Page 63 of Hula Girl

“Yeah, sorry about that,” I say.

“He understands now, of course,” Ava says.

“I do,” he confirms. “Sort of, anyway. I guess since it was such a quick engagement, coming straight out of a vacation fling and all, you were trying to take your time sharing the news.”

Ah, so that’s what she’s told him. Looks like I’ll have to go with it. “Yeah, some people can get funny about how quickly things moved. You know, all judgmental about it. But when you know, you know.”

“That’s beautiful,” Tyler says, and I believe he means it, which tells me he’s a romantic, just like Ava.

“Oh, speaking of which. Ava, honey, I got the ring back from being sized. It should be perfect now.”

Her mouth drops open, and I can tell she has to force it closed as I pull the Cartier ring box out of my pocket. I slip the ring from its velvet confines and onto her left hand before she can instinctively pull away. The fact that it fits perfectly has me breathing a sigh of relief. It looks gorgeous on her hand I have to say.

“You arenotserious,” Tyler says, staring down at the fine piece of jewelry.

Ava raises her now shaking hand to her chest. “It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” she asks and gives me the side-eye.

I laugh inwardly. Might as well enjoy all the absurdities of this thing.

Tyler takes her hand into his and whistles. “Girl, you done good,” he says.

“My Surfer Boy did good,” she replies, and I take pride in the fact that the style of ring I chose is something she truly likes.

“Now you can wave that thing in Bryce’s face,” Tyler suggests, finally releasing Ava’s hand.

“It’s not about him,” Ava says quickly.

I suspect, though, that she doesn’t mind proving to him that sheisthe type of woman a man would want to marry. That she is capable of both marriage and a career.

“And where are you taking your fiancée?” Tyler asks me.

“It’s a surprise,” I reply with a wink. “And we’d better get going. You do have something more casual to change into, right?”

“Yes, I do. My bag is back in my office. I’ll run and change. Won’t take long.”

Tyler and I both watch her hurry away. I have my eyes on her swishing skirt and tan bare legs, while it seems Tyler is still eyeing that ring.

“So, you created quite a stir last night,” he tells me. “First with your unexpected return and then with this unbelievable engagement.”

“Yeah, well,” I say with a sigh. “I’ve always been a little unconventional.”

“Small world that you and Ava would meet up—andfall in love—in Maui when you’re both based here in LA.”

He’s fishing. And he’s clearly smart enough not to believe the story. But I have to respect the fact that there’s a reason why Ava hasn’t confided in him, even though they seem to be pretty close friends.

“Just makes our story all that much more romantic, doesn’t it?” I grin when I see this explanation affect him. I was right. He is a romantic. And when his lingering gaze trails over me from head to toe, I know he appreciating me in another way.

“Certainly makes me swoon,” he replies conspiratorially, and for a second, I don’t know if he’s talking about the story or me.

“I’m ready,” Ava calls as she moves toward us.

She’s changed into a black one-piece shorts and top thing. The deep V-neck of the top hints deliciously at her cleavage, and the shorts expose even more of her legs than the skirt did. The high heel sandals lengthen those lovely legs even more. Damn. How am I going to keep my hands off her? That’s what she was hinting at when she said we should back off, right? Or maybe we can still have sex but just leave any feelings out of it.

I’m lost in these thoughts while she’s saying goodbye to Tyler. And then she takes my arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and we’re off.

25

Ava

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