Page 82 of One Night in Hawaii

“Let’s grab some breakfast before we go back to my place,” I said.

“I would love that.”

Our first stop was my favorite coffee shop, where I introduced her to the city’s famous bagels and deli sandwiches. We strolled through Central Park, enjoying the green oasis amidst the towering skyscrapers. Shiloh’s initial nerves seemed to melt away as she immersed herself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

“I can’t believe you have this massive park right in the middle of the city,” she said. “It boggles my mind.”

“I think people would go crazy if they didn’t have the park,” I said. “The concrete jungle can be a little much to take in.”

“No kidding.”

“Are you missing the water?” I asked her. “My little mermaid.”

“Not yet,” she said, laughing.

We took a cab to my building. She seemed to be in awe as we stepped into the elevator. When the doors slid open into my foyer, she paused. “The elevator goes to your house?”

“It does.”

We stepped out and walked through the doors that opened to my living room. I heard her suck in a breath. “Holy shit,” she whispered. “You have stairs. In an apartment.”

“It’s three floors,” I told her. “Seven bedrooms. Eight bathrooms.”

She looked at me with her mouth hanging open. “Just for you?”

I shrugged. “Yes.”

“Holy shit. I cannot imagine what you must think about my little boat. I had no idea this is how you live.”

“How Ilived,” I corrected. “It’s not how I’m going to continue to live.”

I gave her the tour and then left her alone while I went to the office. Being away from her was rough but I knew it was the last time for a while. We were only going to be in the city for a few days while I wrapped up loose ends. I was leaving my clothes in my apartment that I planned on keeping for my return to the city. There were only a few things I would be taking back to Hawaii with me. It was nice to have things coming to an end in New York because that meant I was getting ready to start my new life in Hawaii with Shiloh.

“Babe?” I called out when I returned home on our last day in the city.

“In here,” she called out.

“Did you get my surprise?” I asked.

She appeared at the top of the stairs. She was wearing the little black dress I sent her for our last night in the city. “I did,” she said, smiling as she started walking down. “Is it everything you hoped it would be?”

I looked at her and felt my heart jump in my chest. She was so fucking gorgeous. I couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by her beauty. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I had planned something special for our last night in the city, something that would make it a night to remember.

We started with a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city. In Oahu, we didn’t spend a lot of time doing stuff like this. We didn’t go out to expensive restaurants or clubs. We spent our evenings together or hanging out with Penelope and Ryder. It was a slower way of living and I loved it.

After dinner, we ventured into the heart of the city, walking along the bustling streets as the city lights painted a mesmerizing picture. I took Shiloh to some of my favorite spots, reminiscing about the memories each place held. From the hidden jazz clubs to the quirky street art, I shared with her the experiences that had shaped my life in New York. She hung on every word and asked me lots of questions. It was nice to be able to show her where I came from.

As we strolled through Times Square, the neon lights illuminated the night, and the energy of the city pulsed around us. Shiloh’s eyes sparkled with wonder, and I knew she was falling in love with the charm of Manhattan.

“Do you want to get a drink before we go back to the apartment?”

“I’d like that.”

We made a detour to a rooftop bar, where we sat under the starry sky, feeling like we were on top of the world. The skyline stretched out before us, a breathtaking sight that never ceased to amaze me. We laughed and shared stories, relishing the moments as the night unfolded.

When we got back to my building, I was surprised and a little concerned when I saw my father sitting in the lobby. “Dad?”

He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “Son.”

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