First Love: A Single Dad Second Chance Romance

by Amy Brent

  I was pretty far out in the water, and my bungalow sat back way beyond the high tide point up the beach some, to avoid it being demolished during hurricane season. I squinted and pulled my hand up to my eyes, shielding the sun. The person was too far away, and I couldn’t see who it was at all. I shrugged, figuring it was one of the people from the group, though I thought they were all going sailing that morning. Maybe they were making one last-ditch attempt to drag me out there with them. I loved all kinds of adventure, but boats did not work for me. I would go if it were for scuba diving, but if it were to just go out on the water, I knew I would end up hurling into the great beyond, churning up the sharks or something. I preferred either land, air, or a surfboard, and that was plenty for me. Of course, they couldn’t understand that, so they offered an array of drugs for me to forget all about my motion sickness. I declined kindly.

  I paddled into shore and pulled my board out, unclipping my ankle cuff. I pulled the zipper down on my wetsuit, realizing how warm it had gotten already. I trudged up the beach a ways and stuck my board in the sand, dusting my hands off as I walked toward the person sitting down on the beach. As I drew closer, my heart shuddered, and I just started laughing. I couldn’t believe my eyes. it was Trevor, and he looked like he’d stopped at the most touristy store he could find on the way in. He was wearing a pineapple Hawaiian shirt, a pair of fresh board shorts, some flip-flops, and sunscreen that he hadn’t rubbed into his cheeks all of the way. It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen, and I was taken back by the fact that he was there, obviously looking for me.

  “Well,” I said, standing in front of him. “I can see you didn’t forget to bring your pasty white New York City skin with you. You might want to be careful. You’re reflecting the sun off your chest.”

  “I didn’t have time to hit the tanning beds.” He laughed.

  “You’re here,” I said, sitting down next to him and looking out at the ocean.

  “I’m here,” he said with a smile. “You look pretty awesome on that surfboard. I wasn’t sure if Emma was joking or not when she said you were out here all secluded with just your bungalow and your bathing suit. I have to say, though, I pictured more of a thatched roof beach hut than a cute little cabin on stilts.”

  “Oh, you know, since the Hawaiian’s just learned how to build, I brought my mainland voodoo out and built my house on stilts so I wouldn’t have to rebuild every year,” I said sarcastically. “It’s my home away from home. My little slice of heaven on the islands.”

  “It’s definitely beautiful here,” he said. “I’m glad I came.”

  “Why are you here?” I asked, looking over at him.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I wanted to get a pineapple,” he said.

  “The supermarket was all out?”

  “Yep.” He laughed. “No, to be honest, I couldn’t get you off of my mind. I have been completely distracted from the moment you left. Emma said there was no way to get ahold of you. I tried to hunt you down over the phone with a very scary sounding Hawaiian man at the local pub, but he wasn’t having it. So, here I am, finding you in person.”

  “You talked to Alika.” I laughed. “He’s my protector, which suits him since his name means guardian, and he is about three hundred and fifty pounds.”

  “Ahh, glad I didn’t go there in person.”

  “To be honest as well? I’ve thought about you a lot too,” I said. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Good,” he said, staring at me intently.

  “You want to come sit on the deck? I can grab us some beers,” I said.

  “Sure”

  He sat down in the chair under the umbrella, and I went inside, grabbing beers and slipping on a sundress over my bathing suit. I was nervous, which pretty much never happened to me. I went back out and sat down, handing him a beer. Immediately, he started to talk to me about his journey over there, and I felt really relaxed and comfortable. We talked all afternoon, laughing, snacking on fruit, and enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian sun. When dinnertime came around, I gave him a T-shirt to avoid being seen with the Hawaiian mess of a shirt, and we headed over to the local restaurant. We sat outside under the stars, our backs to everyone else, staring out over the ocean. We ordered a bunch of shrimp and local delicacies along with a batch of pina coladas.

  In the background, the locals were playing music and singing, and I breathed deeply, feeling like life couldn’t get much better at that point. It was the first time I had been on a date in Hawaii, and I had to say, it was all really romantic. The skies were clear, and the stars glistened brightly in the sky. You could hear the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore below, and the smell of coconut and flowers wafted through the air.

  “I can see why you’re so in love with this place,” he said. “It’s pretty much perfect.”

  “I know, right?” I said. “I have been in love with this place since I was a teenager. It’s like an escape, but it feels like coming home every time I’m here. It’s the only place I’ve been that’s constantly calling me back. I bought that bungalow four years ago and have never regretted the choice. I have had many beautiful and reflective times here. I don’t think I’ll ever give it up.”

  “I don’t blame you,” he said, paying the check and smiling at our waiter. “You ready?”

  “Yeah,” I sighed, standing up. “I have an early morning of surfing to procure tomorrow.”

  “Sounds so rough.” He laughed.

  We drove back to the house, and he walked me up to the door, holding my hand. Butterflies blew through my stomach as we walked, and I found myself not wanting to let go of that night. Everything was so perfect, and I hadn’t even seen it coming. It was the first time I’d chosen a man over being alone in Hawaii, and I was not regretting it at all. We stood at the front door smiling at each other until finally, he leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips.

  “I had a really amazing time,” he said. “I hope I can see you tomorrow.”

  I nodded my head and smiled.

  “Well, until then, I will be a gentleman and leave you here,” he said, bowing his head. “Have sweet dreams.”

  Surprised, I opened my mouth to stop him, but he was already walking down the stairs. I was left completely speechless, his manners and valor taking me by complete surprise. I walked to the back of the deck and looked down, watching him pull out of the driveway and turn toward Oahu. I didn’t know where he was staying or how to get ahold of him, but I knew after the last two times I had spent with him, he would definitely be back. I breathed deeply looking up at the stars and wondering what exactly I had gotten myself into. This guy had made the big gesture and gotten on a plane from New York and flown to Hawaii to find me. And then without even trying to get laid, he left, promising to see me the next day. That was not at all how I thought he would be, especially since I’d turned him down the first time I met him.

  I walked into the house and dropped my purse on the table, laughing to myself. Only in my world would something like this happen. Only in my head would I wonder if it was a good thing or a bad thing. I shook the questions out of my brain and decided to just hold on to that weightlessness I was feeling a little bit longer. I changed my clothes and got into bed, staring out the open windows. I could see the whitecaps of the waves hitting the shore below, and I felt completely and totally smitten. I had never had a man go out of his way for me like that before, and I never had a man who I felt as intensely about as he did me. I was on cloud nine, and there was no way I was going to let my feet touch the ground until morning. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, letting the sound of the crashing waves sing me into dream world.

  Chapter 6

  Trevor

  I wasn’t sure what time Caroline got up to go surfing, so I made sure I was awake and moving long before the sun breached the horizon. I went to the local markets that were set up everywhere, and I picked up bakery items, fruits, juices, champagne, and a ton of beautiful flowers. I shoved them all into my ca
r and headed over to her bungalow. When I got there, I knew I had to hurry since the sky was starting to lighten outside. Everything had turned out perfectly the night before, and I wanted to not skip a beat, catching her right when she woke up from her dreams. Part of me was afraid to lose even one moment of time with her there in that perfect place, unsure of how things would play out when we left.

  I carefully climbed the stairs to her balcony and set down the bags. I arranged all of the flowers on the railing and the floor of the deck, breathing in the deep floral scent that they put off. I pulled out all of the food and the plates I had bought from a small store on the way and set it up like it was catered. I placed some of the flowers on each plate and poured the juices into carafes. The only champagne flutes I could find were at the hotel, so I’d borrowed a couple and brought them over. I stuck the champagne on ice and stood back, proud of my accomplishment. I stuffed all of the bags back into my car and pulled on a button up shirt before walking to her door and knocking.

  I could hear her footsteps on the floor, and she laughed when she opened up. Before should say anything, I grabbed her hand and pulled her out onto the deck. I stood back and watched her as she walked around the table with a very surprised look on her face.

  “Wow.” She giggled. “This is amazing. You did good, sir.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, pulling out the chair for her and taking a seat on the other side. “I thought you might need a good meal before you go surfing.”

  “This is gonna sink me right to the bottom.” She laughed, pulling a piece of melon from the fruit bowl. “But I love it. Thank you.”

  “You’re crazy out there with that board,” I said. “I watched you yesterday, and you looked like you were completely calm. I don’t know if I could be that calm.”

  “You’ve never surfed before?”

  “No.” I laughed. “They frown on surfers in the Hudson.”

  “Not to mention you would probably die from the grossness out there.” She cringed.

  “Or grow a tail,” I replied.

  “Well,” she said, slapping her hands on the chair and standing up. “It’s time you learned how.”

  “What? Right now?”

  “What other time is there than right now?”

  I thought about it for a second and then shrugged my shoulders, figuring I wasn’t really going to be able to talk myself out of that one. We went down to the sand, and she pulled down another board and laid it on the beach next to hers. She went through a whole tutorial on how to paddle, how to pull up, and how to balance. It seemed easy enough on solid ground, but I knew it was going to be one hell of a show when I got out there on the water.

  “Come on. There’s no better way to learn than to just jump in,” she said, picking up her board.

  “All right, but if I drown, just make everyone think I did something noble.” I chuckled.

  “Your secret will be safe with me.”

  We paddled out to the first wave, and I did my best, but I fell before I could even get my knees on the board. I tried over and over again, getting the motivation to actually get up on that board. A larger wave was rolling in, and I paddled out. I put my palms down on the board and readied myself.

  “Door it,” she yelled, sitting on her board floating in the water.

  As soon as it was time, I popped up on my board and planted my feet down. I slowly stood to a crouching position and smiled big, hearing Caroline cheering in the background. I slowly turned the board and stuck my hands in the air in triumph as I rode toward the shore. As soon as I did that, though, my feet slipped right out from under me, and I plummeted right down into the water, washing up on the shore. I looked over at Caroline pulling her board up onto the beach, holding her stomach, and laughing hysterically. It was contagious, and before I knew it, I was laughing right along with her.

  She made her way over to me and gave me a double high five, tears streaming down her cheeks from laughing so hard. She put her arm over my shoulder, and we dragged the boards up the beach and stuck them in the sand underneath the bungalow. She turned to me and kissed me sweetly on the cheek.

  She laughed. “You did it.”

  “Kind of,” I responded.

  “Come on, let’s get changed.” She took my hand and pulled me up the stairs.

  I looked out over the ocean before going inside, noticing for the first time that we’d been out there all day. The sun was starting to go down, and the air was getting cooler. I followed her inside, and she handed me my clothes and a towel.

  “The guest bathroom is right over there,” she said with a wink.

  After I changed, I hung my bathing suit up on the deck to dry and walked out to the living room where she was standing with her hair wet and wild around her shoulders, a little pink sundress, and just a hint of gloss on her sun-kissed lips. I smiled and walked over, wrapping my arms around her and taking in the smell of suntan lotion and vanilla. I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers, pulling her close. Instantly I wanted her, so I ran my hands down her dress and cupped her ass. She smiled and pulled back.

  “We have somewhere to be, Romeo,” she said.

  “Where?” I replied, adjusting myself.

  She picked up her bag and slung the strap across her chest. “It’s a surprise. Come on.”

  I followed her out of the house and down the beach, holding her hand as we walked along. She was smiling, obviously excited about where we were going. When we turned the corner, I saw a big bonfire and lots of people laughing and dancing. A beautiful Hawaiian woman came jogging forward, wrapping her arms around Caroline.

  “Kekoa, this is my friend Trevor from New York City,” she said, introducing me.

  “Welcome,” she said, hugging me as well. “Caroline, you know how it goes. Enjoy yourselves.”

  “Kekoa and her family were my first friends here, and they have a luau every weekend when the sun starts to bring out the fish,” Caroline explained, pulling me over to the bonfire. “It’s why I came here this time. I would never miss the first luau.”

  We sat down next to the fire, and a young girl ran over, putting fresh floral leis around both of our necks. She kissed Caroline on the cheek and looked over at me, giggling as she ran away. I sat there and watched Caroline sitting next to the huge bonfire, the sparks swirling around her. She looked absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t help but continue to stare. She watched everyone dancing and laughing, greeting different people as they passed. I now understood exactly what she meant when she told me how magical she thought the islands were. She looked like a princess in a foreign but familiar land, and everyone was so sweet to her. Suddenly, there was a loud boom, and the men started to beat on the drums. I smiled, watching the men all gather at the front and begin to dance. Caroline jumped up and pulled me over to them, nodding at a large muscular guy covered in tattoos. He put his arm around me and showed me the steps, guiding me through the entire dance.

  When it was done, the crowd cheered, the first time for the men, and the second time when they all turned and clapped in my direction. I realized I was the only non-native up there and I felt really welcomed by everyone. I laughed, walking back over and sitting down next to Caroline.

  “You did good,” she said. “That was a dance for a plentiful year. You helped them pray for a beautiful, fruitful summer.”

  “Wow,” I said. “Thank you for doing that. It was pretty amazing.”

  “Dance with me,” she said as the music lightened in strength.

  “Again? You’re a dancing queen.” I laughed, taking her hand and standing up. “I would love nothing more.”

  “Thank you for being so good about all of this,” she said. “You fit right in with everyone.”

  “Minus my ghost-like appearance.” I chuckled.

  “You got some sun today,” she said, looking at my red arms. “Maybe a little sunscreen next time.”

  “I think that would be good.”

  She leaned forward and kissed me sweetly on t
he lips before laying her head on my shoulder. We danced closely to the beat of the drums, the stars twinkling brightly above us. I could hear the chatter and laughter as the others danced and played through the luau. It was more than I ever imagined my trip would bring, and I was pleasantly surprised. The feeling of having Caroline in my arms was more than anything I had dreamed of, but surrounded by the beautiful flowers, the warm breezes, and the people made it almost too good to be true. I could feel a flutter in my chest at the feeling of Caroline’s breath on my neck. She clenched her hands tightly to me as we swayed to the beat. I knew right then and there that I was falling in love with this girl and fast.

  Everything about my plan was spur of the moment, and I started to think that with a girl like Caroline, there was no way I could have actually planned the entire thing out. Just like the breakfast we’d left sitting on the deck while we had an impromptu surf lesson that lasted all day, Caroline was wild and untamable. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to tame her in the first place. She was too perfect the way she was. Her wild heart and free spirit were some of the things that drew me to her the most. When she cared about someone, she did it without reservation or fear, and I wondered what it was like to feel that way, to know what you wanted and to take it by the horns.