Page 9 of One Night in Hawaii

I tied up my boat and went to the house to see if anyone was home. They were all out, which wasn’t surprising. The guys all loved surfing. They worked just enough to afford the rent and spent every waking moment out on the water. It was a passion I understood.

I had my own keys to Ryder’s Toyota. He rarely drove anywhere, preferring to use his bike and avoid traffic. My first stop was one of my favorite markets. I picked up the essentials, along with some fresh fruits and veggies. There was always an ice chest in the bed of the truck. I stowed the fruit and veggies inside and walked next door to get a Poke bowl.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” A woman wearing a hat the size of Ryder’s Toyota bumped my shoulder. “I guess I should take off my sunglasses.”

“It’s fine,” I said, smiling, and walked past her.

“Oh, that looks good,” she said and pointed at my food.

“It’s the best on the island,” I told her. I could tell she wasn’t a local. Her sunglasses and entire outfit probably cost more than my boat. I didn’t buy designer anything, but it didn’t mean I didn’t look.

“Is it really?” Her face lit up. “Can you tell me which is the best one? I’ve had Poke at home in New York, but I’m willing to bet it’s not nearly as good as here.”

“I haven’t had it in New York, but I think it’s the authentic experience that makes it better.”

I walked back up to the counter and pointed out a few of my favorites. She quickly ordered and paid with a black card. It confirmed my suspicions she was filthy rich. “I’m sorry to be pushy, but I am a New Yorker,” the woman said. “But I’m alone and you appear to be alone. Would you mind if I sat with you? I’d love to pick your brain about the best places to see. I’m here for two weeks and I want to experience everything, not just the stuff the tourists get to see.”

“Sure!” I didn’t have any girlfriends and the woman seemed nice enough. I guessed we were probably about the same age. She had that look about her that said she got massages and mud masks pretty frequently. She was very pretty and I loved her smile. Despite obviously being wealthy, she was very kind and didn’t seem the least bit stuck up.

We sat at one of the small tables outside. The umbrella overhead provided enough shade so we didn’t have to wear our sunglasses. “I’m Penelope but my brother calls me Pip.”

“Pip?”

She laughed, the many bracelets on her left wrist tinkling together. The woman was so effortlessly pretty. Blue eyes, dark hair pulled back into a sleek bun with glowing skin. I was wearing my usual cut-off shorts and a shirt that hung off one shoulder. My wild hair couldn’t be sleek if I tried. Years of sun and saltwater had left it an unruly, frizzy mess of curls.

“My brother couldn’t say Penelope without a great deal of trying,” she explained. “My parents told me it usually came out Pippi. They refused to allow him to call me Pippi. Somehow, it was shortened to Pip.”

“That’s cute. I’m Shiloh.”

“Oh, I love that name,” she exclaimed.

“Thank you.”

“Tell me about yourself. Do you live here full-time? Did you grow up in Hawaii?”

“No,” I answered with a small laugh. She was very inquisitive. “I actually grew up in San Diego. I moved here when I was sixteen to live and work on my uncle’s research. He was a marine biologist. I graduated high school early and then went to the University of Hawaii. I’m a marine biologist too.”

“Oh wow! That sounds so fun!”

“I love it. I love what I do. I’m hoping to follow the whale migration next year as part of my research.”

“Where to?” she asked.

“Alaska.”

“Wow. That is crazy and yet it sounds so fun. I bet we’re close in age and the most exciting thing I’ve ever done is come to Hawaii with my brother on his honeymoon.”

That gave me pause. “You’re with your brother and his new wife on their honeymoon?”

She burst into laughter and waved her hand, showing off her perfect manicure. “Oh no. The wife couldn’t make it. She couldn’t even be bothered to make it to the wedding. She stood up my brother. The poor guy.”

“Ouch! That sounds awful. How sad.”

“Yes and no,” she said, shrugging. “I didn’t really like the woman. She was pretty enough and she came from a good family, but I never got the impression she loved him. After she jilted him, I know I’m right.”

“Your brother took his honeymoon trip anyway?” I asked with surprise.

“I told him he should. My brother is a bit of a workaholic. I thought it would be good for him to get away from the city and all the drama that is going to be waiting for him when he gets back. Hopefully, there will be another scandal and his non-wedding will be forgotten. Unfortunately, he’s not really embracing the beauty of this place. He’s been holed up in the rental house working or pouting. I want him to have some fun. Losing that woman is something to celebrate, not sulk about.”

---