by Liwen Ho
He couldn’t help puffing out his chest a little. After being labeled one of the poor kids at Eden Prep, it felt good to finally measure up to them. “Our father—God rest his soul—made sure we were well provided for when he passed away. We started NeoGene in his honor.”
“I’m so sorry about your father. I had no idea.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. He was a tough man to please, but he did teach us how to work hard and make a living. We learned not to take anything for granted, that’s for sure.” He noticed her serious expression and tried to lighten his tone. “I didn’t mean to put a damper on the mood. My family and I are all in a better place now. Our mother remarried a year ago to someone she met at a charity fundraiser. Our stepfather truly loves her, and not just for her money. Both Gabe and I were relieved about that. It can be hard to know whether someone likes you for you or for your bank account.” He cocked his head and smirked. “Well, I’m sure you know what that’s like.”
Her cheeks reddened again. “I—yeah. I hate when that happens.”
“I always did appreciate how you took a chance on me back in high school even though our family didn’t have much. I think you liked me for me. Or was it because of my car?” he added with a playful grin.
She cracked a smile. “You had a nice car, Devon, but that’s not why I liked you. It wasn’t even your face, as cute as it was.”
“So you thought I was cute?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know I did. But it was more than that. It was your personality, how warm and genuine you were. You were like a breath of fresh air compared to the other kids.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I really wish I hadn’t taken that—you—for granted. I’m so sorry for the way things ended between us.” Her voice faltered. “Can we chalk it up to stupidity and peer pressure on my part? My teenage self should’ve known better, but she didn’t. I’m sorry, Devon.”
He reached out and covered her hand with his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Hey, don’t sweat it. Youth is the best time to be foolish. It gives us the rest of our lives to make up for the things we did that we regret.”
Gratitude shone in her deep brown eyes, making them twinkle. “You are wise beyond your years, Dev. Thank you. You were always a true friend.”
Devon found himself getting lost in Kylie’s eyes like he used to when they were kids. His siblings would likely say he was crazy for letting the past go so easily, but there was no way he could stay upset with her.
He’d always seen beyond her facade and known there was more to her than her perfect clothes, hair, and makeup. She’d confided in him about her dad’s gambling addiction and had cried on his shoulders more than once. He understood she’d given into her insecurities when she chose a rich kid over him. Money had been her—as well as their classmates’—crutch, their main source of security. He hadn’t been able to offer much to her then, but he could more than provide for her now.
With his hand still on hers, he inched forward until their knees touched. The warmth from her bare skin ignited a spark that heated his whole body. He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss along her knuckle. “Speaking of making up for the past, I can’t help but feel this was meant to be, us meeting here like this. I’d love to take you out for a night on the town. For old time’s sake. What do you say?”
Kylie quickly pulled her hand out of his grasp. “That sounds nice, but I shouldn’t. I-I have…” She bit her lower lip. Whatever excuse she was searching for didn’t seem to come. “Sorry.”
Maybe he had read the situation wrong. “Are you seeing someone? I thought you were here with a girlfriend. I shouldn’t have assumed you were single.”
“No,” she cut in, “there’s no boyfriend. I just—I’m not looking for a relationship, if that’s what you’re interested in. Not that I’m assuming you are.”
He suppressed the grin threatening to overtake his lips. He’d never seen Kylie flustered like this before. She’d always been poised and in control when they were younger, reminiscent of a queen bee. Perhaps time and life had grounded her. Either way, he liked this new side to her, even if she was rejecting his offer for a date. So be it. He would rather spend time with her as a friend than not see her at all. “I’d like to rekindle our friendship. Would that be okay with you?”
Kylie’s posture relaxed considerably. She nodded and simply said, “Okay.”
That one word started the gears in Devon’s head spinning. He couldn’t wait to take her on an adventure she’d never forget. He vowed to wow Kylie so much that by the end of the evening, she would have no choice but to rescind her decision to just be friends.
Chapter Four
Kylie
Kylie turned around in front of the full-length mirror, catching a glimpse of her outfit from every angle. The bright yellow cotton poplin dress hugged her torso and flared out at the waist to show off her calves under a full skirt. With a wistful smile, she reminisced about the muscle tone she’d lost in her legs since she stopped dancing. Now at age thirty, she was too old to dance but still young enough to chase after kids.
Being a nanny, however, wasn’t so much of a physical workout as it was a mental and emotional one. The girls in her care needed constant attention, and their mother demanded perfection. Kylie often wondered how long she’d last in this job. A good layer of makeup hid the dark circles under her eyes, concealing how tired she really was. How tired she’d been the last decade trying to make ends meet. It wasn’t just herself she was supporting; she paid for her mother’s rent and food as well. Ever since her father had squandered their life savings away, she’d become the breadwinner. Working as a nanny for one of the wealthiest families in the Bay Area was a grueling job, but it did pay the bills.
“You look so good, girl!” Tabitha squealed behind her. “I bet you’ll have Devon eating out of your hand by the end of the night.”
Kylie rolled her eyes at her friend who sat on one of the beds in the guest house where the two of them were staying. The family Tabitha nannied for had also come along on this trip as the children were all classmates at the same school. Kylie was thankful for Tabitha’s company and for lending her a dress for this evening. “It’s all thanks to you. I didn’t bring anything suitable for an evening out. I didn’t think I’d be going on a date—not that this is a date,” she quickly corrected herself.
“It is so a date! With a handsome and rich man, no less.” Sighing, Tabitha shot Kylie a longing glance. “Say you’ll remember me when you marry up. You’ll still come and visit me in the poorhouse, won’t you?”
“You’re too much, Tabs. I think you missed your calling as an actress.” Kylie slid her feet into a pair of Tabitha’s heels and grabbed her purse off the bed. “I’m not marrying anyone, much less Devon Brooks. We’re totally different people now. I’m sure he wouldn’t give me the time of day in the real world.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “He’s just lonely here in Hawaii. There’s something about this place that makes you want to do romantic things.”
“Whatever the reason is, you’re the one going out tonight, not me. I’m both jealous and happy for you.” Tabitha stepped forward to give Kylie a quick hug. “This is just the break you need before going back to work tomorrow. I have a feeling we’re going to have our hands full with the kiddos during the charity golf event. Those things go on forev … er.” She drawled out the last two syllables a few extra beats. “You’d think they were playing 88 holes, not 18!”
Kylie laughed at Tabitha’s cross-eyed expression. The tension in her shoulders and back fell away for a moment. She didn’t realize how much stress her body had been taking lately. Her mom’s recent health problems were taking a toll on her, too. She should be back home seeing to her care, not a time zone away. But the only reason she was here in Hawaii was to make money to pay for rent. Just a few more days and she would be able to go home to the Bay Area.
But first, she had an evening to get through with her ex-boyfriend.
Thinking of Devon m
ade goosebumps rise along her arms. He hadn’t changed much at all since they were teenagers. If anything, he was more mature and charming—not to mention, well off—which put him way out of her league. Honestly, a part of her had only agreed to see him tonight out of guilt. She’d treated him so badly as a kid that she wanted more than anything to make him happy. And if saying yes to an evening out made him smile, she’d go along with his plan.
There was also a big part of her that longed to see him again. What woman wouldn’t jump at the chance to spend time with a man who looked at her the way Devon did? If only for one night, she’d pretend to be someone she wasn’t. She just had to make it back in time to get a good night’s sleep and be up bright and early tomorrow morning for real life.
“I wish I could bring you with me, Tabby. You deserve a night out, too.”
“Hey, don’t worry about me. I’m going to catch up on some TV and run a hot bath for myself—one without bubbles and squeaky toys.” Tabitha paused to chuckle. “Actually, I’m going to keep the bubbles. I love popping them. But you should run along now and enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks, Tabs. I’ll have enough fun for the both of us.”
“You do that. Sneak a little champagne for me, too!” she added with a mischievous grin.
Kylie balked. “You know that’s against our contract.”
“It’s your day off. The alcohol will be out of your system by morning.”
She shook her head in chagrin. The last thing Kylie wanted to do was jeopardize her job. There was to be no drinking, even on their day off. That’s why she hadn’t taken a sip of the champagne Devon had offered her earlier today, as much as she wanted to. She hoped she’d be able to stick to her guns this evening as well.
“Live a little,” Tabitha piped up as if she could read Kylie’s thoughts. She gave her a gentle push out the door, propelling her toward whatever the evening entailed. “Text me if you’re going to be late, so I know not to wait up for you.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be home well before midnight.” Kylie waved goodbye and set down the driveway toward her rental car.
With butterflies in her stomach, she drove the minivan onto Ehukai Street heading north. When she had insisted on driving herself to their rendezvous location, Devon had texted her with directions to a nearby harbor. They had exchanged messages back and forth like two teenagers, complete with fun little emojis. She had looked forward to his texts, reading each one multiple times as if they were from a boy she had a crush on. That wasn’t too far from the truth. Devon evoked emotions in her that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Hope and happiness seemed within reach again. She finally felt like she was living, not just surviving.
For once, Kylie had something to look forward to. She assumed Devon was planning to take her on a sunset cruise. She hardly cared what they would be doing though. An evening out was just what she needed to relax and unwind. And who better to spend it with than an old friend? Because that’s exactly who Devon was to her—nothing more. If she had to repeat that to herself all night to convince her heart, she would.
Chapter Five
Devon
Devon couldn’t get over how beautiful Kylie looked when he met her in the parking lot of Keauhou Bay. She’d pulled into the cul-de-sac in a minivan of all things, but the vehicle only served to make her stand out even more as she exited it. The juxtaposition of her elegance next to the family car made him chuckle out loud. “Did they run out of sports cars at the rental place?”
Kylie’s cheeks flushed as she took his hand. “Oh yeah, there was a mix-up with my reservation. But I have plenty of room for my luggage with this thing.” She quickly shut the door and squeezed out a smile as she took him in. “You look really good.”
“Thanks.” He straightened his posture, feeling the confidence her compliment gave him coursing through his body. Laurene had given him some pointers on pairing a light blue shirt with dark gray trousers for tonight, for which he was grateful. Even though his sister had cautioned him against seeing Kylie, he hadn’t listened to a word she said. Thank goodness he hadn’t because there was nowhere else he’d rather be but by her side. He lifted Kylie’s hand to his mouth for a kiss before letting it rest in his grasp. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” She glanced around the area, which consisted of a grassy park on their right with several picnic tables and a small stretch of black sand beach. Several families with small children were packing up their belongings, their laughter and conversations filling the air. Kylie glanced down at her high heels and pursed her lips. “I hope I’m dressed okay for the occasion. I wasn’t sure what you had in mind when you said to meet you here.”
“You look perfect. Come on, let’s get going. The sun will be setting soon, and we don’t want to miss it.” He led her along the edge of the grassy field, past a sand volleyball court and a small shop renting out kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and outrigger canoes. They headed onto an old boat ramp where his surprise waited for them on the crystal blue water.
Kylie’s jaw dropped when they reached the end of the ramp. Her reaction was worth every penny—5.3 million to be exact—that he had spent on his new yacht.
Actually, a floating spaceship was more like it.
Its sleek and shiny dome-shaped exterior resembled the top half of a helmet. Large rectangular windows covered one side of the futuristic-looking vessel with a balcony on the other. What couldn’t be viewed from the outside were the yacht’s four levels, all connected by a spiral staircase. The lowest level, submerged at nine feet below the surface, offered an underwater observation bubble with a 360-degree view. That was the spot Devon couldn’t wait to take Kylie. Excitement rose within him as he thought about showing off his new purchase. His plan to impress her was already set in motion.
“Where in the world did you find this?” She gave him a questioning glance, her deep brown eyes twinkling with awe. “I thought we’d be going out on a boat, but this is unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
“I called in a favor with one of my father’s old business associates. This beauty is only one of a handful available in the world. If you think the exterior is cool, wait until you see the inside.” He hopped onto the yacht then reached out a hand to help her on board. A uniformed butler promptly greeted them and escorted them into the cabin.
Several bright lights cast a warm glow on the luxurious space. Two semi-circular white leather sofas faced each other on one side of the room. A rectangular table with an impressive spread of food—from hors d’oeuvres to desserts—stood on the other side next to a wine bar. Devon walked over to the bar, picked up two glasses of champagne, and presented one to Kylie. He raised his glass and proposed a toast. “To old friendships and new toys. Cheers.”
Kylie clinked her glass with his, hesitating before she took a drink. She released a soft sigh and took another sip. “This is so good. I could get used to this.”
Devon chuckled at her obvious pleasure. “You sound like you’ve never tasted champagne before.”
“Oh, it’s just been a while since I did.” She turned away from him to glance out a window. The sun was beginning to set, painting streaks of orange and pink across the blue expanse of the sky. “It’s so beautiful. Somehow the sunsets here are more vibrant than the ones back home.”
He strode over and stood behind her. The sweet floral scent of her perfume filled his senses, intoxicating him more than the alcohol. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gazed out at the scenery. “I’d have to agree. It may have something to do with who you watch a sunset with.” He paused to laugh. “That sounded less cheesy in my head. But I mean it, Ky. Everything looks more beautiful with you in it.”
Kylie turned slightly and glanced up, craning her slender neck to meet his gaze. A mixture of amusement and discomfort colored her cheeks. “Thanks for the compliment, Dev. You’re a really sweet friend.”
He stepped back when he heard the emphasis she placed on the last word. Perhaps he was laying it on t
oo strong. He considered taking a different approach. If friendship was what she wanted—and what he had agreed to—he’d stick to more casual conversation. “So, I’ve talked a lot about myself, but I haven’t heard much from you. How’s your family doing?”
A pained expression crossed her face. “My family? My mom’s been struggling with back pain from a fall she took recently, but she’s doing better.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How about your father? How is he?”
“He’s fine.”
Her curt tone surprised him. As a matter of fact, her whole demeanor—how she had suddenly crossed her arms tightly against her chest—threw him off. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
She gave him a tight smile. “I’d prefer not to talk about him if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. So, what have you been up to lately?”
“Not much, really,” she began with a shrug. “You know, shopping and traveling. The usual stuff people with money do.”
Devon nodded. It sounded like what his sister did with her time. “Do you work? Not that you need to, of course.”
“I, um, keep myself busy.” She lowered her lashes. “I support some charities in my free time.”
His ears perked up at her last statement. “That’s wonderful. Have you heard of the one Katrina and Kristopher Jones are putting on for cancer research tomorrow? It’s a golf tournament. That’s one of the reasons I’m here, to put a plug in for our company.”
Kylie’s head whipped up as a coughing fit suddenly consumed her. She spewed out some of the champagne she’d been sipping, her face flushed red. “Sorry, it went down the wrong tube.”
He grabbed a handful of napkins from the bar and handed them to her. “It happens. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She cleared her throat as she dabbed at the front of her dress. “Is there a restroom I can use?”
