“I couldn’t agree more.” Boyd regarded her, as his taste buds were once again stimulated.
“Hope you brought your appetite with you?” she asked.
“Did I ever.” You make me hungry in ways I never saw coming.
“Good, because I may have gone a little overboard in making use of some of the items I picked up today.”
“I’ll make sure nothing goes to waste,” he promised, stifling his sexual urges for now while concentrating on his palate.
A few minutes later they were sitting at the dining table. Danica had put her best efforts into the meal, most of which she’d purchased at the farmers’ market. They feasted on honey glazed chicken, sweet corn and homemade biscuits.
“This is very good,” Boyd told her, chomping on the chicken.
“Glad you like it,” Danica said, taking a bite from her biscuit.
“I really like that someone’s finally making real use of this gourmet kitchen again,” he pointed out.
She cocked a brow. “Are you saying Ashlyn doesn’t cook?”
“Not unless you consider microwaving frozen food cooking,” Boyd said, chuckling.
“I don’t.” Danica laughed, although her own cooking skills were rarely put to the test since she hated going through all the work involved just for herself. Now, if Boyd were to remain part of her life for a long time, then she just might become a master chef.
“Neither do I.” He laughed with her. But Ashlyn’s cooking skills aside, his sister had taken very good care of the house and was an excellent hostess. Both would serve her well were she to ever move elsewhere or become someone’s wife and a mother.
Danica had those same traits, Boyd realized. She certainly seemed to have the right stuff to make an excellent wife and mother someday. Was this something she saw in her future?
Danica watched him eat, wondering what he was thinking. Perhaps the same thing that she was: how nice it was to enjoy a meal together and talk.
“What was it like growing up in this house?” she asked.
Boyd wiped his mouth. “It was great. I loved everything about it. We often did things together as a family, including meals, playing games, watching TV, singing songs or hanging out on the lanai. The memories are endless and lasting.”
“That’s nice.” She smiled. “So you sing, too?”
He grinned. “That was a long time ago. I suppose, though, that I can still hum a few notes every now and then.”
Danica thought she might put him to the test sometime as that could be fun. “I imagine you and Ashlyn could never see yourselves parting with the place?”
Boyd lifted a brow at the question. “Why, are you interested in buying it?”
Danica gave a tiny chuckle. “No, I think it’s a bit out of my price range.” Maybe quite a bit. “I was only curious, since you have your place and Ashlyn…well, you never know where she could end up.”
Does she know something I don’t? “You mean like Chicago?”
“Or anywhere else on the planet that she might choose to move to,” Danica said diplomatically.
He regarded her squarely. “Well, I would never say never. It would depend on what Ashlyn wanted to do and, of course, if she was willing to sell her half.” Had he tipped his hand that he might be willing to unload the property for the right price, if the opportunity presented itself? Did that give her the wrong impression that he didn’t still love the place?
“I see.” In reality she couldn’t imagine Ashlyn ever parting with such a gorgeous beachfront house, even if her interests lay elsewhere. Though Danica knew that, like her, Ashlyn’s profession allowed her to set up shop anywhere. At worst she could keep the house, or her half, as a vacation home. Danica cut off a piece of chicken and asked Boyd, “So which house do you like the best—this one or yours?”
He grinned and sipped his wine thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose I like them both equally for different reasons.”
“Good response,” she said.
“Which do you prefer?” he asked, curious.
Danica mulled over the question while tasting her wine. “Truthfully…I would have to say this one. Not to say that your house isn’t fabulous, as it is by any measure. But this place just seems, I don’t know, like one that I feel totally comfortable in, as if I truly am taking Ashlyn’s spot as the lady of the house.”
“Understandable,” he told her. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve stepped into my sister’s shoes quite admirably.” And in some ways, she was even more suited to the house—certainly as his lover.
Danica blushed. “Why, mahalo, sir.”
“A’ole pilikia,” Boyd told her, smiling. “That means no problem.”
“Are you ready for some strawberries and ice cream for dessert?”
“Bring it on,” he replied eagerly. Her cooking skills had certainly upped the level of their compatibility. It was something he didn’t take for granted, believing that having a beautiful, sexy, smart woman in his life who also knew what to do in the kitchen was a combination he could easily become accustomed to.
* * *
After the meal they sat out on the lanai under the stars, with the sounds of the ocean reminding Danica that she really was in Hawaii with the most gorgeous man in the world. He had his arm around her in a proprietary way that worked for her.
But she still wanted to know more about him and where he stood on certain things in life.
“If you could travel back in time for ten minutes, where would you go and why?” she posed to him.
“Wow, that’s deep,” Boyd said with a half grin.
“It is,” Danica had to admit. “If you need to think about it, that’s okay.”
He didn’t. “Actually I would go back and spend the time getting to know my mother as much as I could, given that she died before I got the chance to have a lasting impression of her.”
“That would be a wonderful way to make the most of your time-travel experience.” Danica had gotten to know her parents quite well before they’d passed away, and she was so happy to have such vivid and lasting memories. She knew they would always be with her spiritually no matter what twists and turns her life took. Just as a big piece of her heart would always be with them.
“How about you?” Boyd turned the tables on her.
“There are so many things I’d like to do with that ten minutes,” she told him. “Seeing my parents again before they passed would certainly be nice. There’s so much I’d want to say and so little time to do it. But if I had the chance to make good use of ten minutes in history, I think I’d like to go back to 1963 and be a part of that March on Washington while listening to Dr. King’s famous speech.”
“Very cool.” Boyd smiled, clearly impressed. “That would work for me, too, if I had a second ten minutes.”
“I’ll accept that.” She brushed against his shoulder. “Are you a Democrat or Republican?”
“I’m an Independent.”
“Good answer. So am I.” Danica angled her eyes up at him. “What religion are you?”
“Nondenominational.”
“But you do believe in God?”
“Absolutely,” he told her, believing that the Man upstairs must surely have played a role in sending this angel his way.
“Same here.”
“Good to know.” He hugged her a little tighter. “Ever thought about having children?”
“What woman hasn’t?” she countered.
“Not every woman wants to be a mother,” he noted.
“True, but we’ve all at least entertained the notion.” Danica rested her hand on his knee. “I’d love to be a mother someday, if I ever become a wife to a man who feels like being a daddy.”
“I’d like to be a father
at some point,” Boyd said before she could ask him. “My dad was a good role model. I think I could be one, too.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” And a good husband as well, assuming he was willing to marry again after having gone down that road before unsuccessfully.
“Basically I want the whole nine yards,” he told her frankly. “Love, marriage, kids, paradise, wherever that happens to be, and everything else that comes with the package.”
“I feel the same way.” Despite that—or maybe because of it—Danica strived to maintain a realistic perspective on the prospects for them and their future. That didn’t mean she couldn’t hope for the best, though.
She decided to switch subjects to something less taxing, but informative nonetheless. “So, are you right-handed or left-handed?” She had to admit that she wasn’t paying attention to which hand he’d used when eating, as she’d been more intrigued watching his sexy mouth.
“I’m a leftie,” Boyd said proudly, “as far as writing goes. But I do many other things with my right hand, such as play tennis or toss a football.”
“Interesting.” She paused. “Can you play an instrument?”
“I can play a little guitar. How about you?”
“Learned to play the flute in high school, but never followed up on it,” she said.
“Well, there goes our band,” Boyd quipped. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to make sweet music together.”
Danica rolled her eyes at him, reading into his thoughts. “You’ve got a one-track mind, mister.”
He laughed. “Just making an observation.”
“Yeah, right.” She felt a twinge of desire between her legs. “And just what are you observing?”
“You,” he teased. “And what a terrific couple we make.”
“That’s something we can definitely agree on.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“Thought so.” Boyd wrapped his other arm around Danica, enjoying the feel of holding her and knowing they were into each other in ways he was only beginning to fully appreciate.
* * *
The following afternoon Boyd drove to a café on Keawe Street to meet with his good friend Lowell Makani. He had been away on business in the Far East and just got back in town. Boyd had spoken with him briefly over the phone, but had decided to talk in person about his involvement with Danica. Boyd was eager to get Lowell’s take on her, as he trusted him to give an honest man-to-man assessment. He had little doubt that Lowell would be thoroughly impressed with her. How could he not be?
After parking, Boyd went inside. He spotted his Filipino friend already at the table, talking on the phone. By the time he walked up to him, Lowell had gotten off the phone and onto his feet. He was a couple of inches shorter and had choppy black hair.
“Pehea ’oe?” Lowell said, meaning, “How are you?”
“Maika’i no au,” Boyd responded, indicating he was fine. He shook his hand and gave Lowell a little hug. “How was the trip?”
“Kept me busy. Not much time for play.”
“But I’ll bet you found some time to play anyway,” Boyd said half-jokingly, knowing the man’s penchant for drinking and ladies.
Lowell laughed. “You know me too well, friend.”
They sat down. Boyd ordered a martini and Lowell a strawberry margarita after they settled on what to eat.
“Looks like a lot has gone down with you since I left,” Lowell remarked, sipping his drink.
“You could say that,” Boyd agreed. “At least in the romance department.”
“Tell me more.”
Boyd prefaced things by telling him about Ashlyn and Danica trading places. “I have to admit, I was totally against the idea. I thought it was crazy for Ashlyn to swap homes with someone she’s barely seen since college.”
“So what changed your mind about Danica?” Lowell asked with a grin. “Let me guess, once you got an up close and personal look at her, I’m sure all your doubts went flying right out the window.”
Boyd laughed. “Not quite as simple as that, though admittedly, she’s an absolute knockout.” He put the martini to his lips. “I think it’s more a case of putting aside my prejudgments and going with the flow in this arrangement between her and Ashlyn. Then the more I got to know Danica, the more I’ve grown comfortable with her and now I can see what Ashlyn has seen in her during their long friendship.”
“Wow!” Lowell chuckled. “All that in such a short time. She must be some special kind of lady.”
“She is,” Boyd admitted. “I really enjoy spending time with her.”
“Sounds to me like you’re really hooked. Never thought I’d live to see the day when a woman would come along and have you tied up in knots.”
Boyd blushed. “Guess it was long overdue for me.”
“I agree.” Lowell narrowed his eyes. “I take it she feels the same way?”
“As far as I know, yeah, she’s just as much into me.”
“Do you love her?” asked Lowell. “If not, it’s a damned good imitation of the word.”
Boyd studied the question. He hadn’t really processed the emotions in his mind, content with simply knowing that Danica made him want someone like never before. Was that love? Lust? Or something in between?
When the food came, he was still pondering the notion. “I’m not sure what I feel, other than a strong pull toward her and a desire to let this go in any direction it’s meant to.”
“I’ll let you get away with that response for now,” Lowell said dryly. “But I think we both know that you’ve got the fever and Danica’s responsible for it.”
“Agreed,” Boyd said, not denying that she’d gotten to him and made him happy, that he was in the right place at the right time when she came along. “The problem is, she’s only going to be around for a couple more weeks or so, and I’m not sure where things will go from there.”
Lowell took a bite of his meal. “That’s what planes are for,” he said. “If she’s truly the one, that shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
“Point well taken.” Boyd imagined how much fun it could be to fly back and forth between Chicago and Hilo, making sure each and every moment counted for something. “We’ll see what happens…”
“Of course nothing says you can’t talk her into moving here,” Lowell suggested. “Or talk yourself into giving life a try in Chicago, assuming this is a relationship you don’t want to do without.”
“True.” Boyd hadn’t quite looked that far ahead. Though Danica had hinted she would be willing to relocate if worth her while, he wasn’t sure it was his place to ask her to give up the life she’d made for herself in Chicago. At least not yet. Not till they saw where this relationship was going.
As for his leaving Hawaii, he’d never believed there weren’t any other places for him to set up shop. If things with Danica were indeed headed toward love, he would seriously entertain any possibilities for keeping that alive and well.
“So when do I get to meet the lady?” Lowell asked, looking at him intently across the table.
“How about tomorrow?” Boyd suggested, dabbing a napkin to his mouth.
“Works for me.”
“Good. I know you’ll like her. Just don’t like her too much.”
Lowell laughed. “Don’t worry. We agreed a long time ago that each other’s ladies were off-limits. But if she has some hot single friends who are looking to come and visit, I’ll be happy to be the tour guide.”
“I’ll bet you would.” Boyd flashed a smile. From what he understood, Danica did have some single gal pals in Chicago, any of whom might be in the market for some action in Hawaii, especially if Danica stuck around. “Right now let’s just see if things between me and Danica elevate to the next level, whatever that happe
ns to be.”
Lowell raised his glass. “Pomaika’i,” he said, meaning “Good luck.”
Boyd brought his glass up and nodded. “Mahalo nui loa,” he replied, thanking his friend very much. He couldn’t wait to see if his luck held out and more fire would pass between him and Danica.
* * *
Danica took in the sights as they drove in Blair’s Prius sedan down Ali’i Drive along the ocean through Kailua-Kona, taking note of the Kailua Pier, the Historic Kona Inn and Hawaii’s first Christian church, Mokuaikaua Church, built in 1820.
“This is nice,” she commented as a pleasant breeze from the open window struck her face.
“I’m sure you’re familiar with Kona coffee,” Blair remarked. “Well, it’s cultivated right here on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mount Hualalai in the South and North Kona Districts.”
“That’s wonderful,” Danica said. “I’ll have to be sure to bring some back with me.”
“It’s a must for coffee drinkers.”
Danica was not as big on coffee as she was green tea, but her friends were. And what better way to impress them?
After taking a right on Manukai Street, they arrived at their destination in Keauhou Bay.
“Get ready for a show,” Blair promised. “And fabulous cuisine.”
“I can’t wait,” Danica conceded.
Upon being greeted with fresh flower leis, they sipped mai tais amidst swaying palm trees on the southern shores of Keauhou. Danica watched with fascination as the pig roasted underground was unearthed. Then she dined with Blair on kalua pork, lomi lomi salmon, sweet potato salad and steamed white rice, and then sampled the pineapple upside-down cake for dessert.
“I’m definitely going to have to work this off,” Danica said, feeling as though she had gone overboard with the delicious food and tasty drinks.
“We both will,” Blair said. “But how often do you get to enjoy such a varied spread?”
“Hardly ever,” she admitted.
“Same here. Though I live here, my regular diet is pretty basic and nonfattening.”
Danica smiled. “I can see that.”
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