,” Kai chides. “Maybe you were the only one who didn’t know I was introducing Quinn as my girlfriend.”
“Seriously?” Miles responds, sounding slightly insulted as he looks over at Daisy. “Did you know?”
“I mean, I had an idea. They’ve been getting close for a while now, and Kai has been talking about her a lot. And he hasn’t…” She trails off, giving Kai a sheepish look, and the table erupts with laughter.
“We all know how Kai is,” I say, sticking up for him. “It’s okay, Daisy.” I pat his thigh under the table, and he gives me a playful smile.
“We talked all about this last night at dinner. I took her to the Orchid Bay for the sunset private dining,” Kai tells the table, and Miles’s mouth falls open.
“Shit, bro, you trying to catch some flies over there? Close your mouth, you guppy.” Kai’s words are teasing and fun, with his mom shaking her head at her boys.
“You’d think they’d outgrow this nonsense,” Luna says. “But nope, still at each other’s throats. Best friends and mortal enemies.”
“You’ve never taken me to the private dining at Orchid Bay,” Daisy adds in, mock insulted. “You going to let your brother outdo you?”
“Oh please. Kai’s got a lot of catching up to do if he thinks one date is going to outdo me.” Miles lets out a bothered huff, the table laughing again. “Right, babe?”
Leaning over, Miles wraps an arm around Daisy’s shoulders, pulling her close, he presses a soft kiss to her lips.
Cutting through the teasing, I open with a question that I know will elicit a big response. “Tell me about Kai. I think today is the perfect time to learn all about him.”
“I’m an open book,” he says, holding his arms out. “Give it your best shot. You know there’s nothing you can tell her that I wouldn’t share myself.”
He leans back in his chair, his arm slung over the back of mine, and his fingers begin to absentmindedly play with my hair.
Miles puts on a contemplative face, eyes narrowed, lips pursed as he begins to drum his fingers on the table. After a few silent seconds pass, Miles lets out a hard sigh.
“He’s right. I’ve got nothing on him that would embarrass him. He does everything out in the open without any concern for looking like a fucking fool.”
“Miles, language,” Luna chides.
“Sorry, Ma.”
Daisy looks over at me, smiling as she begins to talk, sharing some really sweet sentiments about Kai, and I can see why he loves all of them.
“He loves to surf, and he’s really good at it.
Probably the best out of all of us because he has no fear.
He’ll catch the biggest waves, getting ragdolled and not caring.
” She stops for a second, seeing if anyone else wants to join in.
But they’re all listening to her, smiling and waiting for her to continue.
“He has the biggest heart and puts everyone ahead of himself. If you need anything, he’s there. No questions asked. Honest to a fault, but so much fun too. He makes me laugh regularly, and he loves, loves, loves my coconut cake.”
Again, she pauses, her eyes welling with tears just a little, so much care and kindness in her words.
“And if you’re lucky, he’ll make huli huli chicken for you. His is the best, but it’s a rare occurrence, and he keeps his recipe a hidden secret.”
Luna swipes at her eyes, brushing back the tears. Every person needs people like this in their life. People who love them and tell them how special they are. Every word Daisy has said is an homage to Kai and his loyalty to his friends and family.
“Sold,” I reply when she falls quiet.
Leaning over, I press my lips to Kai’s in a kiss that says I’m forever grateful that he picked me.