Page 29 of Blue Hawaiian
“Why don’t you text Gabi and see if she’ll let you have a free day?” Connor asked. His smile was so encouraging, her heart swelled. Damn if she wasn’t reverting to her eighteen-year-old self already.
“Okay. Maybe she won’t care if I miss golf.”
“I’ll stop by your room to check in fifteen minutes,” he said. “You’ll need sunscreen, a water bottle, shoes for hiking, a towel, and…” He grinned. “Bring your bikini. The one you wore to the beach yesterday.”
How could she resist an invitation like that?
Chapter 11
Jess went back to her room and plugged in her phone. Before she lost her nerve, she called her sister. A text would have been easier, but she wanted to face the issue head-on. If Gabi showed any sign of irritation, then she’d suck it up and act like she wanted to spend three painful hours on a golf course.
When Gabi’s phone went to voicemail, Jess was so surprised she hung up. After taking a moment to compose the proper excuse, she tried again, this time leaving a long message.
“Hi, Gabi. It’s Jess. Last night was so fun! Sorry if I had a little too much to drink. Anyway, I saw you’re busy with kitesurfing this morning, so I’m going to explore Lahaina. And I’m gonna pass on golf because I’d just slow the group down. So…I guess I’ll see you at dinner tonight. Have a great day!”
On the chance Gabi didn’t need her, she prepared for her outing with Connor. Opening her suitcase, she squealed in delight at all her clothing options. Though she’d packed two swimsuits, she chose the ruby-red bikini because Connor had admired it. Over it, she put on a tank top and shorts. As she prepared her backpack, she found herself humming.
Get a hold of yourself.
Whatever happened today, even if she and Connor rekindled their friendship, she couldnotlet him charm her into bed. Other than their fling at Big Bear, they’d grown up as friends. Not lovers, but actual friends who’d shared jokes and confided in each other for years.
Thatwas what she should be focusing on. Not sex.
A sharp rap on the door made her heart leap in response. She fumbled as she unplugged her phone, only to drop it on the floor. With trembling hands, she stuffed it and the charger in her backpack.
Chill out. If you don’t calm down, you’ll scare Connor away.
He stood waiting at the door, dressed in a t-shirt, shorts, and hiking boots. On his back was an olive-gray knapsack. “Did you get the all clear?”
She tried not to stare at his muscular legs. Or his broad chest, which filled out his shirt nicely. She was going on this excursion as his travel buddy. Nothing else. “Gabi didn’t answer, but I think it’ll be okay. As long as I don’t miss the big family dinner.”
“You won’t, I promise. I need to be there, too.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.”
Alone with Connor in the elevator, she was drawn in by his physical presence. A glimpse of his scruffy stubble made her wonder what it might feel like, grazing the inside of her thighs. She took a deep breath to center herself, only to catch a whiff of his delicious pinewoods scent. The same scent as the shirt he’d loaned her. A shirt sheneverintended to return.
She tensed when they walked through the hotel lobby, afraid they might run into someone from the wedding party. She didn’t want Gabi to find out, secondhand, that her little sister had blatantly disobeyed her orders. As they pulled away from the resort in Connor’s rental car, a frisson of excitement passed through her. She was going on an all-day expedition with Connor. Anything could happen.
Not that anythingwouldhappen. She’d make sure of it.
* * *
The Roadto Hana started from the town of Paia, an hour’s drive from the hotel. After picking up box lunches from a local deli, they set out, with Jess on map duty. On either side of them, the dense, tropical vegetation made her feel like they were driving through a leafy green tunnel. At first, the twisty curves unsettled her stomach. But Connor had come prepared with a bag of candied ginger in his pack. Though Jess was skeptical at first, a few handfuls of the crystallized candy eased her discomfort. After her nausea had passed, she looked up at the road ahead and stared in disbelief.
“Connor.Connor.Do you see that bridge?”
“What about it?”
“It’sonelane. How’s that supposed to work?”
He shrugged. “The bigger car gets the right-of-way?”
“We’re in a compact. You couldn’t have upgraded to an SUV?” As they approached the narrow bridge, she clenched her fists, worried another vehicle would speed around the blind corner and smack into them, but they passed over it without incident.
“Relax,” he said. “This time of day, everyone’s goingtoHana. No one’s going in the other direction.”
“If you say so.” She unfolded the oversize map and tried to pinpoint their location based on the road markers. “I can’t believe you’re making me use a map. Like an old-time explorer.”
