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)
“Aack! The water is salty!”
“You’re not supposed to drink it.” Merry chuckled and made me try it again. And again. And then, the most miraculous thing happened in a season of miraculous things, I actually caught a tiny wave and rode my board in the correct way.
“I did it.” I celebrated by hefting myself out of the water, ready to try again. “I really did it.”
“You did.” Merry pulled me close for a loud kiss on the cheek. We frolicked in the water awhile longer before Merry’s mother summoned us to a feast of mangoes, papayas, nuts, her famous banana bread, and tasty turkey wraps.
A dollop of mayo escaped my wrap, and Merry passed me a napkin.
“Oh. Wait.” I looked down at the wetsuit. I had it, Merry’s hoodie, some pajamas for decency, and a couple of T-shirts and shorts in my bag. Funny how two months ago, I’d planned my every outfit down to the shoes. Maybe Merry’s casual ways were eroding my well-honed style. “I didn’t pack any date-night clothes.”
“Oh dear, you’ll have to shop in Haleiwa. The utter sacrifice.” Merry adopted a dramatic tone that was possibly an imitation of me, but I laughed anyway. He might be influencing my fashion taste these days, but he also knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t turn down a chance to shop.
After food, we played awhile longer in the ocean, and I got to watch Merry swim out with his father on the big boards and ride an impressive wave back, like something out of a movie.
“That was hot.” I teased him when he made it back to me.
“If you think that’s hot, just wait for later.” He gave me a pointed look. “Ready to shop? Better get you the right attire for the resort.”
We went into the small tourist town, which had the most adorable collection of small shops. Every few blocks held a Hawaiian shaved-ice stand, which meant I was already quite happy even before we discovered a menswear shop with what I considered upscale resort wear. Not suit level formal and more prints than most business wear, but high-quality shirts, shorts, and slacks in a small building facing a courtyard with other shops and eateries.
I thumbed through the bulging after-Christmas clearance rack, humming softly to myself.
“Your boyfriend is adorable,” the dark-haired saleswoman said to Merry, and I braced for his rebuttal, but instead, Merry chuckled fondly.
“He really is.”
I had a feeling I lit up brighter than the tree at Rockefeller Center. And maybe it was only for another few days, but I had a boyfriend. One who was happy to claim me in public and offered good suggestions on what prints might suit me. Most dates would have been beyond bored, but Merry joined in my hunt for the best bargains.
“You should try one on too.” I nudged him after I had my picks down to a pinkish-purple button-down with a tapestry pattern and a more whimsical light-blue one with a sea turtle print.
“You suggest matching shirts and date night is off.” He gave me a stern look.
“Never.” I shook my head even if I had been thinking exactly that.
“How about this?” Merry pulled a light-blue cotton sweater off the sales table. It featured a subtle texture and ultra-softa Pima cotton blended with some sort of silk and linen, managing to look as dressy as any button-down shirt in the store.
“Very you. I can’t wait to see it on you, but I already love it.”
“And it’s sixty percent off,” the saleswoman added helpfully.
“You know my mother is going to insist on pictures if we show up in new clothes.” Merry gave a good-natured groan.
“I’m okay with that.” My pulse sped up as my chest struggled to accommodate my heavy heart. I wanted all the pictures. “We need more pictures of us.”
“Here, let me help with that. Give me your phone.” The saleswoman held out her hand for my phone, which I handed over even as Merry sighed. She had us pose, holding up our purchases. “Smile!”
“How’s that?” she asked as she passed the phone back.
“Perfect.” Long after we’d paid and were on our way to Merry’s parents’ house, I stared at the photo. We looked so happy. So right together. Why couldn’t this last?
Twenty-Two
It’s December on Oahu, and that means surf’s up! Ohana, some of our own are competing this week on North Shore in the youth division. Let’s cheer them on!
MERRY
The warm lighting in the fancy restaurant at the resort made Nolan seem even more glowy than usual. He also seemed infused with extra energy, with more expressive gestures and visible joy. Watching him was my personal joy. I didn’t care what we ordered as long as I could keep staring at Nolan.
“I might love your mom.” Nolan looked a few bites away from demanding the recipe for the coconut shrimp appetizer.