Page 39 of This Could be Love

“One that’s made for you,” Laurie said happily.

I hesitated.

“Come on! I promise we’ll get you home on time.”

“Who’swe?”

“You and me. You, essentially. I don’t have a driver’s license.”

“And how do you know that I do?”

“Don’t you?”

“Of course,” I grumbled.

“Perfect,” she said, and I could just see her rubbing her hands together happily. “Vince is giving us his ride, I’ve already…”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! I haven’t even decided if I’m coming!”

“Well, why not?”

I thought about it feverishly, but nothing came up.

“Fine.” I sighed. “But I have to be home by ten!”

Chapter 17

Kay and I were just coming to the end of our session when Gabe came toward us from the direction of the parking lot. He stopped at the fence, a paper cup full of shave ice in his hand.

“There wasn’t a more colorful one, I take it,” Kay said, picking up a ball by the net.

“Rainbow’s the best one,” Gabe replied, happily shoving the wooden spoon into his mouth.

“You’re here early,” I said, looking at my watch. “I wanted to get in a round at the fitness studio.”

“No problem. I’m busy the way it is.” He raised his paper cup. “I had to deliver the pig to Sunny. It wouldn’t have been worth driving all the way back to Haleiwa.”

“The pig?” I asked at the exact same moment Kay asked, “Is he hosting a luau?”

Gabe nodded and explained, “My cousin Sunny has a B and B. Once a month he hosts a luau in his garden for guests, friends, and family.”

“It’s really nice,” Kay remarked.

“You should come,” Gabe suggested spontaneously. His eyes darted to Kay. “Both of you. Sunny would love seeing you again.”

“You’ve been over there before?” I asked Kay in surprise.

“Once.” Something flickered in her eyes for a moment before her expression turned neutral again. “But that was ages ago.”

“Two years ago,” Gabe said, looking at her.

Her eyes shot toward him, and I could read a lot of contradictory things in them. But above all: sadness. Like a veil across her eyes.

“And that’s today?” I asked when the silence had grown too uncomfortable.

Gabe shook his head. “Tomorrow. But the pig has to go into the underground oven today, so that it’ll be done.”

I wrinkled my nose apologetically. “I told Laurie I’d go to a party with her tomorrow.”