“In a few minutes. I’m all done with packing. Are your finals over?” I ask, returning my gaze to Brian.
“No.” He eyes his phone and sighs. “I have the last one in a couple of hours. I can’t stay long. I need to cram some more.”
“Yeah, you don’t want to risk your four-point-oh,” Staci says with a smirk.
Brian gives her a sideways glance. His jaw ticks, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he shifts forward and slides his hand across my knee, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“I wanted to say bye and tell you to have a great time.” His thumb rotates ever so slowly. “I’m going to miss you.”
Unable to move, the deepness of his normally vibrant aquamarine eyes mesmerizes me. This stormy blue color is foreign, and the longer his stare lingers, the more heat creeps along my neck. I’m painfully aware of our proximity. To break eye contact, I shift in my chair and then stand to move away from him.
“I—”
“Please, it’s not like you’ve ever spent winter break together before. What’s the big deal?” Staci asks, interrupting me.
I glance back at Brian. His chin turns up as he glares at Staci. I’m not sure what her problem is today, but her bitter tone is unnecessary. I should remind her that she spoke those same words minutes before Brian’s arrival.
“Jealous—”
“Okay, you two. Enough,” I say.
Staci’s eyes narrow as Brian lets out a frustrated grunt.
“I have to go.” Brian stands and leans in for a hug. I return the gesture and notice Staci jerk her head away, nails biting into her palms.
“Don’t forget to text me while you’re having all this fun,” he whispers rather close to my ear.
“Okay. I won’t. Remember, though, there’s a six hour—well seven for you—time difference. I might be slow at sending them,” I say. He pulls away, and his hand slides down my back.
“I’ll take what I can get,” he says in a deep voice.
My gaze sweeps to his. He holds my stare for a moment, and then sighs.
“Well, I better go. Be safe.”
“Awkward,” Staci sing-songs as soon as the door shuts.
“Save it.” I let out an exasperated sigh and grab my sweatshirt to put it on. “I don’t understand why you hate him so much. He’s a great guy.”
“He annoys me. And it’s so obvious he wants in your pants.”
I pause and peek through the neck hole. “No, he doesn’t.”
“God, Kayla. How could you be so blind? He was practically drooling over himself.”
“We’re just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.”
I finish pulling the sweatshirt over my head and wiggle into it. This isn’t the first time someone’s paired us together. Mom has suggested a few times—meaning about a hundred—that we should date. But I don’t feel that way toward him. He’s a great guy. Gorgeous. He stands a couple of inches above my five-foot-seven-inch frame. With well-trimmed, dishwater-blond hair, he always looks professional. Aquamarine eye color that sparkles when he laughs is rather striking. He’d be a great catch for someone. Other than me.
“Yeah, whatever.”
I frown at her indifference, but let it go.
“Come here.” I spread my arms for a hug. “I’ll text when I can.”
“Have fun,” she says as she springs up to hug me. “Wish I was going.”
“Me, too.”
I break away from her and grab my bag. We exchange goodbyes, and I leave for my journey home. Once I reach the security doors, I swing the tote bag over my shoulder and exit the dorm building. The warmth of the sun encases my body, further enlightening my mood. It’s only a matter of days, or weeks, before the weather turns and reminds us all what it’s like to live in the Midwest. Doesn’t matter, I have a month of paradise waiting for me.
I retrieve my sunglasses and slide them on, and then trudge across campus. A smile creeps across my face as the elated feeling I have every time a semester ends envelops me. A sense of pride for my school rushes in when I walk past the bell tower. I glance at the clock faces, and my smile widens. I do love my school. There isn’t any other place I’d rather be than here. Well, maybe one other place. I shake my head and continue walking.
Ready or not Kauai, here I come!
Chapter Three
Kayla~
My heart thuds in my chest as the brown marbled sign marked St. Regis Princeville at Hauala’ comes into view.
“Mom, turn here on Ka Haku Rd.”
“I’m glad you know where we’re going,” Mom says, chuckling to herself. “I’m not familiar with this area.”
“Duh, Mom. Of course, you’re not.”
She signals right and drifts into the turning lane. My eyes grow wide with anticipation. We’re almost to the condo.
The entire ride from the airport in Lihue has been astonishing, and the trip only took an hour. Princeville is considered the northern part of the island, where Lihue sits in the east side closer to the southern part. The towns aren’t opposite of each other, but the small drive time puts in perspective how small this mass of land is compared to Illinois, my home state.
“Turn here on the right. The road should be around the bend,” I say when our destination nears. I’m so ready to stand and stretch. Anything but sitting.
The flight went smoother than I expected. But the patch of turbulence we hit had me grabbing the armrest and holding on for dear life. The passenger seated on my left, Ray from Ohio State, helped by asking questions. His short blond hair and smoky hazel eyes were a bonus, but his witty sense of humor made the flight easier.
“This looks nice,” Mom says as she drives through the entrance of the condominiums.
A flood of excitement jolts through me at the hint of the ocean reappearing.
“It does, doesn’t it.” I bite my lip, eying the condos. Ours is the top corner unit, and I can’t wait to see the views from the lanai.
Clucking sounds greet us when we exit the car to check-in. I scrunch my nose to find the source and suppress a laugh. A few chickens are scratching away in the landscaping toward the end of the building.
“What the heck?” I ask. My Internet search failed to mention free-range chickens.
“I forgot to warn you about the chickens. Those suckers are everywhere,” Mom says.
I pull my cell phone out to snap a pic. I may be from the Midwest, but roaming chickens aren’t a normal sight.
Wasting no time after checking in, we hop back into the rental car, and my leg bounces from anticipation. I can’t wait. Mom backs up, and then proceeds to the designated parking lot.
“Ah, good. There’s a spot close to our stairwell.”
Mom pulls into the empty parking spot rather hastily. We let out a squeal, grab a couple of suitcases, and then trek up the stairs to our new three-week home. That spectacular view is mere seconds away!
“I’m glad we only have three flights of stairs to climb,” Mom says, panting. “My legs are tired from sitting on the plane.”
“When I researched the island, I learned that buildings on Kauai can only be as tall as a palm tree. There’s an ordinance against building anything taller—something about wanting to preserve the island’s beauty.” I grin to myself. I secretly love that rule.
“That’s nice. I actually knew—”
“What?” I ask, yelling behind my shoulder.
“Nothing. Not important.”
I let my question drop and stop in front of the white metal door with a wooden sign that says, “Aloha… Please Remove Your Shoes, Mahalo.” In Hawaii, it’s customary to remove your shoes at the door. Mom and I smile at each other before placing the key fob in front of the sensor. The light clicks green, and my stomach flutters as the door swings open. My smile immediately drops—not the view I had expected.
An off-white wall stands three feet in front of us, blocking everything I imagined. I step into the small entryway and walk a few step
s to peek around the corner. The fluttering returns.
“Mom, this is great.” I set the suitcase on the beige ceramic tile and scan the area while slipping off my shoes. “Look at these views.”
I progress forward to the living room, and my gaze darts around the brightly lit room. I’m not sure what to look at first. To my left, floor-to-ceiling windows sit behind the light beige, palm-tree printed couch, showcasing a beautiful view of the mountains. Further in front, a sliding glass door leads to a lanai with the ocean view.
I suck in a breath and charge straight forward. I must see that view. Enthusiasm bubbles through my veins as I unlatch the lock and slide the glass door open.
Bypassing the round patio table, I step to the railing and absorb the sights. The warm breeze blows against my face, and I’m in total awe, viewing miles upon miles of endless sea. It’s exhilarating.
I breathe in the salty air and bask in the crashing sounds below. The rhythmic melody of each wave echoes through the air and hypnotizes me. I stand for several minutes, leaning against the railing while the sounds carry me away from reality. Mom slides beside me, not saying a word. Caught in her moment, she stares at the cinematic symphony every bit as mesmerized as me.
After a few minutes, I reluctantly pull away and turn to the view from the other side of the lanai. I gasp at the mountain range in the distance. It’s every bit as breathtaking as the ocean.
“Wow,” Mom says behind me.
“This is like the best of both worlds right here,” I whisper.
Mom did well with picking out our condo. The views from the lanai alone are worth any amount of money. I sigh and then drag myself back inside to start the chores.
As I make my way to the kitchen, I can’t help but smile again. The entire wall is windows, giving way to the ocean scene that has entrapped me. This room is beyond awesome, and I can totally see myself staying here for an extended amount of time. Three weeks will not seem long at all with these views.
“We’ll take a drive to the grocery store and stock up as soon as we get settled,” Mom says. “This area is so nice. I feel like I’m in heaven.”
“This will be the best vacation ever, Mom. Thanks for this.”
“It’s the least I could do.” She blinks her eyes a few times and turns away. “I’m going to unpack my suitcase, and then we’ll take off.”
Chapter Four
Kai~
The clanking sounds of glass bottles compete with the lead singer’s raspy voice as I take a swig of my beer. My gaze sweeps around the room in search for something or someone different. My lips press tight, and I swallow my disappointment. Any other Friday night, the bar would be packed.
“This crowd blows,” Kamp Mahona, my wingman since fourth grade, says. I owe my first girlfriend, Alani, to him. He’s a good friend and has had my back ever since.
“Yeah.” I take another sip and eye a couple of scantily dressed girls walking through the doorway. They pause and glance nervously around the room. “But it just improved.”
Kamp turns to where I’m staring. “Mmm, those haoles’ look lost. Should we navigate them to friendly territory?”
I raise an eyebrow and glance at Kamp. He’ll never stop with those stupid, cheesy pickup lines. Kamp shrugs, and I return to stare at the two blonde-haired chicks that obviously are not islanders. Rick’s is a local’s bar, so when tourists enter, they’re easy to spot. The dark lighting along with the low ceilings and bouncer, Tabby—the near three-hundred-pound wall of muscle—gives the place a threatening demeanor. Whenever mainlanders enter, they always have the same vacant stare. These girls are no exception.
My gaze follows the two blondes as they make their way to the opposite end of the bar. I take another drink, but come up dry. I tip the bottle to Laney, tonight’s bartender, and she nods. As soon as Laney brings the beer, those girls are mine. Well, at least, one. Or both. I’ll let them decide.
The corners of my mouth rise slightly, picturing the multiple violations we could get by with.
“Oh, no. I know that look,” Kamp says. “One of those girls is mine.”
Smiling wider, I nod. “I hear you, bro.”
“I’m not kidding. You’re not leaving with both girls again while I go home, alone.” Kamp’s voice may be stern, but the gleam in his eyes betrays him.
“Fine, whatever,” I try to say without laughing. “But the other night, those two girls were already mine. You didn’t stand a chance.”
Kamp chuckles and shakes his head. “Dude, you’re the luckiest son-of-a-bitch I know.”
I smirk at Kamp’s comment even though I’m not exactly proud. Casual sex gets old, but I’m not ready to settle with one girl. Most definitely not. Hell, I’m only twenty-four, and still have plenty of time to worry about that shit.
The noise level drops a few decibels when the band finishes their last song and announces a short break.
Laney plops my beer down in front of me and huffs. “Crowd’s slow tonight. Tips are gonna suck.”
“Is that a hint?”
My smirk grows to a grin as I hand her the money. Laney laughs and winks before walking away. I shake my head and leave extra cash on the bar. Damn vixen. She knows how to work it.
“Come on, bro. Let’s go be Lihue’s personal tour guides.” Kamp runs his hands along his torso. “Let the exploration begin.”
“Dude, seriously? Just…stop.”
Kamp laughs and slaps my back. “Come on.”
“You’re not leaving yet, are you?” a smooth voice says behind me.
Internally, I cringe. I know that voice well. I know every pitch that voice makes—especially when it’s moaning underneath me.
“Bethany,” I say.
I sneak a quick glance at the blondes. The girl on the end crosses her legs. Her skirt rides higher, revealing her long, silky-smooth skin. I sigh. Different flavor is not an option tonight. Kamp groans and plops beside me when I turn to face Beth. He never hides his disdain for her, but Beth and I ignore him.
“Nah, we’re not going anywhere.” My gaze drops to the deep V-cut shirt that’s not leaving much to the imagination. Of course, every inch of that body has been seared into memory. “I thought you were staying in?”
I force myself to look at her face and then stop myself from wincing. Her lips are pressed into a tight thin line as she stares past me. She must’ve noticed the girls.
“I can’t let you get into trouble…” Her gaze cuts back to mine. “Now can I?”
Bethany sits at the neighboring barstool. She has no right to say anything about who I pursue. She knows the score. We’re just a hookup. Beth knows there will never be anything serious between us.
“Now what fun would that be?” I run my hand along her thigh, just stopping short of the skirt’s hemline. “Or are we making our own trouble?”
Bethany shivers under my touch, and I chuckle which earns a slap on my shoulder.
“Ass,” she says with a laugh.
“I’m going in,” Kamp says. “By myself, apparently.”
I tilt my head to him and nod. Despite his dislike for Bethany, Kamp knows once she shows up; I’m out. He glides over to the two girls, and I force my attention back to Beth.
“So, whatcha’ have in mind?” I ask.
A slow grin crosses her mouth as her eyes darken. “I have a few ideas.”
A low guttural growl escapes, and I rise, grabbing her hand. Full bottle of beer forgotten, I release my hand from hers and place it on her back to guide her toward the door. Yeah, not settling down yet.
I walk past Kamp and shake my head at the girls’ giggles. Those cheesy lines always seem to work somehow. Maybe he’ll get lucky with one or even both tonight. Who knows?
The sea breeze welcomes us as we step outside. Bethany turns toward me and smiles. “Your place or mine?”
I stare at her for a moment. A twinge of guilt seeps into my conscience, and I contemplate going home alone. But this is the arrangement
we devised a few years back—a friends with benefits sort of thing, even though we’re more like acquaintances. We never do anything together except have sex.
Beth raises an eyebrow and gives me a look.
“Yours,” I say.
Chapter Five
Kayla~
Today’s the day I break out my wicked kayak skills on the Wailua River. Ha. I’ve never been kayaking before, but this goal I’m so accomplishing.
“Mom, today is going to be so incredible,” I say, beelining to the car.
“I knew you were excited to do this, which is one reason I slated it for the first day.” Mom loads our towels, along with her camera, into the back seat of the rental as I jump in the passenger seat, holding our lunch sacks.
“I’m so excited for the secret waterfall,” I say, slipping on my sunglasses. The waterfall is only accessible by foot, hence, the reason it’s considered hidden. At some point during the tour, we’ll abandon the kayaks and hike a small trail that leads to the cascading water. I pull out my phone and check the time. A little less than an hour, we’ll be there. “The anticipation is killing me.”
Mom laughs as she gets behind the wheel. She starts the car and backs out. “This day will definitely be amazing.”
The conviction in her voice makes me glance at her. I purse my lips but say nothing. That distant stare to her eyes reappears. The same look she had after we discussed coming here at Thanksgiving. I smile and shake my head.
Mom’s sentimental, always has been. That’s nothing new. But she’s the best. Raising me on her own all these years, I’m amazed at her tenacity.
“I love you, Mom. Thanks for this trip. I needed a break from college.” And that’s the truth. With my schooling coming to an end, well for my major, I’ve been busy. Lining everything up to apply to graduate school, I’ve been beefing up my resume. Although I’m pretty sure I’ll be accepted to Purdue’s Family Nurse Practitioner program, I still want my resume flawless to keep my options open.
Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One Page 2