Page 24 of Fake Dating the SEAL
Billy nodded. “So are we.”
Knowing they would be going shopping today, she’d changed out of her uniform and eagerly waited for him by the service entrance. Purse slung over her shoulder, Sara spotted Kenny’s rental car pulling into the hotel parking lot and smoothed the front of her capris then tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She was feeling ridiculously like a teenager waiting for a first date, which was absurd since this wasn’t a real date. It was a mission. An operation. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.
Hurrying to the curb, she was delighted when Kenny hopped out of the car and circled round to the passenger side.
“You look lovely.” Kenny held the car door as she slid into the passenger seat.
“Thank you.” She buckled in and suddenly she was looking forward to this afternoon more than she had realized.
“I’ll tell you a secret.” He clicked his seat belt into place and flashed a dazzling smile at her. “I’m a terrible shopper.”
For a moment, she’d held her breath, not sure if she was going to like what he had to say, but she exhaled on a laugh. “I don’t know if that’s much of a secret.”
“You know?” His brows lifted higher than his sunglasses.
She shrugged. “For one thing, you’ve mentioned it before, but honestly, I’ve never met a man who liked shopping, never mind was any good at it. It’s why women used to get toasters and vacuum cleaners as birthday gifts for decades. Fortunately for you… I love shopping, especially at Christmas.”
Kenny pulled onto the main drag and flashed that bright smile at her again. “That’s what I was counting on.”
Down the road a short way, she raised her hand and pointed. “Turn left at the next light. We’re going to hit some of my favorite shops first.”
Already, downtown Kona sizzled with a cheerful tangle of festive energy. The air smelled of salt, plumeria, and the sweet scent of roasting nuts from street vendors’ carts. Lights twinkled from palm trees, streetlights, and storefront windows, transforming the small town into a tropical Christmas wonderland.
Easing into a row of angled parking spots along the main street, Kenny looked at the first window and whistled. “Okay,”
“Have you never been here at Christmas before?”
He shook his head.
“Well then, you’re in for a treat. Everyone should experience Kona Christmas Kitsch.”
“Say again?”
She hopped out of the car. “Kitsch. Colorful and whimsical decorations and gifts that reflect tropical and Hawaiian themes.”
“O-kay.” Head tipped to one side, Kenny eyed the first window.
“And that is Kitsch.” A Santa Claus, complete with beard and red coat, balanced on a neon green surfboard while a mechanical wave looped behind him.
“I’ve seen a lot of things in my life,” smiling, he shook his head, “but that may top the list.”
“You mean you’ve never seen Surfing Santa before?” She couldn’t contain her amusement.
“I’ve seen Santas. I’ve seen surfers.” He continued to turn his head from side to side. “But never, in all my visits to the islands have I ever seen them together. At least not sober.”
“So you’ve seen surfing Santas after a few drinks?”
“No. Maybe a pink elephant or two,” he joked.
“We might find a pink turtle or two, but I doubt we’ll find any elephants.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and urged him forward. “Let’s go inside and see what we can find. If we can’t find anything for Maile here, there are a slew of other shops we can check out.”
Inside, Kenny found an ornament similar to the large surfing Santa in the window complete with a lei around his neck and sunglasses. He held it up as if he were examining a diamond in the light.
“Like it?”
“It’s different. Definitely screams Christmas in Hawaii.”
“That it does,” she agreed. “Thinking of it for yourself or someone on your list?”
