Page 39 of Try Me

“After that performance no one can deny it,” he said.

Pearl scrawled her name, posed for pictures, and smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. Her line was longer than Declan’s, and he waited patiently as she took a photograph with the last fan. As they headed back to the hotel together, Pearl felt like she was walking on clouds instead of sand.

“I think you’re gonna be more popular than Lady, the bull terrier,” he said as they weaved their way between sunbathers and kids building castles in the sand. “You’re on your way, Pearl.”

“It doesn’t hurt to do a commercial with the most famous surfer in the world,” she said. “I know the risk you took by filming that commercial with me. If I had messed up…” She shrugged, trying not to get emotional, but the success of the commercial, the kiss, and her first experience dealing with fans had left Pearl feeling raw. “Thanks for taking a chance on me,” she said.

Declan stopped walking to let a trio of kids run in front of them. “You’re a star, Pearl Sunn,” he said. “Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”

Pearl felt tears shining in her eyes, and she blinked them away, refusing to look weak in front of Declan. They started walking again, and when they passed the spot where she and her mother had bought shave ice, it surprised her to see the old man was still there with his cart, selling cups of shaved ice flavored with fruit juice.

“I can’t believe he’s still here,” she said. “My mom brought me here for the ’56 Makaha International, and we bought shave ice from that old man.” Pearl peered closer at the vendor. “He still looks exactly the same.”

Declan laughed and then his face turned serious. “What flavor did you get?”

“Mango.”

His eyebrows pinched together in mock disapproval, and he shook his head.

“What?” she asked.

“Coconut was the only answer.”

Pearl laughed. “Coconut was my mother’s favorite.”

They started walking again. Declan slowed his stride so that Pearl could keep up without hurrying.

“The shave ice cart is the only thing that hasn’t changed,” she said, looking around at the busy beach full of tourists.

New hotels and condominiums were under construction all along the beach. When Pearl had visited Waikiki a dozen years ago, the Royal Hawaiian had stood out like a magnificently elegant castle. Now, it was dwarfed on both sides by skyscrapers.

“Look,” Declan said, stopping to point out a construction crane lifting a steel beam. “Hawaii’s new state bird. The crane.”

Pearl swatted Declan on the shoulder, laughing. “That’s not funny,” she said.

“You’re laughing,” he pointed out.

They arrived at the hotel, and Pearl realized she wasn’t ready to part ways with Declan. “Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.

His face froze. “No.”

“There’s nothing on the itinerary for tonight,” she said. “You’re free.”

Declan paused before they entered the hotel to pull his shirt over his head. His face looked pained as it popped out of the neck hole. The color drained from his face, and he licked his lips. “Can’t,” was all he said.

“So, I’m free tonight? No job responsibilities.”

Declan’s mouth tightened. “Yeah.”

Pearl felt the slow burn of anger bloom in her chest as they walked through the lobby. She thought maybe she had chipped through Declan’s frosty exterior. They had trusted each other during the commercial, and that kiss had been hot enough to peel back a dozen layers of ice.

“That’s it?” she asked. “We’re back to one-word answers?”

“What do you want from me?” he asked, punching the button to call the elevator.

The doors opened, and they filed onto the elevator with a family of tourists, crowding to the back of the car to make room. Pearl stared straight ahead, looking anywhere but at Declan. The elevator rose, and she still hadn’t answered him. The tourists got off on their floors, and Pearl was still considering. When it came to surfing, she knew exactly what she wanted. When it came to Declan, she was pretty sure, too, but he was the one holding back.

“This is your floor,” Declan said when the elevator stopped again.

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