Page 120 of Stone
“More than anything, Ty. But I’m glad you’re here.”
He grinned. “Me too.”
While we waited for the scores, my thoughts drifted to Dani, wondering how she was doing. My heart hadn’t stopped achingsince she’d left, but I also recognized holding her hostage under the best of circumstances wasn’t good for anyone.
“So, I was thinking,” Tyler said later. “Maybe I could spend the summer in Lanai. I mean if you wouldn’t mind. Mom and Dad said it would be fine, but it was up to you.”
I lifted my sunglasses, easily able to nod. “You bet it’s fine. As I told you before, you’ll always have a home with me. And with your… And with Dani.”
“Hey, they’re getting ready to post the scores. Come on. It’s neck and neck with the good doctor.”
Kekoa was excited. Meanwhile, I searched the crowd one last time just in case.
Just. In. Case.
Daniella
“What are you looking at?” Colette grilled as she walked closer. In her hand were two champagne flutes.
I took one but continued staring at the screen on my phone. “I found the surfing competition they have every year in Oahu.”
“Surfing competition? Does this have anything to do with the love of your life?”
Exhaling, I finally lifted my head, studying the crowd of people who’d come to the gallery showing. We were due to leave for Barcelona in two days, where I’d spend three weeks. Theshowings in Paris had gone well, the time allowing me to clean up my apartment and paint to my heart’s desire.
My recent paintings reflected my time spent in Hawaii, which had been a surprising hit. For me, depicting the days I’d spent in paradise had been bittersweet yet cathartic. Maybe healing.
“Maybe,” I told her.
“You are so transparent. Have you talked to Stone?”
“No. We agreed not to for a while.” I returned my gaze to the screen once again. When I squealed, half the guests at the showing turned their heads in my direction.
“What’s wrong?” Colette asked.
“Nothing is wrong. He won. He won the competition. Can you believe it?” I lifted my flute of champagne, forcing her to clink glasses. “Here. Look.”
She glanced at the tiny screen, shaking her head as she laughed. “You’ve sold more art in the last two weeks than you have in two years, yet seeing a man you’re desperately trying to stay away from win a competition makes you happy. Hmmm…”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’re not happy. Look around you.”
I did as she asked but didn’t want to take my eyes off the screen. To see him winning made my heart flutter. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, Dani. It’s me you’re talking to. You’ve been pining away for that man since you returned. You won’t call him, which I can’t understand why. You constantly look at your phone and you’re miserable. You’re distant and have no zest for life. Yes, I understand you’re still healing from the abduction and what youlearned about your father. Your son. You have a lot to deal with and you’re trying to do that all alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have you.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. Stone saved your life. He’s the father of your child. And more important, he’s the man you’ve been in love with since you were eighteen. You are not happy here.”
“Being here and doing this is what I wanted. Or I thought so anyway.” My voice did not sound convincing.
“It’s okay to want something completely different. You’re allowed to change your mind.”
I glanced back at the phone, shocked to see the young man standing beside Stone as he was swarmed with reporters. Tingles swept through me, a jolt of electricity that I hadn’t experienced since I left. “Look. That’s my son.” I’d told her everything. I’d also cried on Colette’s shoulder.
“That’s Tyler?” Her face lit up.
