True Abandon

by Jeannine Colette

  Eric hangs up his phone, and I stifle a grin.

  “You just called him sir.”

  He dramatically hangs his head low and tilts his eyes up. “Guilty.”

  My shoulders shake as I laugh. “You better call him back in five minutes.”

  Eric looks at his phone and back to me. “I have a lot of work to do today. Thank you for showing me around.”

  “The event coordinator will be touching base with you to go over any final plans and changes. Though, if you could refrain from telling her the change in cocktail hour venue was my idea, I’d appreciate it. I don’t want to overstep.”

  His hands are up in the air. There’s a divot in his chin that appears when he grins. “You have my word. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I lower the binder down at arms-length and nod my head. “Seven.”

  When Eric leaves, I place a hand on my waist and let out a long breath.

  I head for the event coordinator’s office to return the binder, and the secretary looks none too happy with me as I hand it over. When I make my way back to the lobby, I log onto my computer and check my upcoming guest list.

  I drum my fingers on the counter as I look at the requests they’ve made and know how easily I can fill them. It’s all standard stuff—couples massage, dinner reservations, Jeep Wrangler rental, dawn bike rides, Jurassic Park helicopter tours, waterfall adventures, private chef, rose petals on the bed, drawn baths at night …I can arrange this in my sleep. I shoot off a dozen quick emails and find my queue empty, and my work complete.

  Now that Jackson has decided not to consume my every waking second, and Eric is the world’s easiest guest, I’m left with absolutely nothing to do.

  I sign out and walk toward the pool. It’s packed with nearly every chair occupied by a lounging vacationer. There’s live music playing as a man walks around with a drum, followed by a dancer.

  “Trish!” The sound of my name has me looking in the direction of the woman who called it.

  I smile at the sight of Shayna Waimer. “Hi, Mrs. Waimer. Is there anything I can help you with today?”

  She pushes my arm. “Call me Shay. And, yes, you can. We’ve planned our wedding ceremony for Saturday. It’s our last night here so we thought it would be a perfect way to end the honeymoon. We’d just love if you came.”

  “I’d love to, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to. I have guests to accommodate.”

  “That’s a shame. Jackson will be playing the guitar for us, and the bartender, Issac—”

  “Isaiah?” I correct her.

  “Yes, him. He’s going to officiate. It’s gonna be beautiful. On a cliff, looking out into the ocean…”

  “Wearing matching leis,” I add, and her eyes light up.

  “I love that idea! Can I get a lei crown?” Her hands are on top of her head as if there is an actual crown of flowers sitting there.

  “Yes. We can arrange that. And, I will try to be there, but no promises.”

  Her hands clap together then point to the tiki bar. “I’m gonna get myself another dirty banana. You want anything?”

  I shake my head. “On the job.”

  She saunters off, and I continue to meander, looking around at the guests. Not really for anyone in particular. I’m just…looking.

  The walking entertainment has now moved to the opposite side the deck, and I can hear the whistling tune through the loudspeakers. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is on. Around here, it plays at least twice a day.

  The air is pungent with sunblock and pineapple. The loud splash of the waterfall hitting the surface, coupled with the jumps and dives of guests makes the atmosphere loud and boisterous. A group of teenagers walk by me on their way to the beach, followed by a salamander looking for cover.

  Birds of Paradise is bustling with lunch customers. Couples line the open-air windows as they share conversations. I peek into the restaurant as I make my way toward the beach where a volleyball game is underway.

  In the corner of the court, serving the ball is Jax.

  He’s wearing board shorts and a t-shirt, which I assume is to protect his back against another day in the sun. His hair flies wildly from side to side as he serves and plays the set along with another man on his team. They get the point and give a double high five. It’s so Top Gun, it’s kinda sexy.

  His partner serves again. Jax goes into pure athlete mode, maneuvering around the court to keep the ball from touching the ground. I can’t help but notice the way his back muscles bend and flex with each movement. His forearms are corded with strength as they glisten in the sun.

  His head swivels in my direction, and I give a little wave. No sooner does his face ignites in a magnificent, pure-white smile does the ball come flying from over the net and smacks him upside the head.

  “That’s game!” someone on the other team shouts.

  Jax rubs his head and looks at the net in bewilderment. He turns to apologize to his partner, another tourist I assume, who just shrugs it off and gives him a knuckle pound. When he glances back up at me, I shrug.

  “Hey,” he says as he approaches me.

  “You want some ice for that?” I thumb toward the Birds of Paradise restaurant.

  “No, I’m fine. You look nice today.”

  I smooth out the skirt of my paisley dress even though it’s wrinkle free. “Thanks. I see you got back okay last night.”

  He runs his hand through his hair to position it in place. “Yeah, Uber works in all fifty of the states. Who knew?”

  “Me, I knew.” I try not to roll my eyes at myself for the lame joke. “You look like you’re having fun. I see you found a friend to play with.”

  Jax’s volleyball partner takes a seat on a lounger by the pool next to a woman.

  “I was going to have you come and play as a requirement of our agreement, but then I remembered the deal’s off which is for the best because contact sports never was your thing.”

  “I can play sports,” I defend and then realize it’s pointless. “Okay, fine. I suck at most sports. But you’d be pleasantly surprised to learn I’ve played softball a few times. We had a company team at my last job. I was decent.”

  “That I would’ve loved to see.”

  “Next time I’m sliding around the diamond, I’ll invite you.”

  “I’ll be there,” he confirms, and we fall into a moment of silence.

  “I was thinking—” he says at the same moment I throw out, “I wanted to ask you—“

  “You first.” I offer him an awkward smile.

  “Do you have plans tonight?”

  “That’s what I was going to run by you. I’d like to head out early. I’m having dinner with Auli’i, Lani’s Tutu.”

  He waggles his brows. “Hula lesson?”

  “No, not tonight. She’s meeting Lani’s boyfriend. I’ll be there for moral support.

  He raises his pierced brow. “The grandmother needs moral support?”

  “Lani’s nervous. She’s never brought a boy home before.”

  “That guy Jason was pretty cool.”

  “Of course you think so. He was practically drooling all over you.”

  With a wicked grin, he leans forward. “Are you telling me because I can keep you here against your will?”

  “Pretty much. Shoot. I should have asked my other guest if he needed anything tonight.”

  His brows rise. “Did your dinner invitation come with a plus one?”

  I stammer slightly at his question. “You want to go to dinner at Lani’s grandma’s house?”

  “I don’t have any other plans. And, yeah, I’d like to spend time with you.”

  I place my hands in a praying position and point at him. “So this is like official personal concierge business?”

  He laughs. “Do I need to say it out loud? Yes, Genie, I wish to visit a local’s house for dinner with you tonight.”

  I cross my arms and bow my head like the girl form I Dream of Jeannie. “Your wish is granted.”

>   …

  “Thank God, you’re here!” Lani opens the front door before we even knock. She grabs my shirt and pulls me over the threshold before she realizes Jax is behind me. “You’re here, too? This is great. She’ll be so flummoxed by your tattoos, you’ll make Jason look like a dream.”

  “Hi to you too, Lani.” Jax slides off his shoes, and we leave them outside the front door.

  She grabs our hands and tugs us into the living room where Jason waits. The men shake hands. Compared to Jason and his flawless, dark skin and perfectly combed hair that makes him look like a boy scout, Jax seems roguish. His piercing accentuates the mischievous quirk of his brow whenever he looks at something in question—like Jason wearing a tie on a ninety-degree day. In dark jeans and a t-shirt, Jax looks like the bad boy you don’t want to bring home to meet your grandma—thankfully, she’s not my grandma.

  He looks around the room at the many photos of Auli’i dancing in shows or standing next to celebrities and Presidents.

  “Is that Bob Hope?” he asks when his eye catches a black and white among the floor to ceiling gallery.

  In the photo, a man stands with two dancers wearing strapless tops, full skirts, and bare feet. The large flowers in their long, dark hair match the leis around their necks.

  “Nineteen-forty-two. He chose Pearl Harbor to perform the first USO.” Auli’i walks in from the kitchen, sliding on her reading glasses that hang from a small chain. She takes the space next to Jax and looks at the photograph with him. “He was a true gentleman. Performed for the troops for over sixty years.” She points to one of the women in the photo. “That’s my mother. She danced with him for twenty years, and then it was my turn.”

  Auli’i walks a few spots down and finds another picture. In this one, Bob Hope is much older. His pants sit higher on his waist, but his smile is just as charismatic.

  “That’s me,” she says with a smile.

  I lean in behind Jax and take a look at the image. Auli’i was stunning in her youth. Even today, for a woman in her seventies, she has a timeless beauty. Her delicate features and perky little nose are the same as Lani’s.

  “Auli’i, this is Jackson,” I introduce the two.

  “Welcome to my home. Is this for me?” she motions toward the box of chocolates Jax is clutching in his hands.

  He hands her the box. “Yes. It was that or a shot glass from the hotel gift shop.”

  She looks up at him. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”

  “I looked up Hawaiian customs, and it said never go to someone’s house empty handed.” He puts his hands in his pockets and leans down to be closer to her height. “That and never walk into a home with your shoes on. I didn’t know if I should bring slippers. It said that’s a thing here, too.”

  Lani’s giggles echoes throughout the room.

  Even Auli’i finds herself totally charmed by Jax’s awkwardness. “You did good. Come, we’ll eat outside.”

  Jax takes her offered arm and escorts her outside. I’m about to follow when Jason steps beside me. “Genius idea. Now the pressure’s off me.”

  I laugh and follow everyone out to the backyard.

  Auli’i still has Jax’s ear. “Trish says you’re staying in the Pele Suite at the hotel. How are your accommodations?”

  “Couldn’t ask for better.” He casts a brief glance my way. My face reddens at the fact he knows I told Auli’i all about him.

  “Did you ever hear the story of the Goddess Pele and the lovers Lehua and Ohi’a?” she asks as they descend down the stairs.

  He shakes his head and follows her toward a path of trees on the side of her walkway.

  “A long time ago, in the beginning days of Hawaii, a dance was taking place in a small village. Ohi’a was a handsome gentleman, known for his athletic prowess. He was sitting around the bonfire when a beautiful woman caught his eye. Her name was Lehua. When their eyes met across the fire, they both froze, unable to take their gazes off each other. Ohi’a courted Lehua with a passion that quickly won her heart.”

  Auli’i continues, “Soon after, they married, and Ohi’a built his bride a home. For several months, they lived in bliss until, one day, Pele was walking through the forest and spotted the handsome Ohi’a. She disguised herself as a beautiful woman and approached him. Ohi’a ignored her advances and pledged his undying love to Lehua, but Pele was furious. She presented herself as the Goddess Pele and tried to take him as her own. Ohi’a refused. He was forever in love with Lehua.”

  Auli’i placed her hand on the trunk of a tree as if feeling its heartbeat. “The quick-tempered Pele stuck Ohi’a and turned him into a twisted, ugly tree in revenge for denying her advances. Lehua saw her husband become transformed and begged the goddess to change him back. When Pele refused, Lehua fell to her knees and wept at the base of the tree.

  “The other gods tried to change Ohi’a back, but the curse was too strong. So, they changed Lehua into a beautiful red flower and placed her at the top of the Ohi’a tree so the two lovers would never be apart.”

  Auli’i runs her hand along the branch of the Ohi’a tree and shows him the beautiful, red blossoms blowing among the branches.

  Jax reaches his hand out to touch, but she gently nudges him back and explains, “You must never pick a Lehua blossom from the Ohi’a tree. For as long as they stay, the sun will shine. If a flower is picked, rain will fall for the two lovers cannot bear to be apart.”

  Jax’s eyes glow with the vibrant color of the flower sitting on the twisted vines of the tree. “I have never heard something so tragic and yet so beautiful.” He looks down to Auli’i.

  “Trees are living things. Just as much a part of the earth as you and I,” she says. Her hand clutches his. “Have you ever loved someone so much you would rather be a tree than forsake them?”

  It must be because I’m standing here, staring at him so intently that I see the brief flick in his gaze away from the trees.

  “Yes,” he says. “I have.”

  Auli’i squeezes his hands and gives him a glassy-eyed gaze. There’s a moment passing between them—a knowing of truths and a sense of acceptance by two people who met just moments ago.

  I walk over to the dinner table where Auli’i has set us to dine. Lani and Jason are putting the food out as I approach.

  “Let’s eat!” she exclaims.

  …

  Dinner passes quickly. That’s what happens when you’re surrounded by good friends and great conversation. I’m currently answering Jason’s question about some of the worst guest experiences I’ve encountered at the hotel. Since Auli’i is at the table, I try to keep them as tame as possible.

  “I run up to Maui suite and into the bathroom where she’s waiting in a tub filled with bubbles and a loofah in her hand. She holds it up in the air and says, “Can you get my back?” I try to use the pop star’s British accent when I tell the story.

  “Chrysalis, the pop star, called you up to her room to wash her back? Doesn’t she have people for that?” Jason asks in excited disbelief.

  I continue with my hands on the table as I lean forward. “She had a crazy entourage, but she clearly thought personal concierge service meant something else because after that she had me take her dirty underwear with me to have them hand washed in lavender leaves and Ivory soap.”

  “Did you do it?” Jason asks.

  I hang my head in shame. “Yes.”

  Lani puts her arm around Jason. “Trish is unable to say no—ever. Seriously. Ask her to do anything and she will. She’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met.”

  I can’t control my eye roll. “That’s a bit far-fetched.”

  Lani points at me from across the table, her arm of bangles jangling in the air. “What about when Isaiah asked you to tutor his little sister because she didn’t understand algebra, or when Benji wanted you to make a production quality video of his fire tossing routine to send to America’s Got Talent or when Kal needed someone to cover his shift when his mom was s
ick so you offered, on your day off, to play waitress?”

  With my glass in my hand, I reply, “Helping his sister study algebra was far from a sacrifice.”

  She sashays her arm in the air. “It is when you spend the three hours prior watching YouTube videos to relearn everything there is to know about high school algebra.”

  I open my mouth to argue. My chin juts out as I try to think of a retort, but I don’t have anything witty to offer. “You totally would have done it, too.”

  Jax stares at the lantern. The flame burns brightly, creating an amber wave of color across the table. “She traveled in the middle of a hurricane to sit by my side in the hospital—stayed with me all night. It was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  He’s sitting next to me, and his knee grazes the side of my leg. The simple feel of a jean-clad leg against my skin feels more intimate than it should.

  “What was Trish like in high school?” Lani inquires, and I shoot her a curious look, but she waves me off. “Oh, come one, everyone knows you two dated. Cat’s out of the bag.” She places her chin in her open palms and looks to Jax with keen attention.

  He looks over at Auli’i and then to me before settling into his seat. A look of nostalgia casts over his face. “Trish was feisty.” He grins to himself. “She had a passion to try everything—nothing scared her. Our school had a very competitive cheer team. Trish was determined to make it, but she couldn’t tumble, so she went to the gym every day for a month and practiced on a blue mat.”

  “Did you make the team?” Lani asks.

  “Nope. I got beat out by Sabrina James who did five back handsprings. I think that girl was on steroids,” I joke. “It was for the best anyway. I was tiny, and they would have wanted me to go toward the top of the pyramid, and I couldn’t have done that.”

  Lani and Jason look confused, so Jax explains, “She’s afraid of heights.”

  “How do you fly?” Lani asks.

  “With a stiff drink in my hand.”

  Jax continues, “Did you know she was the editor of the school paper? She was the smartest girl in our school, so that wasn’t a surprise. She even started a daily news broadcast that was aired every morning at the top of first period. It was called “Wyndham High School Morning News.”