Page 4 of One Night in Hawaii

“I don’t have anything.”

“Really?”

“I’m sure something will come up,” I said, shrugging. “It always does.”

“I think you should take advantage of the time off. You have been working nonstop for two years. You’re working right through your twenties. This is supposed to be the time when we get to party and make a million mistakes. You’re always working or thinking about work.”

“I have to work so I can make money.”

“I know, I know,” he groaned. “You want to chase whales to Alaska.”

“I wouldn’t be chasing them. I want to follow them. There’s a big difference.”

“Do you have enough money to do it yet?”

“Close,” I said.

“We should head in,” he said. “Want me to drive while you change?”

“Please.”

He headed upstairs while I went into my bedroom that was just big enough for me to turn around in and get dressed. My living space was all of three-hundred square feet, plus or minus a few feet. I didn’t care. The trawler was older than I was, but it was seaworthy, which was what counted. The person I bought it from was a diver and had it outfitted with all the things a diver would need. The boat was perfect for me. It wasn’t pretty, but it was solid.

I heard the motor start and the anchor pulling up. Ryder was my best friend. He was straight. I was straight but we weren’t interested in each other for anything more than the friendship we had. He spent as much time on my boat as I did. I peeled off my wet suit and hung it up in the small shower. When I said small, I meant it was big enough for me to step in, turn around, and that was it. Just like my bed and my kitchen, which was also my dining room and living room.

Once I was dressed, I climbed up to the deck where Ryder was at the helm. I leaned against the railing, feeling the breeze blowing through my hair. It was the perfect day.

“Hey, there’s a party this weekend,” he said. “You should go. You said you don’t have a job, which means you’ll be docked, right?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “You know how those things are. Women wearing skimpy bikinis, guys chasing the girls, and a lot of alcohol.”

“That’s exactly what they’re supposed to be,” he said, laughing. “It’s called a party. Since when do you care about skimpy bikinis? You spend plenty of time wearing bikinis.”

“Because I’m swimming,” I countered.

“Come on. One party. You’re going to be setting sail soon. You’re going to be all alone on this ugly-ass boat for weeks.”

“Months,” I corrected.

“Which is why you need to get out and party. Do it for me.”

“You know it’s really not my scene,” I told him.

Ryder sighed. “Fine, but at least let me take you out for a nice dinner while you’re docked. I owe you for letting me tag along again.”

“You know I don’t mind you hanging out with me,” I said, smiling. “And I’m not supposed to dive without anyone on board.”

“No, you’re not,” he scolded. It was an ongoing argument. I promised I was safe, but he didn’t like it.

I thought about it for a moment. I didn’t have any other plans, and a free dinner sounded pretty good. “Alright, I’ll go out with you tonight,” I said, smiling.

Ryder grinned back at me. “Great! I know this amazing seafood place down by the pier.”

“Just so you know, you’re buying.”

“Of course. Am I taking the boat to the usual place?”

“Yes,” I said. “I talked to Bree last night. She was cool with me borrowing a slip.”

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