Page 77 of Hula Girl

“Surprised us, too,” I say with a grin I hope is charming.

“Made me wonder if I had forgotten something along the way, there,” Randall says. His eyes go wild for a moment, as if he’s struggling with something only he can discern.

“Of course, you hadn’t,” Ava says, joining us with her mother by her side.

She looks radiant in a baby-blue off-the-shoulder dress that has large-print flowers on it and conforms to her delicious curves. Her hair is down but pulled back above one ear with a clip that glitters with Swarovski Crystals. Her lips are tinted dark red, making me think they must be the same color of the apple that tempted Adam once upon a time.

“Hi, babe,” she says breezily, before kissing me quickly.

The touch of her lips on mine is too brief, but leaves a lasting sensation. I force myself to greet Rafaela. She’s well turned out in a crimson dress and sensible heels. It seems she’s met Randall and Alice before as they all greet each other familiarly.

We chat genially for a few minutes, standing in a little circle together. I take the opportunity to put my arm around Ava’s waist, and when she leans into me in response, I wonder if it’s genuine or for show. She has been very good at playing the part, complete with dropping “babe” into the mix.

“What a lovely night,” Manny says, as he joins us.

I tense at the sight of him, my last interaction when he not only demeaned me, but suggested Ava was flighty, still at the forefront of my mind.

“Hi, Manfred,” I say. “I was just going to show Ava and Rafaela the grounds. You’ll excuse us?”

He smirks but doesn’t reply, instead turning his attention to Randall.

Ava touches Randall on the shoulder and makes eye contact with him. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Sure, take your time,” he replies. His eyes express his affection for her the same way I had noticed they did before at the American Bar Association event.

I offer both women an arm, and they take me up on the offer to escort them out to the garden. “You both look beautiful tonight,” I say. “I am the envy of all the men here, that’s for sure.”

Rafaela laughs. “Such a charmer!”

I raise my eyebrows. “I do hope so.”

Ava leans into me again, and this time I know it’s genuine. This time, it’s not pretending, but rather, it’s her letting down her guard and it warms me from the inside out.

The garden is large with a manicured lawn, bushes, fruit trees, and fragrant flowers. And then there is the stunning ocean views. My father bought this place after I had gone away to college. He never had any other children, and he’s never been married. It’s a genuine shame to have such a large home and no one but a rotating series of girlfriends to share it with. But it’s the life he’s chosen.

“Girl, you are looking fabulous!” Tyler says as he meets us at the fountain in the center of the garden. He’s directed this comment not to Ava, but to Rafaela, and she laughs with delight.

It’s nice to see that Ava has acquainted her mother with the people whom she’s closest with, even if they are all work friends. Ava had insisted that my father extend an invitation to Tyler, saying he would be a good companion for her mother when we were busy making the rounds with guests.

“You’re such a flirt, Tyler,” Rafaela says.

“Only for you,” he replies and takes her arm. “Come with me. You’ll love the raw bar. It’s set up inside a custom ice carving in the shape of an enormous oyster!”

“Oh my,” she says, and waves as he leads her away.

“Alone at last,” I say, and Ava smiles. “You do look exceptionally beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.” She smooths down the lapel of my suit coat. “You look very handsome.”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

She laughs. “Of course.”

“I think there’s a reason why we’ve been so good at playing the part of a couple.”

“And what would that be?”

I pull her to me, my arm around her waist. “There’s just something about us together. It can’t be faked. And we shouldn’t just let it go.”

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