Keeping Kama

Chapter 4

The meal wrapped up. Derek pushed out his seat, standing. “Can I help with the dishes?” He carried his plate to the sink.

Everyone else at the table, minus Noa, stood too, bringing their plates and cups to the sink.

“I’d appreciate it,” replied Teresa. After placing her dish in the sink, Teresa pivoted toward them. “Kai and Alana need to get home to get their children into bed.” Walking back, Teresa rested a hand on Noa’s shoulder. “Then I can help Noa get ready for bed.” Holding out her hands, Noa took both.

Slowly, Noa rose. They left the kitchen.

Interlocking his fingers with Alana’s, Kai gave them a squeeze. Peering over at them, Kai said, “Goodnight, Leia and Derek. Thanks for doing the dishes.” Over his shoulder Kai said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Derek. Come on, kids.”

Malia and Hilo gave Leia a hug before disappearing with their parents.

With a nod, Derek replied, “Until tomorrow.”

Once everyone exited, the kitchen became eerily quiet, leaving him alone with Leia. Wasting no time, Derek flipped on the faucet. Gripping the sponge, he squeezed soap onto it.

Pushing off the counter, Leia came up beside him. Derek sensed Leia wasn’t happy about him joking about marrying her. It wasn’t like he was some love expert, but sometimes when Derek was nervous, he talked too much and forgot to use a filter. And Leia made him way more nervous than he’d ever been around any other woman. So, he rambled, stuck his foot in his mouth, and managed to act like a jerk. Well done. If he could go back, he’d redo the entire exchange. Maybe even make a comment about how the other men had gotten it wrong by not dating her. Something smooth and less Derek-like.

“I can help you load the dishes. I’ll dry the bigger stuff that doesn’t fit into the dishwasher.” She removed a dish towel from a drawer, placing it on the counter. “Sound good?”

Feeling jittery, Derek rinsed the dish in his hands way more than was necessary. “It works for me,” replied Derek. Turning, Leia leaned against the counter, facing him. Derek sensed she was studying him. With the dish done, Derek held it out to her. “Here you go.”

Taking it from him, Leia popped open the dishwasher door, pulling out the bottom rack. She placed the rinsed dish on the bottom rack then leaned back against the counter.

For a few minutes, Derek scrubbed the dishes then handed them to Leia. Leia loaded them without a word. Both worked in near silence. Derek longed to think of something to say to engage Leia in a conversation. But his mind couldn’t form a thought beyond Leia’s beautiful and you’ve already messed this up . From the open kitchen window, Derek could hear the ocean waves. He tried his best to focus on the rhythmic crashing of the waves and not the skittish beat of his heart.

Derek moved onto the bigger pots and pans, scrubbing the pot vigorously. Finally, when he could no longer take the pulsating silence, Derek said, “I’m sorry about earlier.” He flipped back on the faucet, rinsing the pot off. He held it out to Leia, and she took it for him with a towel in her hands.

Then, stopping mid-wipe, Leia asked, “What specifically are you sorry about?”

“I’m sorry I joked about marrying you for a recipe.” Derek moved onto a pan, scrubbing off the stuck-on food at the bottom. Once he figured it was clean enough, he rinsed the soapy water off the pan. “Sometimes, I say things without thinking. It’s one of my many flaws that I’m working on. I was totally out of line, and I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

Leia bit her bottom lip. “I see …” She finished drying the dish in her hand. Opening a cupboard near her feet, she placed the dish inside and shut the door.

Derek gulped, shutting off the faucet. Water dripped from the pan in his hands. He lightly tried to shake off the excess water. “I don’t need another reason for you to hate me.” He held the pan out to Leia.

Taking the pan from him, Leia methodically dried it. Sighing, Leia finally said, “I think you’re too late.” Opening the bottom cupboard, Leia placed the pan inside. “I was going to hate you no matter what. You’re potentially buying half my family’s farm. You were doomed to begin with, so I wouldn’t worry too much about your marrying me comment. I’m over it. I can see you are a bit of a jokester.”

His lips curled at the edges. Derek replied, “I can’t help it. Life is too short and too difficult to take anything too seriously.” Squeezing more soap onto his sponge, Derek reached for the rice pot and started to scrub.

Leaning against the counter, Leia crossed her arms and ankles. “So, mister jokester … since you started it, have you ever been married?” asked Leia.

Derek froze. The soapy water dripped down the sides of his hands. With the back of his hand, he swiped at an itch on his nose. “How did you leap to asking me if I’ve ever been married?” He raised an eyebrow, meeting Leia’s gaze.

Jutting up her chin, Leia replied, “I figured you haven’t, because if you had you wouldn’t be able to joke around about it. You’d be … tainted.”

“Ahh.” Derek flipped on the faucet, rinsing off his hands along with the soapy water on the pot. Once the water ran clear, Derek turned it off. “You’re spot on. I’ve never been married.” He tried his best to keep his voice even and undeterred.

Leia gave an almost indistinguishable nod. Derek handed her the dripping pot. Taking it from him, Leia quickly dried it and put it away. The dishes were done. Leia used the wet towel to wipe down the counters. Derek tried to make himself useful by scooting the chairs back in around the table.

With the kitchen clean, both leaned against the counter, their shoulders touched accidentally, and Leia shifted a few inches over. Derek wondered if Leia was waiting for him to leave. He listened to the ocean waves, feeling his heart tug within his chest.

Breaking the lull, Derek said, “I’ve come close a few times.”

A look of confusion fluttered across Leia’s face. “Come close to what?” Leia shifted, moving her hip against the counter instead of her back.

Derek stared out the kitchen window, away to the ocean. “To marrying. The first time was way back in my twenties. I even bought the ring and everything. But the night I was going to propose, she up and announced she was moving to England and wanted to break up.”

Leia cringed. “Ouch. That’s brutal.” Shaking her head, Leia asked, “What did you do with the ring?”

Giving a forced laugh, Derek stated, “You mean the ring I spent my life savings on?”

Leia tsked, “Oh dear, tell me you were able to return it.”

Folding his arms, Derek replied, “I couldn’t take it back to the store. Trust me, I tried. I was outside of the return window, and they didn’t care. They weren’t budging no matter what, even when I tried to make them feel sorry for me. I don’t imagine I was the first guy who was rejected and tried to get their money back. So, I sold it on eBay for a fourth of its value.”

Lifting her brow, Leia replied, “eBay? Yikes. I’m sorry.”

Shrugging, Derek said, “I guess it worked out for the best.”

“How so?” asked Leia.

“I took the few thousand dollars I recouped from the ring and used it to start this very investment company with my best friend, Tyson.” Unfolding his arms, Derek straightened himself. “Tyson added a few thousand of his own money to the pot, and together we’ve worked to build the company to what it is today. I know if I hadn’t been rejected there’s no way I would’ve taken such a chance on it. But at the time I thought I had hit rock bottom, so I had nothing to lose.”

“Impressive.” Leaning in closer to him, Leia asked, “What was the first thing you ever invested in?”

Her question caught him off guard. Usually, people asked how much his business had grown since then or about his latest investment ventures. “It was a gardening business. Our friend started it, and he needed a few thousand to purchase some more gardening equipment. Just enough for him to expand his business to where he could have people working under him.”

“Did it work?” asked Leia.

Derek nodded. “He expanded his business, and we tripled our little pot of money. It helped us get started toward other business investments. Little by little Tyson and I built this investment company to what it is today.”

“Wow, that’s wonderful.” Leia gripped the counter on both sides of herself. Staring out the window too, she paused, then finally said, “You said you came close to marrying a few times, who else broke your heart?”

His throat grew tight. “My girlfriend just broke up with me through a text message. Like literally right before I came here. I thought I was going to propose when I returned from Hawaii. I hadn’t bought the ring yet, so I guess I dodged a bullet,” said Derek.

Leia placed a hand over his own. “I’m sorry. I’m glad you hadn’t bought the ring yet.” She removed her hand.

Running a hand through his hair, Derek said, “I guess that’s my silver lining in this whole thing.” They both stared out at the ocean. Silence enveloped them with only the sound of the ocean filling the space. Finally, Derek said, “Truth is, I’d probably been trying to hang onto something that hadn’t worked for an extraordinarily long time. But I never thought I’d be this age and not married.”

Derek didn’t know why he was spilling everything to Leia. But he liked how she listened and didn’t interrupt him. It gave him some time to work through his emotions. Most women he dated never gave him a chance to get a word in edgewise. Leia was different. She asked thoughtful questions.

“I’m sure you’ll make it happen someday,” said Leia.

Lost in his train of thought, Derek tried to catch up. “Make what happen?” asked Derek.

Straightening herself, Leia ran a finger over the top of the slick countertop. “The getting married. You’ll find someone.”

“Ahh … but apparently not anytime soon,” said Derek.

Leia pursed her lips together, glancing toward the front door. After a little lull, Leia said, “Thanks for coming to dinner and for helping with the dishes.”

Derek took that as his cue to leave. He probably had way overstayed his welcome. Pushing off the counter, he said, “Thank you for having me. I enjoyed spending the evening with you and your family.”

With a smile, Leia said, “Thanks. I don’t want to keep you.” Leia moved toward the exit of the kitchen. “I’ll walk you out.”

Derek followed behind Leia down the hallway to the front door. Her hair swung back and forth across her shoulder blades, and Derek found himself mesmerized by how it glistened under the overhead lights.

Once at the front door, Leia opened it and held it for him. “Where are you staying while you’re here in Oahu?” asked Leia.

Through the open door, Derek shifted back to face Leia. “I have an Airbnb I rented up the road.” He moved his shoulder in the correct direction. “I walked here because it’s not far. It’s maybe five to ten minutes on foot.” He took a sidestep.

Nodding, Leia stepped further out onto the lanai. Putting a hand on her hip, Leia looked out at the water. Tracking her gaze, Derek took in the breathtaking view of the ocean. Soothing sounds of the ocean waves relieved the stress in his body. The moon lit up the night sky, casting a glow on the water. Derek understood why people lived here forever. Why would you ever leave a view like that? No wonder Leia’s family was so protective of their land. If he had a choice, he’d stay here too.

Folding her arms against herself, Leia said, “I guess I’ll see you soon.” She peered down at her feet then back over at him. “I’ll try and work on the books tonight and make sure everything is up to date. Then I’ll email them over to you.”

He shoved his hands into their pockets, Derek said, “If you don’t mind, can you send them to Tyson too? It makes it easier than forwarding everything on to him.”

Unlocking her arms, Leia tucked some loosened strands of her hair behind her ears. “Of course, no problem.”

Derek forced himself to look away from her, because he didn’t want her to catch him staring. “Thanks,” he said.

Derek and Leia stared out at the ocean. With only a foot between them, Derek caught the scent of her perfume. His stomach swam, making heat slowly crawl up his neck and cheeks. Forcing himself to move, Derek took a step away, moving toward the stairs.

“I already know you’re an early riser.” Derek shuffled back and forth on his heels. “Do you try to make it to bed early?”

Shrugging, Leia scratched her elbow. “When I’m teaching, I make more of an effort to go to bed at a decent hour. Especially, when I know I’m going to be in a room full of kids, and I’ll need to be patient. But I’m on a short fall break, so it doesn’t matter when I go to sleep.”

“Makes sense.” A slow smile crept across Derek’s face. “I’m sure the kids love you though.” Derek rubbed the back of his neck. He knew he was prolonging their conversation, but Derek couldn’t force himself to leave. The casual back and forth between them was a positive change to what he was used to. His ex-girlfriend spent most of her time taking pictures of herself to post on social media. With a little bit of distance from his ex, Derek was starting to see how wrong they were for each other. “I happen to remember most of my grade school teachers fondly. I’m sure your students feel the same way about you.”

Folding her arms, Leia rubbed her biceps like she was attempting to stay warm from the slight breeze. “It’s fun to run into some of the students I had years ago and see them all grown up.” Leia tilted her chin toward him and added, “I’m sure you were a top-notch student.”

“Guilty,” laughed Derek. “I was a total teacher’s pet and a major nerd.”

Leia flashed him a sideway glance and tsked. “I believe you were a teacher’s pet, but I don’t believe you were a nerd. I’m sure you were some cool California surfer boy.”

He straightened his shoulders, Derek said, “I mean, I do know how to surf …”

Dang, Derek wanted to impress her.

Leia’s gaze roamed over him. “I assume that’s why you thought you were a strong enough swimmer to go out into Shark’s Cove alone.”

With a nod, Derek replied, “I did overestimate my abilities. I tend to do that often. It’s one of my many flaws.”

Playfully, Leia shoved his arm. “Again, with the flaws.” Her lips twitched at the corners. “I want to see you surf.”

Derek knew he shouldn’t have mentioned his surfing skills. With how strong Leia was as a swimmer, he could only imagine she dominated surfing too. If they did go surfing, Derek would no doubt become a total joke to her.

“I haven’t surfed in years.” Derek almost mentioned the last time he surfed was before his mom died. “I imagine I’m very rusty.”

“You’re in Hawaii. You must go surfing,” said Leia.

“I wouldn’t even know where to go.” Derek tapped his shoulder once against hers. “And I don’t have a surfboard.”

Leia smirked. “You’re in luck.” Though they weren’t touching, Derek swore he felt her heat radiating off her body. He forced himself to swallow. “We have plenty of surfboards to share. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I know the best spots. One morning this week,” she pushed a finger into his chest. “I’m taking you surfing.”

“Ahh.” Derek rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m immediately regretting mentioning I surf. You’re going to put me to shame. I can tell by the smug look on your face that you are an expert surfer.”

Leia jutted her chin and whipped her hair over shoulder. “I don’t have a smug look on my face,” said Leia matter-of-factly. Straightening her shoulders, Leia continued, “I think perhaps you’re scared, because maybe you don’t surf at all.” She cocked an eyebrow. “And I caught you in your lie?”

“Is that what you think?” Derek laughed, loosening the pent-up nerves building in his chest. “I surf.”

Throwing her hands down at her side, Leia said, “I can meet you on Thursday morning, six o’clock, meet here. We can take my parent’s truck to fit the surfboards. I’m taking you to Pipeline Beach.”

Derek knew he should refuse. His carefully guarded business boundaries were going out the window. In the past, Derek always kept business strictly business. If he became too involved with his clients in their personal life, it made it impossible for him to think clearly.

More importantly in this situation, Leia would no doubt surf in circles around him. And Derek hated to lose, but on the other hand, he rarely backed down from a challenge. Redemption would be his.

“Then it’s settled.” Derek stared directly back at Leia. He paused, waiting for her to rescind her offer. Leia didn’t bat an eye. Taking the front steps, Derek said over his shoulder. “I’ll see you later then.” At the bottom of the stairs, Derek twisted back around. “You better be ready to eat my dust.”

Smirking, Leia replied, “Oh will I? You’re on.”

Derek laughed and left. Leia remained on the lanai, watching him walk toward his Airbnb.

His blaring alarm woke him up early in the morning. Quickly, Derek dressed in his board shorts and a T-shirt, remembering to bring his towel, wetsuit, and wallet on his way out the door.

As he approached Leia’s house, Derek spotted a truck idling in the driveway. Leia appeared walking down the driveway, carrying a surfboard under one arm. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun. Dressed in shorts and a tank top, Leia’s swimsuit straps were poking out.

Derek gulped, extra aware of his attraction to Leia. The thought of seeing her in a swimsuit made his nerve ends simmer.

When she spotted him, Leia smiled brightly. “Aloha, Derek.” She slid the surfboard into the back of the truck.

Derek finally remembered how to speak. “Hi, Leia.” He stopped at the back of the open truck bed, a few feet from Leia. “Can I help you load anything else up into the truck?”

The windows of the truck were rolled down, blasting out Hawaiian music. He tossed his towel and wetsuit into the back of the truck.

“I only need to load up the surfboard for you.” Moving back toward the garage, Leia waved him on. “Maybe you should come pick one out. We need to find one that is the correct size for you.” Over her shoulder, Leia added, “I don’t need you claiming you didn’t surf well because you had the wrong size board.”

Derek forced a laugh. “Absolutely. You’re completely right.”

After he filed around the truck, Derek followed Leia back to the detached garage at the end of the driveway. It was filled with beach stuff: beach chairs, surfboards in every size imaginable, coolers, umbrellas, and piles of sand toys.

Shimmying her body sideways, Leia squeezed through a small path to the wall with the surfboards. She cradled one, meeting Derek’s gaze. “Let see what board will work.” Leia glanced between him and the surfboard. “You need it extra-long, right?” she grinned.

With an eye roll, Derek replied, “Hilarious.” Weaving his way through the mountains of stuff, Derek stopped in front of the array of surfboards lining the side of the garage wall. Leia rifled through a few, and Derek did the same. Finally, he found one that he thought would work. Snatching it, Derek said, “Can I use this one?” He pulled it all the way out from the rack.

Leia peered around the surfboard toward Derek. For a few seconds, Leia’s gaze slid up and down Derek and the surfboard. Biting her bottom lip, Leia finally said, “I think it will work. That’s the board Kai usually uses, and he’s an excellent surfer.”

As he scrutinized the board, Derek asked, “Will Kai care that I’m borrowing it?” Somehow, he had managed to get off on a good foot with Kai, Derek didn’t want to jeopardize their rapport with one another by using his prized board without permission.

“Kai hasn’t surfed in a long time. He won’t care at all.” Leia unhooked a wetsuit from where it hung on the wall. “Come on. Let’s head out.” Then Leia walked to the side of the garage. Derek followed her with the surfboard in his arms. She stopped in front of a keypad to the left of the garage door and punched in a code. Slowly, the garage door lowered. “Are you ready to be creamed?” asked Leia, as she gave him a sideways glance.

His back stiffened. Something told him he was about to make a complete fool of himself. “Are you?” he countered, though he felt extremely far from the confidence he was trying to exude.

Her lips puckered together, and then Leia scoffed. “I guess we’ll see who’s bluffing soon enough.” Leia stepped toward the truck. “Let’s hit the road.”

Both walked down the long driveway, Hawaiian music blared back at them. Derek loaded the surfboard into the back. Leia tossed in her wetsuit and towel, closing the tailgate. Then they both walked around to their respective sides and climbed in.

After they settled into the cab of the truck, Leia turned down the music a tad. “I purposely had Hawaiian music playing for your arrival,” stated Leia. Her lips twitched in an incredibly cute way. Derek forced himself to look out the windshield. “I needed you to hear good music.”

Derek laughed. “Okay, enlighten me.” Turning his body toward hers, he asked, “Who should I be listening to?”

To reverse the truck, Leia rested her arm along the back of the bench. Slowly, she backed her way out of the driveway, turning on to the road.

“Umm, what do you think of this song?” Leia reached forward, turning the music up a little louder.

Leia drove down the road. For a minute, Derek concentrated on the words and melody of the song. He liked the rhythm and beat, finding it soothing and cathartic like music he’d want to listen to if he was out on a catamaran, sailing.

Finally, when the song ended, Derek remarked, “I like it. Who sings it?” He fidgeted with the end of his boardshorts, caught himself and placed his arm along the back of the truck bench.

“Kolohe Kai,” replied Leia. Tilting her head nearer, she continued, “He beats Tom Petty. No contest.”

His hands went up in defeat, Derek said, “We don’t need to fight. We can like different artists, but I like the sound of this artist’s voice. Can you play another one of his songs?”

They made a left onto the two-way highway, Leia flipped through two songs until she landed on another song by Kolohe Kai.

The words of the song were displayed across the dash, Derek read them out loud, “Cool Down.”

Shifting in his seat, Derek glanced at Leia. Her gaze held steady on the road, but Leia seemed more at ease, relaxed in a way Derek hadn’t seen before. Without even thinking, he tapped his fingers against the grey fabric of the truck bench.

Leia bobbed her head to the beat. “Listen …” She glanced out her window, staring at the ocean then back at the road. “This might be my favorite song he sings.” Her lips curled up at the corners, forming a half-smile, like she was trying to hold back her enthusiasm. It made Derek like her even more.

Intently, he took her instructions. Derek listened to the not-quite-reggaeton beat. As he stared out the window at the ocean, he admired the view as the sunrise sneaked above the water. Golden light dripped in through the window, casting a captivating glow on Leia’s face.

Derek scratched his chin. “What’s ohana?” He allowed himself to further study the silhouette of her face. “The song says, ‘Go grab your ohana’. I’m just wondering about the meaning.”

After she readjusted the rearview mirror, Leia double checked it. Then she flashed him a quick gaze, before staring back through the windshield. “Ohana means family. So, grab your family is what it’s saying.”

“Oh, duh.” Derek tapped the heel of his hand against his forehead. “I should know that by now. I’ve heard it a lot. I guess I never took the time to ask or find out.” He placed a hand over his chest. “I apologize.”

Leia shifted in her seat. “You don’t need to apologize. You asked.” Her lips twisted into a full, heart-stopping smile. Geez, Derek could live off that smile for who knows how long. “And now you know.”

Heat hit his cheeks. Derek forced himself to look away out toward the ocean. More light creeped into the truck. Taking the sunglasses which hung from the top of his collar, Derek put them on. Leia flipped down her visor and a pair of sunglasses came tumbling down. Impressively, Leia seized them with one hand without them dropping to her lap. She put hers on too.

Next, Leia rolled down the windows. They seemed to be getting more comfortable with one another as each mile passed. Derek let his arm hang out the window on his side. They listened to the music of Kolohe Kai the entire way to Pipeline Beach. As they pulled into the parking lot, Derek leaned forward to fully take in the sight of the beach. He gulped. The waves were bigger than he normally surfed. Seeing he had years of absence from the sport, Derek started to question his judgement in agreeing to come.

Moisture tickled Derek’s brow, and he swiped at it. As Derek pointed toward the waves, he asked, “How tall do you think those waves are?” He rubbed his jaw.

After she turned off the ignition to the truck, Leia traced the length of his arm pointing to the ocean. “I don’t think they’re unusually high. Maybe nine feet. You should see it when the waves are like twenty feet. It’s too dangerous for me to even try it.” Leia tapped her shoulder against his as amusement filled her eyes. “Why? Are you nervous?” asked Leia.

The stubble on his jaw suddenly felt itchy. Unconsciously, he scratched at it. Derek replied, “Me?” He gawked. “Never.” He tried his best to give her a flat look, though he knew Leia saw right through him.

Leia laughed and unbuckled her seatbelt. “You’re such a liar.” Her finger circled his face. “You happen to have fear clearly written all over your face.” With a smirk, Leia added, “I like it.”

Removing his sunglasses, Derek tossed them on the bench in between them. “You like how much I’m flipping out right now?” asked Derek.

In one swift movement, she perched her own sunglasses onto the top of her head. Leia reached out and touched him on the forearm. His churning middle settled. “It’s okay.” Lowering her voice, and without a hint of sarcasm, she said, “I’ll be with you the whole time. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Derek stared into her captivating eyes. A great calm replaced his previous terror. “I believe you.” Unbuckling his seatbelt, Derek continued, “You saved me once. You might have to do it again. But let’s go before I talk myself out of this whole thing.”

With a quick nod, Leia removed her hand, climbing out of the truck. Derek followed.