Chapter 16
The sunrise sent pink streaks in the morning sky, and Jo was behind the counter preparing to open the diner. She had just started a pot of Queen’s Blend when her phone buzzed with an alert. She wiped her damp hands and tapped her phone.
“Hmm, what’s this?”
When the app opened, it showed that her crowdfunding campaign had reached its initial goal, meaning it would be funded and she could produce the coffee and merchandise to go with it.
Ten thousand dollars.
“Oh, my gosh.” She let out a little squeal. Adrenaline coursed through her. Her fingers shaking with excitement, she sent a group message to Junie, Maileah, and Rocky: First hurdle crossed!
Their congratulations flooded in. Now the campaign had to keep going to reach her real goal and make her life a little easier.
She set the pot on the warmer and stood basking in the moment. Plenty of pledges were from her customers and others on Crown Island, but now the majority were from strangers lending their support.
It almost didn’t seem real.
The clock ticked loudly, signaling the opening time. She tied her apron tighter and unlocked the front door, still tingling with excitement.
“Good morning, everyone,” she called out with her happiest, broadest smile.
Deb Whitaker, along with Hank and Sherri, were the first customers in the door.
“Sounds like you’re having a great morning,” Hank said.
“And a good morning to you,” Deb said, sliding onto a stool. “You look like you have a huge secret. Come on, spill it. We need to know why you’re grinning like the Cheshire Cat.”
Jo rested her elbows on the counter, cradling her face with a teasing smile.
“First, it’s time for diner trivia. Do you know where Lewis Carroll got that phrase for Alice in Wonderland?
Seems that in Cheshire, England, the local cheesemakers often made cheese shaped like big old smiling cats.
” She held up her hand as if to swear, enjoying this.
“True story—I hear everything at this counter.”
“Oh, stop it,” Deb exclaimed. “It’s too early for this, and you’re stalling. Now you’ve got to tell us.”
“Okay, okay,” Jo said, laughing. She did a little happy dance. “My crowdfunder campaign just hit its first goal. I’m so excited, I’m about to burst. I’m trying not to scream with joy.”
“That’s fabulous,” Deb said, giving her a high-five. “I think we should all scream with you.”
Sherri grinned and started the countdown. “Let’s go! Three, two, one!”
The four of them let out a scream of joy, loud enough to bring Dulcie and the kitchen staff racing out to see what happened.
Dulcie cried out, “What happened?”
“The crowdfunder made it!” Laughing, Jo came around the front of the counter, hugged Dulcie, then Deb.
Hugs and cheers exploded all around.
“Oh, my gosh, thank you all for this,” Jo said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “I really needed it.”
“Life is tough,” Deb said, smiling. “We have to cheer each other on and celebrate our wins together.”
Mid-morning, between the last of the breakfast plates and the first of the lunch orders, Mahina called from Hawaii.
“It’s official,” Mahina said. “Leilani and Noe signed our agreement this morning. We’re a cooperative now, and we can meet your needs.”
Jo pressed the phone to her ear. “And they’re happy with my terms?”
“Lani’s been growing Kona for twenty years, and she said it was about time somebody built a coffee brand that looked like the women who grow the beans.” Mahina chuckled. “Noe took over her grandmother’s groves. She teared up when I told her the good news.”
“Tell them I said mahalo from the bottom of my heart,” Jo said, her voice cracking with emotion.
“That’s fantastic news. We’ll have the beans when you need them.”
“Soon,” Jo said, smiling as she told her about the crowdfunding success. “We’re praying the campaign goes higher.”
“We’ll send all our good vibes your way,” Mahina said. “I’ll post your campaign on our social media, too.”
Jo hung up and went back to the counter, feeling lighter than she had in a long time.
Right away, she posted a notice on their community board just outside the diner. Part-time packaging and fulfillment, flexible hours.
She had more applicants than spots by the end of the day.
She interviewed them in a booth between shifts, with a pot of coffee and her notebook, until she found two who could start soon.
One was a young mother who needed hours that fit around the school day, and the second was a retired empty nester who wanted something to do.
They would label bags, fill gift boxes, and pack, working out of a large storeroom behind the kitchen Jo had never fully utilized. She would let them know when they could start.
Jo was thrilled. The project was starting to become real.
Later that day, Jo saw Rocky come into the diner and slide onto a counter stool. When she finished serving a customer, she walked over to check on him. “What’ll be? A late lunch or early dinner?”
“I came to congratulate you in person.” He drummed his fingers on the counter. “When’s the last time you got out of here and did something fun?”
“It’s been a while. I’ve been focused on this project.”
Rocky laced his fingers. “It helps to step away and refresh. Since you just had a major win, this is a good time to celebrate and unwind before the second phase takes off. If your crew can cover for you, let’s go to the beach. I hear the snorkeling is pretty good on the other side of the island.”
Jo nodded. How long had it been since she'd done that? Being out in the sun and recharging in the water sounded good to her.
“Technically, tomorrow is my day off,” she said. “Though I haven’t taken a day off in a while.”
“That’s what I thought. I’ll pick you up at ten.”
Jo laughed. “What happened to asking?”
He pressed his hands together. “Please?”
“You’ve got it; my place at ten,” she replied, grinning at his antics.
“Done.” Rocky slapped her hand in a high-five, then whirled around on the swivel stool a couple of times before leaving.
The next morning, Rocky arrived in Sailor’s truck, which he’d been using while his friend was away.
Two snorkel sets and a cooler sat in the back.
They drove to a cove on the far side of the island Jo hadn’t been to in a while.
A rocky point kept the open surf at bay, and in the cove, the water was clear and protected. They stopped and got out.
“I talked to my uncle Flint, and he says this is the best spot to see fish here,” Rocky said, handing Jo a mask and fins to put on. “We should see orange garibaldi, opaleye, and if we’re lucky, leopard sharks.”
Jo looked up with her mask on. “You’re taking me to swim with sharks?”
Rocky laughed as he adjusted his mask, too. “Leopard sharks won’t bother you. They’re the golden retrievers of the shark family.”
“They’re still sharks.” She held her fins, hesitating.
“If any of them start charging us, I’ll protect you.” Rocky threw his arms around her to demonstrate, and they both laughed.
“Okay, I trust you,” Jo said. And she did.
The water was cool when they got in, but Jo adjusted to it and regulated her breathing through the tube extending out of the water.
She’d forgotten how beautiful everything was below the ocean’s surface.
This world was full of the most brilliant hues of life and vegetation. She stayed by Rocky’s side.
He tapped her shoulder and pointed to bright orange garibaldi fish darting between rocks. A small stingray glided over the sand, its wing-like fins undulating underwater. Schools of silver fish turned gracefully back and forth in the speckled light from above.
Jo loved being in the water and snorkeling. She floated, feeling weightless in a hushed underwater world blissfully void of spreadsheets and mortgages.
A leopard shark glided nearby, then swiftly shifted course when it saw them and darted away, returning to its sea floor foraging for crabs and clams.
Rocky was right; she’d needed this. Her cares slipped away, and a sense of calm swept over her like gentle, cleansing waves.
They came up after being in the water for quite a while. Rocky hauled himself onto a rock and shook water from his hair like a dog while Jo laughed. As they toweled off, they chatted about the wonders they’d seen.
“I can’t believe you took me swimming with the sharks,” Jo said, smiling.
“That shark knew who he was dealing with,” Rocky said, rinsing off their gear. “Did you see how fast it left you alone?”
Jo sat on a smooth rock to brush sand from her feet. She paused to take in the view. “What a day. I don’t know why I don’t do this more often.”
Rocky sat beside her. “Maybe you’ve gotten used to the beach and the ocean always being there. Unless you’re regularly surfing, swimming, or sailing, it’s easy to forget.”
“It’s been a while,” she admitted, bringing her knees up to clasp her arms around them. “I like to walk on the beach and bike alongside it. Being in the water is a different feeling.”
Rocky bumped her with his shoulder. “A good one, I hope.”
“That was the best. Thanks.”
“Anytime.” He paused, gazing into her eyes with a different, deeper look than ever before. “I really mean that. Whenever you want to go out on the water, I’m your guy.”
“I like knowing that.” Something in his voice had shifted, and she wondered if they were heading toward the deep end.
“And I like these curls,” he said, smiling. He tugged on one of her wet curls and watched it spring back into place. “I like everything about you. Would you ever…” His words trailed off as he lowered his eyes and brought his forehead to hers.
The heat from his sun-warmed body drew her in, and she slid her hand over his cheek. They stayed like that for a few moments, their foreheads together, listening to the beat of their hearts.
Shifting slightly, she lifted her lips toward his, feeling his breath on her skin and knowing what he was proposing. Only a little bit more, and their friendship would change.
She touched his lips with her finger, feeling the smooth fullness of his skin. Could she let herself go there with him? How simple it would be, just another moment, and everything would be different.
But was there any room in her heart for him?
She closed her eyes, turned her face, and laid her cheek on his shoulder instead, thinking of Blue.
“Not yet,” she whispered. “I can’t.”
Rocky held her and stroked her back. “I understand.”
“It’s not you,” she began, pulling back to look at him. How could she explain?
He put a finger to her lips. “I know that. You don’t have to explain. But know I’m here. Anytime, Jo. Helping you go for your dream made me realize what an amazing woman you are.”
She placed her palm on his bare chest, lamenting her decision but unable to act on it. “Thank you for understanding.”
Rocky pulled back and let out a long breath. “Okay then. You know, being in the water always makes me hungry.”
“Me, too,” she said, getting her bearings again.
“Great.” He shoved off the rock and stood, brushing his hands. “I heard about a great place for tacos nearby. Are you up for Mexican food?”
“Always. Let’s go.” She tucked her fins under her arm.
And just like that, they were back in the friend zone, though she felt a little awkward. She stole a glance at him. He was taking it fine.
They put their wet items in the back of the truck, and he held out his hand to help her in.
“Thanks,” she said, resting her hand on his for balance.
Rocky shut the door and folded his arms on the open window, the door safely between them. “We’re still good, right?”
Jo nodded, relieved at his question. “We are.”
He drove a few minutes until they saw a food truck parked in a gravel area with picnic tables and lights strung overhead.
A hand-painted sign read Isla Tacos. A small line had formed in front of the food truck, and tables were nearly full.
Kids played at the water’s edge while their parents ate and watched them.
“I didn’t expect so many people here,” Rocky said. “Did you know about this place?”
“It’s a popular spot among locals,” Jo replied. “They make the best beer-battered Baja tacos, with chipotle crema and lime on homemade corn tortillas.”
He rubbed his hands together. “I love places like this in San Diego.”
They ordered fish tacos and cold Mexican sodas. They didn’t have to wait long for their order.
Jo was pleased. The fish was fresh and flaky, and the tortillas were delicious, so different from what people bought in stores.
They settled under the shade of a palm tree to eat.
As they ate, they talked about everything except business.
Rocky told her about his twin brother Reed, and how they used to compete at everything until they found their own paths.
Jo told him about Hugo’s first day working at the diner when he was only thirteen, but he’d insisted on helping.
Her customers had watched her little brother grow up.
Jo was happy that their conversation flowed effortlessly, despite what had nearly happened between them earlier. Even the occasional silence between them was easy.
She finished her tacos, looked out at the water, and shook her head.
“What’s up?” Rocky asked.
Jo glanced at him. “I’m thinking how strange it is to have such a great day when other things in my life are falling apart.”
Rocky was quiet for a moment. “Not everything is falling apart. The project is sure coming together. That’s what we’re celebrating.”
“Of course, I didn’t mean that.” She left it at that.
“Sometimes it’s good to start over,” Rocky said, bumping her with his shoulder again. “You’ll know when the right time is.”
She smiled. “Are you flirting with me?”
He turned serious. “I’m telling you the truth, Jo. You deserve a lot more.”