Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Cara snorted because they did most of their own maintenance with a service run by an elderly gentleman for the rest.
Leaning in, I whispered to Merry, “Wanna play pool boy later?”
“Thought we were playing elf right now.” He kept his voice similarly low, but his eyes sparkled.
“Hey, when it comes to you, I’m up for all the roles.” I delivered the line with a chuckle, but there was also a fair bit of truth there. I’d be up for whatever role he wanted to give me, including the ones that weren’t up for audition.
“Good.” Merry looked like he might kiss me, but my parents were right there. They knew I was gay, of course, but there were some things one simply did not do in front of Natalie and Harold Bell.
Once we’d made it safely to Merry’s car, though, I made sure to get that kiss. And a second for good measure.
“So tempted to drag you back to my place.” Merry pulled away with a grin. Despite his tease, he headed toward downtown Honolulu. “So…do your parents always dress like that?”
“Like Central Park West meets a country club?” I had to laugh. “Yes. Always. They’ve been here less than three full days and have already visited two tennis clubs. And they have golf tee times for their other days here. God forbid they take actual downtime or time with the kids.”
“How did you manage to grow up with them and not play either sport?” Merry asked as we zipped down the highway at his usual speed.
“A lot of time alone,” I admitted. “Luckily, I had my grandfather and Craig before he got older and got his own group of friends. And later I had friends to avoid tee times with. I’m considering escaping to North Shore when they golf.”
“Do it.” An eager smile swept across his face. I’d been worried he wouldn’t like the idea, but his expression and tone said otherwise. “I’m going to try to get some good surfing in before the New Year’s Eve party, but you should come. My folks love you, and we can get away with sharing a room there more easily than trying for a sleepover here.”
“Truth.” I grinned back at him, already loving the idea of some more private time. “And your mom can cook. Mine is where I get my ordering skills from.”
“Well, she seemed…efficient?” Merry’s forehead wrinkled like he was trying super hard to find something nice to say.
“You can be honest.” I barked out a laugh. “They are both stiffer than a cardboard box with about as much personality and warmth. Don’t get me wrong. I love them.”
“I know you do.” Merry’s tone was just this side of pity.
“They’re not bad people.” I exhaled hard. “They provided a good life for me and Craig, but warm fuzzies and tight hugs they are not. And today, I realized I get my perfectionist ways from them, and Lord, I don’t want to turn into them when I’m older. I don’t want to lose my ability to appreciate little things.”
“You? My eternal optimist? Never.” Slowing for traffic, Merry reached over to give me a fast pat on the thigh. “You’re a perfectionist because you care so deeply, not because you’re a hard-to-please grump.”
“Oh.” I sat with that proclamation for a moment, letting the compliment settle over me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever felt quite so seen. I did try hard to be optimistic, and having that appreciated was sweeter than a sugar cookie.
“What’s with the traffic?” I asked as Merry took the exit for downtown and immediately landed us in a thick jam of cars, buses, and pedestrians. “This is almost New York levels.”
“Welcome to Waikiki on Christmas Eve, baby.” Merry chuckled, but tense lines appeared around his eyes as he navigated the clogged streets. “And shouldn’t you feel right at home with these crowds?”
“Actually…maybe suburbia and base living is growing on me.” I looked out at the sidewalks where shoppers toting designer bags dodged each other and the slow creep of cars forward. “This is a lot of people.”
A large group of jaywalkers darted out between cars as Merry tried to turn into a parking garage. The attendant came out with a Garage Full sign before Merry could complete the turn, and he cursed low under his breath.
“Once we find a parking garage with room, I’ll get you a fancy bubble tea from this place I know down here, and you’ll get your city-slicker legs and holiday spirit back.”
Hmm. Maybe I didn’t want those city-slicker legs back, but I wasn’t sure how to express that. I did miss certain things about New York, but I also appreciated others about Oahu. A group of well-dressed women almost collided with a quartet of hipster young men, and each group continued on like they were in their own bubble, with no interaction. The shops were all luxury brands, same as ones found in most big cities, none of the quaint charm of North Shore or the welcoming feel of Cara’s neighborhood.