by Jayne Rylon
“Hang on…” Tosin interrupted her rambling as he realized where she was going. “You’re saying you quoted Archer less than you would otherwise because you don’t have travel expenses and time invested in unloading it?”
“Exactly.” Kahori beamed. He blinked, as if her smile dazzled him far more than the jewels surrounding them did. “In one of those locations, the price would have been double.”
Miguel slapped Archer on the back. “You’d better pony up. Don’t want Waverly to think you cheaped out on her.”
Kahori laughed.
Until she figured out that they weren’t joking.
Archer held his card out to her in a flash. “Charge me for the full thirty-thousand, please.”
She gawked, her stare winging between the three men as if they were about to spring some kind of trap.
Tosin intervened. “Trust me. He can afford it. Go ahead, Kahori.”
The sound of her name rolling off his lips in his European accent was the best bonus she’d ever received. She hoped he couldn’t see her pebbling nipples given the way she’d tied her pareu that morning, mimicking a strapless sundress.
“You’re sure?” she asked Archer one final time.
“Absolutely.” He waved toward the register. “Hurry before someone else comes along and swipes it out from under me.”
Not likely. This single sale would be her biggest ever. It would cover her modest living expenses for several years. He was handing her what amounted to a fortune for some of her neighbors, who still practiced—and enjoyed—subsistence living. Though she was starting to get the feeling it was a drop in the bucket to these guys.
When the transaction was complete and Archer laid the pen next to his fresh signature on the receipt, she reached out and shook his hand. “Thank you so much. What size would you like the ring to be when you pick it up next week?”
Archer laughed. “I tried to get a few stealth measurements off other ones she has. I was going to go with a five anyway. Banks, a friend of ours, keeps rambling about fate lately. I’m starting to believe that old bastard might be on to something.”
If that was true, did it mean she was destined to exist in solitude?
Was that what she’d learned on her disastrous voyage away from home? That she didn’t belong anywhere else but here? Alone?
Kahori refused to let those shadows darken her mood. Not today, bad memories. Not today.
Before she could derail her own happiness, Miguel reminded her about the earrings he wanted as well. She wrapped them in pretty paper and a box, thinking about how on any other day it would have been a major sale. While she did that, Tosin pointed to the bracelets he’d noticed before.
“I can’t be left out. How much for the masculine version of the leather, coral, and shell bracelet? This one, way in the back.” He lifted his chin at his friends. “Unlike these guys, I’m single. Selfish, too. I want some of your work for myself.”
“Oh.” Kahori paused, trying to find a tactful way to decline. “I’d prefer not to separate the his-and-her set. They’re carved from the same components. See how they fit together? It’s actually my favorite thing I’ve ever made, though obviously not the finest.”
Archer had clearly snagged that object for himself.
Kahori opened the back of the case and laid the bracelets beside each other. Tosin watched carefully as the organic curves tucked into each other and made a single shape when connected, sort of like a best friend charm girls gave each other.
“You’re right. They belong together.” He smiled at her, close enough as they leaned over the counter together that she could detect the flecks of silver mixed into his irises. Tosin inspired all sorts of ideas for creations in her mind. She wished she had a sketchbook right then. “I’ll take them both, please.”
Kahori trailed her finger over the familiar length of the bracelets in a loving goodbye before she packaged them as well. The day was easily the best in the history of her shop. And she had these three guys to thank for it.
When she handed Tosin the package, their fingers brushed. She sucked in her breath and tried not to drop the bag when he curled his hand around hers.
Tosin repaid her unintentional compliment. “I’m not going to lie. I expected to be bored out of my mind when Archie dragged us out shopping this afternoon. But you’ve made the experience extremely enjoyable.”
“Thank you.” She tried not to stammer when hit with the full blast of his charm. “I’m just doing what I love. Making unique, wearable art out of the beautiful things around me.”
Way to sound like a commercial, Kahori.
“And doing it well. Since you seem to be a fan of uniqueness, and I’m willing to bet you’ve never met a person named Tosin before, maybe you should let me buy you dinner to celebrate today’s success?” He rubbed his thumb lightly over her knuckles.
She laughed, wishing she could say yes. Desperate to keep from doing something foolish, she latched onto the obvious excuse. “Sorry, I really have to get back to the market. Hemi is probably losing his mind by now. He hates using the register app on his smartphone. Or technology in general, really. Or talking to strangers. And the daily commuter flight to Aitutatki leaves right after we pack up.”
“Too bad.” He released her hand by degrees, letting their fingers glide over each other almost reluctantly as he let her go.
Kahori sighed, deflating a little as the absence of the contact left her feeling hollow.
Instead of leaving it at that, Tosin tried once more, flattering her with his persistence. “Well then, how about when we pick up the ring in Aitutaki?”
“I’ll think about it.” She smiled softly then turned away to hand Archer her contact information.
When they’d made tentative plans for his pick up and exchanged thank-yous, she leaned against the doorframe. Free to stare, she greedily eyed Tosin until he disappeared around a corner, admiring the way he moved—sure and smooth. As much as she would like to learn more about the handsome stranger, she knew there was no way she’d accept his invitation.
Hopefully he’d forget all about it, and her, by the time he visited her hometown.
She should have realized he wouldn’t.
Four
“Dude, from the amount of pacing and primping you’ve been doing this morning, I’d almost think you were the one picking up an engagement ring today,” Miguel grumbled at Tosin. “Sit your ass down. You’re making me jumpy.”
Archer, on the other hand, relaxed on a lounger beside Banks. The older guy patted Archer’s shoulder and smiled. “I’ve waited a long time to see your ring on Waverly’s finger. You did well, kid.”
“Guys, she hasn’t said yes yet.” Archer did seem to tense then. Not only because he was peering around to make sure his girlfriend didn’t hear their conversation and blow his cover, either.
Miguel, Tosin, and Banks only cracked up.
“What’s so funny?” Captain Alex asked as he joined them on the deck.
“Archie’s worried Waverly might turn down his proposal.” Banks shook his head ruefully.
“Don’t be an idiot, boss.” Captain Alex laughed too. “That woman loves you more than I love this ship. And that’s a hell of a lot.” Then he turned to Miguel and said, “So…are you really going to let him show you up like that?”
“What do you mean?” the divemaster asked, crossing his arms. They were competitive if nothing else.
“He wants to know when you’re going to man up and commit to Sabine.” Tosin enjoyed turning the tables on his friend. Take that, asshole.
Miguel blinked. “I—uh—I mean, you know, I already am committed. At least I have a girlfriend, unlike you. It’s just that this doesn’t seem like a good time. She’s completely engrossed in her study and has so many other more important things going on right now. Or at least that’s what I figured. Am I messing this all up again?”
Now the guys laughed at him. It was fun to see him squirm.
Except Banks let him
off the hook. “You know what’s best for the pair of you. It’s clear that you love her. Don’t rush if you’re not ready. Either of you. Plus, Marta will be visiting soon—”
“Don’t you know the exact number of hours until she touches down with the next batch of guests?” Tosin teased. No one was exempt from their ribbing around here. Banks had shown definite interest in Miguel’s girlfriend’s quasi-mom. At this point it was clear the woman was visiting to see two people, not just one.
“One hundred and twenty seven,” Banks confirmed with a wink. “Anyway, since she’s the closest thing to family Sabine has left, I’d recommend you do the gentlemanly thing and speak to her about it first while she’s onboard if you think it’s something you might pursue down the road.”
“If you let Marta out of your cabin, you mean?” Captain Alex joked this time.
“Precisely.” Banks flashed a sinful grin that proved beneath his proper exterior he had a wicked streak at least as wide as any of the divemasters’.
Poor Marta wasn’t going to know what hit her. Or maybe she already had a clue since she and Banks had been videochatting—or exchanging emails when the connection speed didn’t permit screen-to-screen conversations—pretty much every night for the past six months or so.
Miguel swallowed hard. “I’ll talk to Kahori about sketching something up while we’re there. I don’t have to give it to Sabine until the time is right. Right?”
Captain Alex slapped him on the back. “Smarter every day. Anyway, I came out here to tell you lazy fools we’ll be anchored and ready to go ashore in about ten minutes. I’d better see to that.”
Tosin could make out Maunga Pu, the highest point on Aitutaki, barely four hundred feet above sea level. They really were close. If it wouldn’t have taken him longer to swim than to wait for Captain Alex to park the Divemaster, he would have gladly launched himself over the rail and torpedoed toward the crystalline beaches along the shore.
It had only been a few days since his run in with Kahori, but he hadn’t been able to think of much else beside her smile. And the things he’d like to do to her to guarantee he’d see more of it. Of her in general.
In addition to their appointment with her, the guys had a busy day planned. They’d set up a meeting with the village council in Aruntanga, the main town on the island, to pitch a grow dome for the medicinal algae Sabine and Miguel had discovered, which gave every indication it would be the central component in a cure for cancer that could eliminate deaths from the disease in their lifetime.
The Banks Foundation would fund the initiative and provide jobs along with income to any residents willing to work on the project. They could drastically improve the entire economy of the Cook Islands if the residents would allow it. Tourism, offshore banking, pearls, and fish exports lumped together couldn’t do as much for them as involvement in the biomedical industry could.
To help prove they had only the best of intentions, they’d also arranged to sponsor an “island night”, which Tosin understood was the Cook Islands’ equivalent of a Hawaiian luau. There was only one woman on the entire island he would beg to accompany him to the celebration of local culture, complete with traditional music, dancing, and a literal boatload of food.
He would gladly beg if it came to that.
The first thing he’d done when they’d gotten back to the Divemaster after their shopping trip earlier in the week was steal the magazine Archer had discovered Kahori in. Tosin may or may not have clipped out the story and stashed it in his nightstand drawer after reading it a dozen times.
The interview about her commitment to her art and her connection to nature’s beauty had only made him want to find out more about her. They had a lot in common. A passion for ocean conservation, for one. Diving, for another.
Kahori had named SCUBA as her favorite recreational activity.
Only really fantastic sex surpassed diving in Tosin’s estimation.
He would happily enjoy some of both with her. If she’d only give him a shot. The Divemaster could be in the area for a while if the village council gave them the green light. He was looking forward to spending as much of that time as possible with Kahori.
Would she be down with that?
It seemed like at least as long as it had taken them to cross the Pacific, but was really probably less than an hour, before Tosin strode toward Kahori’s main workshop, located in her house. He tried not to crush the bouquet he’d bought from a vendor at the dock as he kept up with Archer’s absurd pace.
“You two are killing me,” Miguel laughed, not at all winded but highly amused at their eagerness.
Neither Tosin nor Archer gave a shit. They were men on missions.
Archer consulted the crude map someone had drawn for him. There were no street names or house numbers to reference. They’d followed more basic directions, turning at the yellow cottage then following the cracked stone pathway for about a quarter of a mile when a stucco bungalow with a thatched palm roof came into view. Sea glass and shells dangled from ribbons, making the entire porch sparkle. They also acted as a privacy screen that still allowed some light to pass through. Between the strands, Tosin spied an underwater mural, which covered the back wall of the outdoor space, setting him immediately at ease.
He didn’t need a GPS to know this was where Kahori lived and worked.
Two men sat on a bench beside the front door as if guarding the home. From them?
Tosin tried to put them at ease when he recognized the younger of the pair. “Hey there, Hemi. How’s it going?”
The guy only grunted in response. An older, tanner, grumpier version of the dude crossed his arms over a massive chest that did his Pacific Islander ancestors proud. Legit tribal tattoos covered a portion of his face in an inked mask. More designs covered his right shoulder and half of his torso. Intricately carved bone earrings pierced his lobes. Fierce and proud, he looked like he could rip someone in half with his bare hands if he chose.
“We’re here to pick up a ring from Kahori.” Archer tried to be civil, too.
“Ms. Akama, my daughter, will be with you soon. You’re early.”
Tosin noticed the man didn’t offer them his name or a seat for that matter. Though he did glare at the flowers Tosin now attempted to shield behind his body. Miguel disguised his chuckle with a cough.
A solid five awkward minutes passed before Kahori appeared at the door. “Pāpā, when they get here, show them to my studio?”
Tosin cleared his throat and she jumped a little. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were here. I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“Not at all.” Miguel shrugged, as if they’d spent the time with her relatives in engaging conversation instead of a staring match.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Akama.” Tosin figured it couldn’t hurt to be nice. Maybe later his kindness would ensure he’d simply receive a stern lecture for ogling the man’s daughter instead of the ass-kicking he probably deserved for the things he’d like to do with her.
Definitely not dad-approved activities.
“Sorry. He’s not used to outsiders.” Kahori winced at the term, probably the most polite way of putting it she could. “Okay, that’s not quite true. My uncle owns the resort on the lagoon. Pāpā chooses to keep to himself and the people he grew up with instead of expanding his horizons.”
“No one knows better than me that you can’t dictate how your family acts.” Archer attempted to put her at ease. “Don’t sweat it.”
Maybe things here were going to be more difficult for Sabine and her scientific crew than they’d anticipated. If too many of the residents felt like Kahori’s dad, they might not be setting up shop here after all.
Miguel poked Tosin between the shoulders, hard.
When Tosin snapped out of his thoughts, he realized Kahori was staring at him and the flowers he clutched. “Hello again. These are for you.”
He held them out to her and watched her eyes grow wide, as if no one had ever given her a
bouquet before.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She treated him to her full-on smile as she accepted them then spun to put them in one of the pretty glass jars that decorated the her windowsill before filling it with water.
Kahori leaned in and drew a deep breath, savoring their fragrance before lifting her gaze to his. When Miguel shuffled in the corner, the spell broke. She set the flowers down then wiped her hands on her pareu, which was tied in a halter-style today.
The vibrant colors and conforming fabric highlighted her killer body.
“Sorry. My studio is this way. Come. I can’t wait for you to see the ring in person.” She spoke to Archer then, as if ashamed for taking a moment for herself before conducting business. Maybe tonight, at the festival, she’d be more relaxed.
Tosin could stand to wait a little longer to have her to himself.
She was interested, he could tell. The rest he could figure out.
Soon any thoughts beside praise for her craftsmanship flew out of his brain. He studied her workspace—along with the jewelry in progress on every flat surface—before taking a look at Waverly’s ring.
Holy hell. Miguel was screwed. Tosin couldn’t imagine the guy coming up with something equally impressive for Sabine, though several of Kahori’s other creations also blew him away.
“Thank you again.” Archer practically groveled at her feet as they collected the box and prepared to leave. “I can’t wait to introduce you to Waverly tonight. It’s going to be hard to pretend like we don’t already know you, though. I hate lying. Especially to her.”
“I think it’s okay in these circumstances,” Kahori laughed. “Though now that you mention it, I hope I don’t spoil the surprise either.”