Page 61 of Hula Girl

I hear noises in the kitchen and sit up. Ford is there, with just the stove range light on as he makes a cup of coffee. He’s shirtless, wearing only his boxer briefs, making me want to pull him back into bed with me. But I have other obligations to attend to, especially if I’m to cut my work day short.

Pulling on a white silk kimono patterned with colorful flowers, I join him in the kitchen. I inhale the scent of my shampoo as I wrap my arms around his waist from behind. He’s not only been up long enough to make coffee but has also taken a shower. It’s a reminder that he has his own work to get to today. His desire to avoid selling his shares to his father had struck me as a bit of silly revenge, especially given that he’s already moved on and found his happiness. But he seems determined.

“Good morning,” he says. He squeezes my arm before turning to face me. “A little bit of milk, right?”

The coffee cup he holds up has just the right tone. I gratefully take it from him.

“How did you know? This is perfect.”

He shrugs. “I saw the way you take it when we had breakfast at your hotel.”

I arch an eyebrow. “You are a quick study.”

“For things I’m into, absolutely. Especially you, Hula Girl.”

I catch myself from falling for this flattery. After all, we may have had an amazing time together in bed last night, but this whole thing with us … it isn’t real. I have to remind myself—and him—of that.

“Listen, you can’t do that,” I say.

He squints at me. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, we can’t really do this. We can’tinvestin each other. As much fun as last night was, this thing with us, it isn’t real.”

“Uh oh! There they go!” He starts looking around like there’s a swarm of wild butterflies he’s trying to keep his eye on.

I can’t help but laugh. “What are you talking about?”

“There they go!” he repeats before leveling his gaze on me. “There go your walls. Right up to your normal don’t-fuck-with-me levels.”

I drop my eyes from his, sensitive to this criticism. I’ve already told him once that this was the point Bryce tried to make with me and that it doesn’t sit well. Taking my coffee to the bar-height dining room table in front of the windows, I stand rather than sit.

“Hey,” he says as he joins me. “I was just trying to make light of it.”

I don’t look at him. Instead, I keep my eyes focused out the window, watching the sky lose pigment as the sun rises. “Yeah, sure. It’s fine. Um, but maybe we should just backup a little with the stuff that’s not part of our mission.”

“Mission?”

“The fake engagement. You know, pretending that we have a relationship so you can screw over your father?”

“Oh shit,” he says softly before laughing. “You went there, didn’t you?”

I regretted the words the moment they came out of my mouth. But I don’t know how to fix that. I glance at him and then away again. “I just—I told you I’d go along with this thing, and I will. But we shouldn’t pretend to be something we’re not with each other.”

“Got it. Yeah, okay.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Well, I’m not pretending when I say I’m into you. But if you’d rather keep me at arm’s length, I’ll have to respect that.”

Now I turn to him. “Ford, Idon’twant to fall for you. Ican’t.”

“Because?”

“My life is here. My world—myrealworld—is here. Yours is in Maui. We just aren’t … compatible.”

“We were pretty fucking compatible last night. Pun fucking intended.”

I shake my head. “That’s all it ever was with us. There’s no option for more.”

He watches me for a long moment, studying me until I look away. “I understand, Ava. I do.” He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. “I’ll pick you up at your office at two o’clock. Bring some casual clothes to change into, okay? We’ve got ourmissionto work on.”

Before I can reply, he walks away. I watch as he dresses in his crumpled suit from last night. Once he’s done, he goes straight to the front door and slips out without so much as a wave goodbye.

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