Page 22 of Catch a Wave

“No. I borrowed it from the resort. They let employees use the carts as long as we check them out and return them withinthe designated time. People don’t drive cars on the island. We use bikes and these carts, or we hoof it everywhere. Some people use power scooters.”

Kai drives us down his street and out of his neighborhood until we’re making our way along a paved road that isn’t even wide enough for two full car lanes. The beach is to our right, and rows of quaint shops line the left side of the street.

Then we pass an elegant array of cultivated palm trees with a pathway leading to a grand building. The marble embossed sign out front reads,Alicante Resort and Spa.

“That’s the main resort building,” Kai explains, as he continues to drive along the edge of the sand past the pier I docked on when I arrived. He points out toward another pier further to the north. Boats are moored on one side of that dock.

“That’s my office.”

“Your office?”

“Yeah. Can’t complain. I work on a dock every day. Or in the water. It’s a dream job.”

“With Bodhi.”

I can’t help the way my brain circles back to my ex, like something swirling down the toilet.

“Yeah. With Bodhi. Sorry, Kala.”

“Let’s make a deal. I’ll stay mad at you for a while, because you totally deserve that, and you stop apologizing. I know you’re sorry. Your words won’t make up for the way you betrayed me. But I do know you’re sincerely sorry. So just give me time. Okay?”

“Yeah. I can do that.”

Kai pulls into a spot at the side of a cafe that sits right on the sand. The sign over the door saysC-Side Coffee.

“This is the best coffee on the island. Thank me later.”

It takes me a minute to maneuver out of the cart, and Kai lets me wrestle through on my own. I’m grateful. For the pastfour weeks I’ve had nurses, friends and family hovering over my every move. It’s a relief to bungle along without commentary or a safety net being flung out underneath me.

Kai holds the door open, and when I step over the threshold a brunette behind the counter shouts out, “Kai’s here. Ooooh! It’s Kalaine!”

I’m not used to being recognized. It’s not like many people outside the surfing world follow world-class surfers.

Kai strides to the coffee bar which is situated like an island in the middle of the room full of cafe tables. Behind us, sliding glass doors open to a patio leading out onto the beach. Customers fill the outdoor umbrella tables and their chatter filters into the restaurant at a low murmur. The soundtrack overhead has beachy tunes on a low volume. I already love this place and I haven’t even had their coffee.

Another woman, probably old enough to be my mom, or at least an aunt, is next to the bubbly brunette. She gives Kai a wide smile. Then the blond sitting on one of the bar stools turns and I recognize her right away. Summer Monroe.

“Riley,” Kai says to the brunette barista. “This is my sister Kalaine. Kala, this is Riley. She’s my friend Cam’s wife. And this is Clarissa. She owns C-side.” Kai points to the middle-aged woman. “And this is Summer, Ben’s fiancée. Ben works with me at the watersports shack.”

All three women greet me. I turn to Summer and gush. I’m not usually affected by a person’s status, but I’m a little starstruck seeing Summer Monroe in person.

“I loved you inUntethered. You were awesome.”

“Aww. Thanks so much. I loved watching you surf. I saw your ride at Mavericks. We all watched the contest at Kai’s. That first wave was amazing. And …” she trails off, but doesn’t shy away from what she was about to say. “I just have to say, I’m so glad you survived that fall. It was so scary there for a minute.”

“Thanks. I can’t believe you saw it.” I hadn’t considered the fact that Kai and his friends would be watching me.

“I was glued to the screen. The whole pro-surfer lifestyle amazes me. When you have time, I’d love to hear all about how you got into surfing and how you train for big waves. You’re incredible. Awe-inspiring, really.”

Summer Monroe is telling meI’mawe inspiring.

“I’ve got nothing but time right now.” I look down at my boot.

Summer looks down too, completely unfazed by what she sees. “Great. Because I’m between projects. I’m reading through scripts and I have a few auditions coming up, but I’m free as a bird. Let’s plan to meet up. Do you have your phone?”

I pull my phone out of my pocket, and just like that Summer Monroe has punched her digits into my cell.

When I look up at her, I swear sparkling glitter is spritzing out of my eyes. I have officially lost my ability to be chill in the face of this starlet.

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