by Cee, DW
“Is it wise to be cozy with a guy you hardly know?” I chirped.
Now this girl outright ignored me and only conversed with Emily. “Aaron asked me out, I said no thank you, and that was the extent of the porch swing incident. I tried my best not to have him sit on the porch swing, but he wouldn’t take the hint.”
“Why didn’t you want him on the swing?” I asked, and she gave me her non-committal shrug. “Speak!” I wasn’t going to accept her non-answer.
“That porch swing is special to me. It has significance and meaning, and I didn’t want Aaron there.”
“So there’s a story behind that swing?” What kind of story could be associated with a porch swing? This girl was definitely an unusual one.
“Maybe.”
“Would you let me sit there?”
“Maybe.”
Nowhere was exactly where we were going so I stopped our conversation for the time being.
Damn! I loved Hawaii. No matter how many times I visited these cluster of islands, they were just as stunning as the last.
“How’d you work this miracle? I can’t believe I’m here to work!” Jane did a 360 taking in the surroundings.
“I didn’t do a thing. Our clients picked the location and they are paying for everything. Wait till you see Kate’s room.” As I said this, Delaney walked past us and climbed into the second car. I had her close to me disembarking the plane, but lost her once Jane came to talk to me.
Jake, Emily, Jane and I got into the first car and happily went about our way.
“You are not to call the house, my beloved wife,” Jake warned, and took Emily’s phone away.
“But shouldn’t we let your parents know we arrived safely? Don’t you want to speak with the kids?”
“My parents already know and the kids don’t speak. All I’ll get is a firm ‘no!’ from our girl and our boy is none the wiser and happier. Let them be and enjoy yourself.”
“But Jake...” The whining was cut off with a serious make-out session.
“Will you two cut it out?” Jane, who was sitting next to them, slapped her brother and his wife. Her brother didn’t give a damn. “Wait till Max gets here. I’ll get you both back.”
“Max is coming?” I didn’t know how I felt about Max joining us. I assumed the four of us would hang out once work was done, but Max’s arrival changed things.
“Yeah.” Jane was bubbling over with excitement as she told me of her clever maneuvering to get her boyfriend and his brothers on the island. Oddly, I was happy for Jane. I liked knowing that life was working itself out for her and there was no jealousy or animosity on my side. I wished her only the best.
We all parted ways once we checked-in, and I was awestruck with the Presidential villa. Damn! This was one swanky place. I’d seen pictures on the internet but pictures couldn’t do it justice. This villa, in a nutshell, described Kate. She was high-end, classy, and a born-elite. She wasn’t right in my world, and though I once desired to be a part of her world, now I wanted the comforts of the Taylor-style of living—fun, adventurous, and filled with laughter.
“Hey!” Nick peeked into the screen door. “Can we come in and visit the palace?”
“The door’s wide open. Come on in.” I invited all the Reids, who oohed and aahed through each room.
“Not that I’m complaining, but it seems hardly fair that you and Kate are in a four-bedroom—especially since you’ll only use one bed—while the three of us are crammed in one room.”
Little did Nick know, I had no thoughts of sleeping with Kate. “One or two of you want to stay here with us?” Both guys jumped at the offer. Delaney ignored all of us and walked out to the Lanai. From my peripheral vision, I could see her walking toward the back.
“Can you come out and play for a while?”
“Yep!” I answered, and walked out to the chaise lounge Delaney was relaxing on and put out my hand to help her up. She hesitated, again, then reluctantly put her hand in mine.
We walked past Jake and Emily relaxing by the pool, and lost Jane to the lure of sipping cocktails and reading a book with her brother and sister-in-law.
I’d also lost Delaney. I looked around and couldn’t figure out where she’d gone. Jake saw me do the whole ballerina twirl searching for my lost friend and shook his head. He pointed to the ocean and mouthed “beach,” sending me in the right direction.
“Hey,” Nick called me their way. “I thought we were getting information on the outrigger canoe?”
“Um, yeah. Let’s do that.”
It took no time at all to rent canoes. The three of us hopped on and had a thrilling ride.
“Man, I’m wiped. Let’s grab some grub,” Nick commented after he and Doug took back our rented equipment. “I suppose we are on our own for food, huh? We can’t exactly bill it to the law firm?”
“Will anyone know it wasn’t Donovan eating nine meals a day if we billed all the meals to our room?” Doug guffawed at the thought. “I’ll make sure each of us skips a meal.”
Nick busted up. “That’s brilliant, Doug. Laney can skip every dinner, and you and I can take turns skipping breakfast and lunch. Hell, we can both skip breakfast so the final tally doesn’t come up too high.”
“You guys are serious losers.” I laughed at their idiotic ideas. “You finished lounging and ready to work?” I addressed a sleepy-eyed Jane, who walked over to our lunch table set up on the sand.
“You seriously wearing Burberry swim trunks? You’re such a closet chick. Did you actually go buy those?”
“What the hell’s wrong with my swim trunks?”
“Nothing...if you like that pink, gingham sort of combination.”
“Last I checked, my trunks weren’t pink.”
I was about to argue my point when I saw Delaney coming out of the ocean looking like Bo Derek. Her top half was covered by a rash guard, but there was no hiding those long legs. She was a perfect 10. Doug explained to me that Delaney was a fish in the water, and I was looking forward to finding out how good she really was.
“Oh my gosh, that was so wonderful!” She was full of energy, literally bouncing up and down in her rash guard. I’d noticed in the past how well-endowed she was, but damn was she ever well-endowed!
“Don’t you think your outfit is a little skimpy for a run and swim on the beach?” Doug wasn’t happy. As much as I liked the view, I had to agree.
Delaney argued with her brother until she got fed up, and in a move that made my heart stop, she took off her rash guard to reveal a teal bikini top to match the teal bikini bottom. Fucking hell! I did not need visuals of her perfect tits, up close and personal. I could feel myself growing big, and I was never more grateful I chose to wear a shirt over my swim trunks. Damn! I’d have to sit down so no one would notice my discomfort.
The hell with Bo Derek. Delaney Reid was the ultimate 10 in a string bikini!
Delaney all but stuck out her tongue at Doug and went off with a few gawking Hawaiian boys to go paddle boarding.
“I didn’t realize your sister was so athletic in water sports.” I needed to change the subject so I wouldn’t think about how supple her breasts were.
“She’s not at all what she looks. She is athletic in just about every sport she picks up.” Jake would always be Delaney’s champion. “I bet she can beat you in golf, Donovan.”
What the fuck? Was my best friend kidding me? “You do know I have a 2 handicap? There’s no way that little squirt can beat me.” They must’ve infused too much pineapple into Jake’s water at this hotel.
“Do I hear a bet coming on?” Jake yelled for Laney to come back, and after much trash talking between the girl in the teal bikini and myself, we set a tee time for five in the morning.
“How afraid do I have to be?” I whispered so only Doug could hear me.
“Very! Did anyone ever inform you that my father was a scratch golfer, possibly PGA material had he not gone to med school? Gue
ss who took after Dad in the golf department?”
“Shit!”
“Shit is right. You better go practice on the range if you want to beat my sister.”
I took Doug’s advice and went straight to the driving range as soon as our lunch was done. It shouldn’t have surprised me to see Delaney practicing.
“Why are you here?”
She looked at me as though I’d asked the most asinine question, ever. “I’m here for the same reason you are here. I’m practicing so I can kick your ass tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Really!”
“Where’d you get those clubs?”
“The same place you got yours.”
“You gonna be a smartass every time I ask you a question?”
“Only if you ask idiotic ones.”
That did it. I walked into her practice space and flung her over my shoulder. She was a tall girl so it wasn’t an easy task.
“Put me down!” she softly yelled. “I have a short skirt on.”
I was dying to sneak a peek, but decided not to be a pervert. “You going to mouth off to me ever again?”
Delaney was furiously pushing her skirt down, upside-down while answering, “I still might?!?”
“Then I guess I need to teach you a lesson.”
“Mr. Taylor. I’m getting dizzy. There’s too much blood rushing to my head.”
“Are you going to continue to be a smartass?”
“Yes! I will continue to be a smartass as long as you continue to be a dumbass!” This girl was a laugh-and-a-half.
I walked into the ocean with her on my shoulder and Delaney knew what was coming. “NO!” I heard right before I “threw” her into the water. Of course I made sure she was safe, then started running out when I saw her come at me with a vengeance.
“Get your dumbass over here, Mr. Taylor!”
I ran like a scared little girl, but lost out to a raging Delaney who jumped at me with her wet body. I had no alternative but to catch her. To get even, she plastered her very wet body on my very willing body. She didn’t mean anything sexual by wrapping her long legs around my thigh, but to onlookers, we were two lovers not able to get enough of each other. I needed to push her off my body before she felt the growing hard-on.
“Are you cold?” I asked when I felt her shiver.
Suddenly, it dawned on Delaney how intimate we were and she instantly put her legs down. Once she caught her bearing, she pushed away and apologized. “Sorry. I wasn’t meaning to be so close...I was just trying to get you wet...Gosh, I hope no one saw my stupidity...why don’t we go get our clubs?”
Delaney walked off and I trailed. I liked this playful Delaney. When there were no misunderstandings about Jane, Kate or anything else, we were like Frick and Frack, Albert and Costello, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo. We enjoyed each other and had the best time. Too many times there were these damn issues stopping us from just plain enjoying each other’s company.
“Donovan.” This was the voice to bring me back to reality. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over the hotel for you.”
“Hey, Kate. You’re here.” Kate frowned at my obvious displeasure.
“Yes. Why do you look like someone threw a pail of water on you?”
“Oh. It’s...a long story. Have you settled in?”
“Yes. I thought we might have cocktails on our lanai.”
I looked over at Delaney who refused to turn around. I wanted to catch her attention and ask her to wait up for me. She wouldn’t give me the satisfaction.
“Let me go take care of my golf clubs. Why don’t I meet you in the room?”
“Sure.”
I walked quickly until Kate was out of sight, and then ran over to Delaney. “Hey. Wait up!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.” She let out a weak smile and did a two-step to get away from me.
“Delaney...”
She waved politely and left.
Shit.
I was determined now more than ever to see an end with Kate. Before I did that, I needed to go see my buddy and ask for advice. Jake was right. I was one messed-up idiot.
“We are here on vacation.” Jake droned when I showed up at his door. I didn’t give a shit that he wanted me far away from their suite.
“You’ve been my best friend since birth. I need your help.”
“What can I do for you now?” Jake dragged those words to let me know he was annoyed with me.
“What if I wanted to talk about Delaney?”
“Finally!” Jake perked up and called for Emily to join us.
“OK—I lied. It’s about Kate.”
Emily got up to go back into her bedroom.
“I’d love your insight, Emily...if it’s not too much of a bother...if you’re not too tired...?”
“What’s on your mind, Donovan?” There were many places to sit in this suite, and Emily chose to sit so close to her soulmate that the sides of their body, from shoulder to feet were touching. I liked that. I wanted that. “I tell you what. Let’s be honest with one another tonight. Put what’s on your mind on the back burner. Let’s talk about what’s in your heart.”
“Emily, aren’t they one in the same?” I wasn’t being a smartass like Delaney was to me earlier. I truly didn’t understand the difference.
“May I explain the difference between the two for you?”
“Please!”
“Kate is on your mind because she’s an unwanted distraction. You’re agonizing over how to end a relationship that hasn’t been a relationship for years. You’re too nice to cut her off when she’s a nuisance, and too selfish to let her go when she provides ‘extra’ perks.”
“Well...” Emily wouldn’t let me defend myself.
“And then there’s Jane who’s on your mind, intermittently. She’s a fun distraction for you—regardless of the fact that she’s dating a wonderful man. When opportunity presents itself, you play with her mind, believing it’s all done in fun, not realizing you are ‘seducing’ her with your smooth words and useless promises.”
Damn! I shouldn’t have asked.
“You’re brilliant!” Jake whispered and kissed her.
“But the woman who is in your heart is Laney. You become the best man you can be when you’re with her. She makes you smile like you’ve found a pot of gold, and laugh like you won the lotto. You treasure every moment you’re with her, and maneuver every situation to be closer to her. What part of this don’t you see and understand? Why do you deny and fight it?”
I sighed not knowing how to respond.
“I agree with you about Kate. We’ve used each other for years and regardless of her feelings for me, I don’t have any feelings for her. As for Jane, I think you’re only half-correct. I know I shouldn’t flirt with her when she’s with another guy, but I find myself drawn to her. She’s fun, she’s smart, and we get along well. Doesn’t it say something about my feelings for her when I tell you I feel drawn to her?”
“Buddy, you’re curious, and you have been curious about Jane for a while. Maybe I should’ve let you date her and get that out of your system. There are ten other women who are fun, smart, and easy to get along with, but that doesn’t mean you want a relationship with any of them.”
“All right. I’ll think more on the issue of Jane and try and come to a resolution one way or the other.”
“Hallelujah!” Jake praised.
“But with Delaney, you’re both completely wrong. I don’t coerce situations to be with her, and I don’t see her as anything but the little girl who used to jump on my back in Gram’s swimming pool.” Jake sighed, Emily groaned, and they both shook their heads at me. “OK! I admit, she’s hot. When she took of her rash guard earlier today, it wasn’t the most comfortable situation for me. I’m disgusted with myself for being physically attracted to her. But that’s all it is—a physical attraction. The man in me can’t seem to turn off the s
tunning visual.”
“You’re not just lusting; you’re in love with her. There’s a big difference between the two.”
“If she weren’t your cousin, you’re telling me you wouldn’t find her attractive?”
“Shit. That’s disgusting, Man. Don’t even go there.”
“As for the smiles and laughter,” I went back to Emily’s bullet points, “she’s a funny, witty, and extremely bright girl. Of course I’m always laughing around her.”
“Donovan, godfather of my children, what about when you get all possessive of her—especially where other men are concerned.”
“Mother of my godchildren,” I addressed Emily similarly, “I’m only looking out for this beautiful woman who has too many men chasing after her.”
Emily shook her head again. “I am too tired for this table tennis of words so I’ll leave you with one thought. When Jake and I found out that we were having twins, we thought very hard about how we wanted to raise them, and who would be an important part of their lives. We are not religious and initially, we weren’t going to have godparents. We figured with so many generations of Reids, the twins would be abundantly loved and cared for, regardless of godparents. That’s why we never had a christening. Once they were born, Jake and I thought more seriously about a living will and who we’d like to see impart love, knowledge, and good sense into our kids. Of course, Jane and Max were frontrunners in this category, but once we saw you and Laney interacting with our babies, we knew you two were meant to be—in every way. As you both are the perfect godparents for our children, you are also perfect for one another. Sleep on that while Kate is in bed with you.” Emily left us after imparting her wisdom.
“Has she always had this much bite?”
“Yep.” Jake smiled as if he’d won the lotto. “She is soft and sweet on the outside, but she’s tough on the inside. Emily grew up lonely, so she’s sensitive to everyone around her. She’ll never admit this, but her favorite person, outside of the four of us, soon to be five of us, is Laney. The two have parallel outlooks on life and Emily adores Laney for adoring our son, who will never get the attention Ellie commands. My cousin is a winner. Grab her while you can. A gem like her won’t stay free for long.”