Page 29 of Always Another Sunset

“Of course, not a problem,” the host said with a nod. “I will show you the way unless you know where it is?”

“Thank you, but we know,” JC answered before leading Bella to the restaurant’s cocktail area. As they turned the corner, Bella’s eye immediately landed on Chris. Sitting on a stool, she stirred a fruity-looking drink. The woman looked fresh, almost tropical, in a sleeveless light blue blouse that offset her tanned, toned arms and cream linen pants.And way too attractive,Bella thought in the same instant Chris noticed them and waved.

Walkinginto the bar area of the restaurant, JC noticed Chris waiting for them at the same time she felt Bella’s body stiffen. Not exactly sure what she reacted to, but guessing it was from spotting the woman waiting for them, JC wanted to say something reassuring. Before she could, Chris slipped off her stool to greet them. “I was early so I decided to have a drink,” she said, motioning to two empty seats. “Join me for one?”

“We’d love to,” Bella answered before JC even had time to react. Although starting the evening with a cocktail sounded like a great idea, she was still surprised at Bella’s quick response.Liquid courage?she wondered, wishing the woman didn’t feel like she needed it. Even though Chris was her ex-girlfriend, and they had some history, JC’s feelings were never as strong as they were toward Bella. Still, no matter how she tried to express that fact, Bella couldn’t seem to quite believe it.

Chris smiled, warm and inviting. “That’s perfect,” she said, taking her stool, and JC knew her well enough to tell her words were genuine. Whatever reasons the woman had for being back on Oahu, JC felt the intentions were good. The fact she wanted to catch up with JC was a little bit of a surprise, but then there never was animosity between them. As she had explained to Bella, the two had wanted different futures and, in the end, went their separate ways.

Not sure about the protocol as to who should sit where JC let Bella make the next move and was glad when she took the middle stool. Sitting between the two women might have been awkward. “What are you drinking?” Bella asked, plucking a short menu from the countertop while JC sat. “It looks fruity and fun.”

“It’s called a Lava Flow, actually,” Chris replied, stirring the red and white mixture with her straw. “Have you ever had one? They are very sweet but taste excellent.” She chuckled. “But you have to be a little careful. It’s easy to forget they have alcohol in them.”

Bella shook her head. “I’ve never had one, but I think I’ll try it,” she said before glancing at JC. “What about you?”

JC shrugged, not a fan of sugary tasting drinks but wanting to go with the flow of the suddenly chatty Bella. “Sure, why not?” She couldn’t help but notice Chris’s raised eyebrow but was happy when the woman didn’t comment on JC saying yes to the fruity cocktail. Instead, Chris turned her attention to flagging down the bartender to order.

“Three Lava Flows, please,” she told him, and once the man was off making their drinks, JC watched Chris refocus on them. “So. I’m glad we were able to all get together. Where did the two of you meet?”

“Kayaking tour,” JC answered with a smile. “You wouldn’t believe my surprise when I realized Bella was in my group.”

“Talk about a blast from the past,” Bella said with a laugh. “I’m standing in the parking lot trying to think of an excuse to bail on my rash decision to go on the adventure, and then there was JC.”

Furrowing her brow, Chris looked from one to the other of them. “Wait,” she said. “Somehow you knew each other?” Then, JC saw a light go on in Chris’s eyes. “Oh, I understand now. You’re The Bella from college.”

Bella looked at JC. “The Bella?” she asked, and JC wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Chris’s comment surprised her.Using‘The Bella’ seems to be sending a clear message,she thought.Did I let the memory of my college crush impact my relationship with Chris?Luckily, before JC had to say a word, their order arrived, and after some back and forth discussion, the drinks went on Chris’s tab.

After taking a sip, Bella smiled. “This is very good,” she said. “And I can see what you mean. You’d never know there was anything dangerous in here.”

“Exactly,” Chris said before looking pointedly at JC. “What do you think?” Knowing Chris took some pleasure in JC drinking something she wouldn’t usually order, she held her eye as she tried the Lava Flow.

The sweetness from the strawberries, coconut, and pineapple was a lot, but not horrible. “Not too bad,” she said. “Never replace a good beer, though.”

“That’s what I thought you would say,” Chris said with a laugh, and out of the corner of her eye, JC noticed Bella watching them interact.

A slight flush on her cheeks, Bella cleared her throat to interrupt. “So, Chris, how long are you here in Hawaii?” she said, clearly cutting to the chase, and Chris continued to smile.

“Actually,” she said after taking another sip from her straw. “I’ve missed the island and I’ve decided I want to move back here.”

29

At Chris’s sudden announcement, Bella nearly spit out her mouthful of Lava Flow. Then, in an effort to swallow the frozen drink, she started to choke, and it was all she could do to get the sugary mix down before starting to cough. Thankfully, JC rubbed Bella’s back, and the soothing touch seemed to help.

When the attack subsided, Chris touched Bella’s shoulder. “Hey,” she said. “I didn’t say that to surprise you. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Well, what is your intention?” JC asked in a cooler tone than Bella had ever heard her use, and she was thankful the woman asked the question. The idea Chris would be moving back to Oahu sounded an alarm in Bella’s mind.

Clearly noticing JC’s tone as well, Chris leaned back a little on her stool. “All right,” she said. “I can see this has upset everyone but let me clarify. I am very seriouslyconsideringmoving back to Oahu. No official decision has been made.”

Finally finding herself able to talk, Bella blurted a question before she could stop her racing thoughts. “Because of JC?”

Playing with the straw in her drink, Chris didn’t look at her. “No,” she said. “I’m thinking about it because my fiancée is being stationed here.”

The tightness in Bella’s chest loosened at the word fiancée. “So, you’d be moving back here with your partner?” she asked, not entirely convinced JC was not part of the equation.

“Exactly,” Chris said, refocusing on Bella. “My girlfriend is in the military, and she will be stationed here for the next three years.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw JC pick up her Lava Flow. “Then this warrants a celebration,” she said, the friendliness back in her voice. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

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