What did you say to something like that? Anne had a way of leaving everyone speechless. Julie rolled her eyes. “Well, I guess I’ll have to take one for the team, huh? Night, guys!”
Meg and Anne were still giggling when Julie hung up on them. Time to go meet Lukas and take one for the team. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.
Chapter Eight
Christmas Day was pure bliss. They did nothing but stay in bed together, watch TV, make love, and order room service when they got hungry. Sure, it didn’t have all the trappings of the holidays—there was no tree, no presents, but the day was perfect anyway. Lukas let contentment unfurl inside of him.
They lay sprawled across the sheets, still naked from the last round of mattress gymnastics. Her head rested on his shoulder and he was flipping through channels. “How about It’s a Wonderful Life? It is a Christmas classic.”
She nodded, and her hair slid against his skin. “True, and it ends just in time to get ready for dinner.”
“Do we have plans to do anything other than stay right here?” He stroked a lazy hand up and down her side.
“Yes, we do.” She sat up and pressed a palm to his chest.
“Oh?” He lifted one eyebrow. “Care to let me in on the plans?”
“Well, I have plans anyway.” She offered up a gamine grin. “Since you let me horn in on your reservation the other night, would you like to do the same with me? I’m having Christmas dinner at the Royal Hawaiian—I’d love to have you join me.”
He hummed quietly. “And I would love to join you.”
It sounded as good as anything else, and it meant he’d be with her. He couldn’t think of anything he’d enjoy more.
“Good, then.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and grabbed her cell phone. “Let me just change my reservation. They might be pickier about it that the Rainbow Lanai was.”
He watched her make the call, which he’d done several times today as she’d rung her father, her shop assistant, and each one of her friends. She’d been cheerful and upbeat after all of those calls, except one.
When she hung up, she bounced on the mattress. “Reservation changed.”
“I forgot to ask how your friend is doing today. Karen, isn’t it?”
It was getting easier to ask those kinds of questions—personal, prying questions. It was getting easier to answer them when she asked, too. He’d stopped beating himself up over it. The woman had gotten under his defenses. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he’d had any defenses when it came to her. She’d disarmed him the moment he’d seen her laughing at the rain, before she’d ever said a word to him.
His only saving grace was this would be over in two more days. He ignored the stab of pain in his chest at the thought.
“Yeah, her name is Karen.” Her face softened. “She’s keeping busy. My friends are with her, and I’ll be back in a couple of days to lend a hand.” She pushed her rumpled hair back from her forehead. “It’s funny, I thought I was going to have the shittiest Christmas, being without Eloise, but Karen easily has me beat. Isn’t that sad?”
“Yes, it is.” He held out his hand, and she crawled over until she could settle against him. “It’ll get easier for her, just as it will for you. It’s just a different kind of loss.”
Simple words, but he still hadn’t managed to overcome all of his hang-ups from his divorce. He knew his circumstances with Lilith were extreme, but he could only hope the recovery was smoother for Julie’s friend. A breakup was difficult even under the best of circumstances.
“How long did it take to get easier for you?”
There was a question that cut right to the quick. He fought a wince. “With my father, it took a year or two before it stopped hurting so bad every time I thought about him. I still miss him though.”
“I meant—”
“My divorce, I know.” He heaved a sigh, sliding his palm up and down her bare back. The last thing he wanted to talk about when he was in bed with Julie was the downfall of his marriage. But if it helped to ease her worry for her friend, then he couldn’t deny her. Maybe that made him an idiot, but there it was. Even then, he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. Very few people knew what had happened with Lilith, how bad it had truly gotten, and he didn’t want Julie to know. That was a stroll down memory lane he never wanted to take again. “I’m sure her breakup won’t be as bad as mine. Our divorce strung out for almost two years before it was settled.”
“Wow, that’s crazy.”
He rolled a shoulder in the most casual shrug he could manage. It felt more like a spasmodic jerk. “Told you it was the divorce from hell.”
“I don’t think it’ll be like that for Karen and Tate. If he wanted to hold on to the marriage, he would have tried a little harder while he was in it.” She didn’t seem to notice when Lukas tensed. Her words scraped across old wounds. Some men didn’t try, but Lukas hadn’t been one of them. He’d worked like hell to save his marriage and it hadn’t meant a damn thing in the end. It just made him an even bigger fool for trying so hard. Julie frowned, her fingers curling into his chest hair. “I’m betting Tate doesn’t put up a fight at all, which is sad too. Karen’s worth fighting for. All my friends are. They’re awesome.”
“You’re lucky to have each other.” His voice came out rougher than he meant it to.
Her head came up and she searched his face, but just said, “I know. They had my back when my mom died. And Eloise. I couldn’t have made it through the last twelve months without them.” She lifted a hand and stroked her fingertip down his cheekbone. “What about you? Who helped you get through your divorce? You talk about your colleagues, but not your friends. I’m starting to think you don’t have any.”
Another sore point. “Mmm, yeah, that’s a more complicated question than you think. I met my ex not long after I came to America, so most of the friends we made were…couple friends.”
Her expression was sympathetic, her palm curving over his jaw. “And she got custody in the divorce?”
“Something like that.” The reality was, he hadn’t known how to talk to anyone about what he was dealing with. It was insane and sometimes he’d thought it was making him insane too. Not a chat to have with the husband of his wife’s best friend. “I threw myself into my career after that. It was simpler, so those friends and I just drifted apart.”
She nodded. “What about before you came stateside? No old German cronies?”
That made one corner of his mouth tilt up. Better memories there. “I have a few friends from when I was growing up. We keep in touch over email, but being so far apart means that life gets in the way a lot. Though we try to get together whenever I go back to visit my mother.”
“What are their names?” She tapped the tip of his nose.
“Dieter.”
Her brows arched expectantly. “And…that’s it? I only get one name?”
He widened his eyes innocently. “That’s all I have to give you. There were three of them, all named Dieter.”
She propped herself up on his chest and stared down at him. “Your three best friends had the same name? How did you distinguish between them when you were talking? ‘Hey, Dieter’ wouldn’t be that helpful.”
“We usually just called each other by last name. It worked for us.” Reaching up, he swept a hand through her hair, just for the pleasure of touching her.
“What are the Dieters’ last names?”
“Schmidt, Hoffmann, and Meyer.”
“Schmidt, Hoffmann, Meyer, and Klein.” She rolled the words out slowly. “It sounds like a law firm.”
That made him chuckle. “One of them became a lawyer. One owns a landscaping business, one’s a urologist, and the other is gainfully unemployed with a very wealthy wife.”
She made a little noise in her throat. “A German sugar mama, huh? Impressive.”
He tsked and shook his head. “Sorry. She’s Swiss.”
“Ah, of course. I should have guessed.” She threw up a hand. “I
mean, that’s not special at all. Doesn’t everyone have a Swiss sugar mama?”
“Absolutely everyone.” He pressed his lips together. “I have two.”
She buried her face against his chest, her shoulders quaking with laughter. “Oh my God.”
Being reminded of better times, of who he’d been before his life imploded, was both a blessing and a curse. He wasn’t that man anymore, didn’t have that idealistic streak any longer. Perhaps that was why he’d let so many of his friendships go. Not just because he didn’t know how to tell them what he was going through, but because he didn’t want to think about the younger, more innocent him that his friends had once known. He’d have to see the bitter disappointment he’d become reflected back in their eyes. Maybe it was easier to have people in his life who hadn’t known him before. People like Julie, who accepted who he was now, and didn’t expect him to be someone different.
Maybe he just needed to get a life. He fought a self-derisive snort and rolled his eyes at himself. Suck it up, Klein. It’s Christmas. Save the depressing shit for New Year’s.
Folding one arm behind his head, he waited until she looked at him again before he spoke. “I thought we were supposed to be watching It’s a Wonderful Life.”
She leaned up and kissed him. Their lips clung together, and she slipped her tongue in to tangle with his. “Mmm, forget the movie. You can rent it. I have a better idea about what we can do until dinner.”
“Oh, really?” He pressed the mute button and tossed the remote aside. “Tell me all about it.”
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel was pink. Very, very pink. In-your-face pink. To emphasize what no one could possibly miss, they had pink Christmas trees scattered throughout the lobby.
“Well, it makes a statement,” Lukas commented. His voice was carefully neutral, which told Julie he was probably trying not to snicker.
She arched her eyebrows as she looked around. “I wouldn’t go for this at home, but I think it’s pretty. If you’re going to do pink, do it big.”
“Go big or go home?” He slid his hands in his pockets, eyeing the various shades of rose and fuchsia and mauve and magenta as if they might jump out and bite him.
She bit her lip and shook her finger at him. “Exactly.”
“You look beautiful tonight, by the way.” His grin was boyish. “You look beautiful every night, but especially now.”
“Thank you.” She did a little twirl for him. Her wrap was a pale blue silk, her darker navy dress was fitted and sparkled just a little, and the heels she’d purchased the day she’d arrived went with the outfit even better than the ones she’d forgotten at home.
After pulling a hand free, he skimmed the fringe of her wrap. “You made this as well, right?”
“Right.” She drew the shawl up, knowing that its color complemented her skin. She’d fallen in love with the yarn and just had to have it, and the airy lace pattern she’d used turned out better than she’d expected.
He bent down to kiss the side of her neck. “It’s lovely. And you look lovely wearing it.”
A shiver raced down her skin, and her body warmed, even though they’d gone at it so often today that she should be incapable of response. He just got to her. Turning her head to catch his lips, she kissed him. “Danke.”
“Bitte.” His hands settled on her hips, not drawing her closer, but making the embrace more intimate. Something about this entire day had felt more intimate, as if she’d seen more of the real Lukas. Not that he’d held back in the days they’d been together—she couldn’t put her finger on what was different, but she liked it.
He nibbled on her lower lip, his blue eyes meeting hers as they pulled apart.
“Ready for dinner?” He offered her an arm, and she looped hers through it.
“Absolutely. We have a few minutes to check out the sea view. There’s a sitting area at the end of the hall that’s supposed to overlook the Pacific.” She led the way and grinned when she reached the massive room. There were white arches, wood ceilings, polished floors and miles of plush throw rugs. Beyond the arches were manicured lawns and then the ocean. The atmosphere of the place was decadent and lush.
She cast a glance at Lukas. “Oooh, fancy.”
“That’s what they want you to think.” He chuckled.
“Then they’re wildly successful.” She tugged on his arm to steer him toward the restaurant. “Let’s see if the food is as good as the ambiance.”
In under ten minutes, they were seated and the waitress had brought them each a glass of wine. The restaurant was every bit as beautifully appointed as the lobby and sitting room, and she let herself goggle just a bit at the sumptuous décor. She was used to much simpler settings for her meals, and she liked being able to do something special to celebrate the holiday.
She toasted him. “Merry Christmas, Lukas.”
“Frohe Weihnachten, Julie.” He clinked his glass against hers, the look in his gaze warm enough to make her heart squeeze. She wouldn’t mind having a man look at her like that every day for the rest of her life.
“This vacation has turned out far better than I expected. I just wanted to have a nice getaway. Instead, I got someone to share it with.” She sipped her wine, and its smooth taste lingered on her tongue.
His smile was endearingly self-effacing. “Glad I could improve the situation.”
“You really did.” She set her glass down and toyed with the delicate stem. “Thank you for listening to all of my problems the last few days, especially about Karen. You’ve been really helpful.”
“I’m sorry about her marriage.” He swirled his wine around, his gaze on the deep red liquid. “What about you? We’ve talked about my past. What about yours? Have you ever been in a serious relationship?”
She tilted her head at the change in topic, but saw no reason not to answer. She’d certainly pried into his past, so turnabout was fair play. “Several. One just out of college, but we were too young. A couple since then. One even proposed, but it was his way of trying to salvage a relationship that was already floundering.”
“Fish or cut bait?” He lifted a single brow, which said very clearly what he thought of that kind of attitude.
She twisted her lips. “I think that’s how he was feeling.”
“Why was it floundering?”
Making a face, she sat back in her chair. “He kind of wanted a stay-at-home mom type, like when we married and had kids, I knew he’d want me to give up everything to raise kids and have a hot meal on the table when he got home from work.”
“Not what you want?” His gaze was probing enough that she squirmed a bit. This shouldn’t be an uncomfortable topic. She knew what she wanted, but she’d never found it. Until now. That was the awkward part. Lukas had all the qualities she wanted in a man, only she couldn’t keep him.
She licked her lower lip. “I wouldn’t mind a kid or two, and I don’t judge women who choose the stay-at-home mom gig, but it’s not for me. I feel like I’d resent my children if I were locked in the house with them all day and had nothing that was just for myself.”
The waitress broke in to their conversation when she walked up to set a bread basket on their table. “Hi, folks. Have you had a chance to look over the menu? Can I answer any questions?”
“No questions from me. I’m ready to order.” He glanced at Julie. “Are you?”
“Everything looks good.” An all-day sexfest could certainly work up an appetite.
“Everything is good. The chef let me taste test it all.” The waitress grinned conspiratorially. She was probably in her fifties, with a few crow’s feet around her eyes and a friendly demeanor. “So, where are you fine folks from?”
Julie cradled her wine glass between her palms. “I’m from California, a little south of San Francisco.”
“Nice! Welcome to Hawaii.” Their server glanced at Lukas. “And you?”
“Also from California.” He offered no more information than that, deflecting personal questions the way he usua
lly did with strangers. He was never unfriendly, but he rarely chatted or teased with anyone they’d met. Except with Julie. She got to see a funnier, sweeter side of him than he showed the rest of the world. She had no idea what she’d done to get him to open up even that much, but she was glad for it.
“Ladies first.” Lukas gestured to Julie to allow her to order.
She took another swig of her wine. “I’ll have the prawns, please.”
The waitress nodded and jotted down the order on her notepad. “And for you, sir?”
“The prime rib.”
When the other woman walked away, his bearing became more relaxed and he gave Julie an easy smile. He was clearly an introvert, but she also thought part of his behavior might cover up the fact that he was a little shy. Remaining quiet was a coping mechanism he must have learned over the years, but it pleased her that he seemed so comfortable around her.
“Back to our conversation.” He tilted the bread basket toward her, giving her first choice. “What you said makes sense to me. My career is very important to me.”
She snagged a roll, broke it open, and slathered a bit of butter on it. “Well, it wasn’t so much my career. I was managing an office until Aunt Eloise got sick, and I walked away from that to come help her, but…I was still doing something I loved. It’s hard to put a fine point on the distinction, but if I’d had to be Eloise’s live-in caretaker, I might have gone nuts. Working in Purl Moon was different.”
He waved his butter knife through the air. “I understand the distinction.”
“Do you?” She bit into her roll.
“Absolutely.” He shrugged as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I wouldn’t want to be a stay-at-home dad or live-in caretaker. It’s a demanding, all-consuming role that makes you sacrifice some of your sense of self.”
“Yes. Exactly.” She spread her hands. “So, I guess my kids will have to deal with a nanny or daycare. It’ll give them something to tell their therapist about when they grow up.”
“Don’t be so sure.” He huffed out a breath. “Some of my students have those helicopter parents, who want to call me and check on their grades or come in with them for academic advising. Terrifying people. Not only have they sacrificed their sense of self, they’ve subsumed some of their child’s identity and independence too.”
Hawaiian Holiday: Destination Desire, Book 2 Page 10
