Making Waves: A Perfect Kisses Novella

by London, Ophelia

  The first thought was of his mother and how she was going to have to move away from the house she loved to a gated community with walls and round-the-clock security.

  His next thought was remembering how he’d told her…he’d explained to Justine why it was vital for his life to be private.

  And she’d printed his name, anyway.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Will,” was all her brain could think.

  A split second before, there had been a stunned, disbelieving look in his eyes, the same emotions she’d been feeling. The disbelief was still there, but the way his brown eyes narrowed into a glare changed everything.

  “I didn’t…” She held up her phone, feeling shocked and helpless. What happened? “I didn’t mean to do—”

  “I don’t know what to say,” he cut in, coldness in his voice and eyes.

  He didn’t need to speak, he sounded as pissed as he looked. And the vein bulging on the side of his neck was about to explode.

  “Will.” She reached out to touch him but he was on his feet, backing up in the sand.

  “All day, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get you to trust me again. To make up for what happened.” He scoffed and ran the back of his hand over his mouth. “And you sent the story, anyway.”

  “Not this story.” She stumbled to her feet, momentarily tripping over their towels. “I must have sent the wrong attachment.” Frantically, she tried to think back to that moment on the deck of his mother’s house. “I was…distracted. I…I did write a version with your name, but…” She was too dumbfounded to understand it herself, let alone explain.

  Not that Will was listening.

  “I trusted you with this.” She could see the sharp cut of his jaw as his back teeth clenched together.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “This doesn’t just affect me. You know that.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable. Reckless.”

  “Will.”

  “No, you made your choice.” He dropped his arms to his sides. His face was red but expressionless. “You won, Justine,” he said, too eerily calm.

  Without so much as a glance her way, he grabbed his towel, slid on his shoes, and pointed up the road. “Waikiki Beach is that way. Car key is right there. Have a nice life.”

  Her mouth hung open in a stunned and silent cry as she watched him stride toward the hotel. He didn’t look back once, that was how much she’d betrayed him. And she could do nothing to stop him. No explanation.

  Just like that…it was over.

  …

  Using her map app, Justine managed to find her way back to Ellie and Charlie’s house, a pretty incredible feat since she’d cried the entire way. Before she left the beach, she called her editor to find out exactly what happened. Before she could get an answer, she had to sit through five minutes of praise about how fresh and timely her story was.

  Which made her feel sick.

  It was a great story, but it had been better without Will’s name. Spilling his secret was something a tabloid writer would do. That was not the type of journalist she wanted to be.

  “Do you think you sent it subconsciously?” Ellie asked over yogurt and freshly squeezed mango juice the next morning.

  Justine bit down on her wobbly lip. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Why would I sabotage our future like that?”

  Ellie arched her brows and eyed her over her glass. “Did you two talk about the future?”

  “No. But I thought about it.”

  Ellie passed her a new box of tissue after she’d used up the first one. “If you tell him it was a mistake, he’ll understand.”

  “I tried to talk, but he was so mad he couldn’t even look at me. I’d do anything to make this right and explain what happened, but he thinks I betrayed his trust.” Justine took a clean tissue and held it over her eyes. “All this time, I thought he was the lying bastard in this relationship, when I’m the one who screwed up everything.”

  “Maybe he just needs time to cool off. I make Charlie split coconuts with a machete when he’s ticked about something.”

  Justine couldn’t help hiccupping a laugh. “I don’t think that will work in this situation.”

  “Well, when I’m upset, I make him split coconuts with his shirt off. At least it’s nice to watch.”

  Justine laughed again, choking on tears in her raw throat. “I’ll remember that.”

  “When is Will back in L.A.?”

  With sorrow, Justine pulled in a jagged breath, blinked her gummy eyelids, then stared down into her glass of juice. “Not until the summer.”

  …

  Will’s cell hadn’t stopped ringing. Finally, he just shut the damn thing off. He hadn’t had a moment’s peace since that story hit the internet.

  “You’re wallowing.”

  He glanced at his mother who’d come out to the back deck. “No,” he said, breathing hard in rhythm. “I’m skipping rope.”

  “You’re a talented fellow, you can do both.” She wore a long red flora dress and a Chase Ryder ball cap, and was holding out a bottle of water.

  Will jumped for another ten seconds then stopped and dropped the rope. “Thank you,” he said, unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink. “And I’m not wallowing.”

  “Then why have you been hiding out here all day?”

  “I’m not about to leave you alone,” he said, tasting bitterness at the back of his throat. He took another drink to try and wash it down. “Your phone’s been ringing off the hook.”

  “I’ll change the number.” She sat on the porch swing and patted the spot at her side. “What’s really going on?”

  “Nothing.” He looked past her and out toward the water. “It’s fine. I’ll handle it.” She patted the spot again. Will sighed then dropped himself onto the seat next to her. “I’ve tried so hard to protect you from all the madness and stress…from what happened before.”

  “I know,” she said, touching his hand.

  Just then, his mother’s phone started to ring again. Will exhaled a growl. “You didn’t sign up for this.”

  “William, I was young back then, too, but I was your mother—I should have been protecting you. We were both living in a fantasy world.” She nudged his side. “I can handle myself now. I do t’ai chi five times a week.”

  Will couldn’t help laughing at the tough edge to his mother’s voice. “You’re not worried about people showing up here like before? Fans or…”

  “I’m not about to be run out of my own home again. If I have to, I’ll get a big dog.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” Will swallowed. “Your privacy is shot to hell because of her.”

  “Are you assuming she did it on purpose? And don’t say her like you don’t know her name. It’s Justine.”

  He rubbed his chin and looked away. “I know her name, Mom. And I have no idea if it was intentional. I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Well, didn’t Justine say she sent the wrong story? That it was a mistake?”

  “So she said.”

  “You were with her when she sent it. What else was happening?”

  As Will thought back, he couldn’t help smiling, remembering they’d been on this very deck. It had been sunny and they’d been laughing and touching and so close. She’d looked beautiful.

  “I wanted to kiss her,” he said without thinking. “That’s what else was happening.”

  “Did she want to kiss you?”

  Will shook his head and stood, a heaviness weighing on his chest. “Mom, I’m not talking to you about this.”

  “Oh, please.” She waved a hand around in the air. “I’m over fifty and I have a boyfriend. He’s a very nice man, Will. Maybe you’ll meet him someday if you aren’t too busy.”

  It was almost too much to think about…his mother and… “Mom,” he groaned, surprised that he could feel even worse.

  “Okay, okay,” she said. “So, you had Justine hot and bothered and whatnot, thinking
about kissing you, right?” She paused and looked at him—her eyes were the same shade of brown as his. “I know you can tell when a woman is thinking the same thing.”

  Will pushed a hand through his hair, picturing the look in Justine’s eyes when he’d touched her cheek. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she was.”

  “If that’s when she emailed the wrong story, don’t you think you should give her the benefit of the doubt? Were you thinking perfectly straight right then?”

  “No,” he admitted.

  “So?”

  “Damn, Mom.” He tasted more sourness at the back of his mouth and the weight on his chest made it painful to breathe. “I think I made a mistake.”

  She chuckled lightly and patted his arm. “I’m sorry, darling, but I do love hearing men admit when they’re wrong. It warms my heart.”

  He couldn’t help echoing her laugh. “Glad I could help.”

  “You said Justine is only on the island for the weekend. Is she leaving today?”

  “Tomorrow, I think. But I don’t know where she’s staying.”

  “Ah. I see.” She gave his arm another pat. “So do you plan on finding her before she leaves, or waiting another six months hoping she’ll forgive you for walking out on her again?”

  Will’s stomach tanked faster than a submarine. He felt like hell. But he knew that wasn’t going to help. He kneaded the back of his neck as he paced the length of the deck.

  “Why don’t you go for a swim,” his mother suggested.

  Suddenly, Will stopped in his tracks and grabbed his phone. “What’s the name of the newspaper she works for?”

  “Why?”

  He moved his thumbs with super speed, pulling up the web. “I have an idea.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Are you sure you won’t stay one more day? I want to show you our beach.” Ellie was frowning as she stood at the back door.

  Justine tucked her legs under herself as she leaned back in her patio chair. “Honestly, the last thing I feel like doing is swimming.” Not because she was afraid, but because it would remind her of Will.

  “Hey, Justine,” Charlie said, walking out to the patio. “Sorry your trip’s been such an epic fail, but at least you met someone famous.”

  “We don’t need a recap,” Ellie said, then turned to Justine. “Though it is kind of wild that you know Chase Ryder. Too bad.” She sighed. “Charlie, why don’t you split some coconuts for us, babe.” She winked at Justine.

  Charlie looked at Ellie with a cocked eyebrow. “That’s only for you.” After giving her a quick kiss, he passed Justine her cell. “This thing’s been going off for an hour.”

  “Oh. Sorry.” She took it and sat up. Yep, there were a ton of missed calls and voicemails. Probably friends offering more congratulations on her big story. She couldn’t listen to any more, they made her too depressed. None of this was supposed to happen. When her cell vibrated with another incoming call, she slammed it on the table facedown.

  “You don’t want to answer?” Ellie asked.

  “Not unless someone’s died,” she said, trying to be funny, but the words struck her heart. She tipped her chin and stared up at the sky. It was starting to get cloudy. Perfect…her last afternoon in paradise was about to turn stormy. That sounded about right.

  “Juss.” Ellie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “You just got a text.”

  Justine cracked open her eyes to see Ellie pointing at her phone.

  “Want me to find out if anybody died?”

  “Go ahead.” She leaned back and closed her eyes.

  Well, all and all, I suppose it’s been a good trip, she thought. Oahu is gorgeous, the weather’s been perfect, I ate a delicious fish taco—

  “It’s from someone named Ron.”

  “That’s my boss,” Justine said.

  “He said, and I quote: Get to the Otani Kaimana, pronto. Chase Ryder press conference.”

  Justine’s eyes flew open. “What?”

  “That’s what it says.” Ellie displayed the phone. “Does he mean the hotel?”

  “I don’t know.” She took the phone and reread the text. “He must.”

  “Wasn’t that the hotel…last night…”

  Justine swallowed and nodded. “Why would Will give a press conference? He’s spent the last decade refusing interviews.”

  “Until you,” Ellie said. When Justine looked at her, Ellie was smiling, but not at her. Her friend was gazing wistfully at Charlie washing their convertible. “You’d be surprised what men will do outside their comfort zones when it’s important.” She glanced at her. “Remember our tango on live TV?”

  Justine couldn’t help smiling. “I don’t think that’s why Will’s doing this. He was so angry.” Her stomach churned like she was trapped on a rocking boat. “I really need to talk to him, but I’m sure I’m the last face he wants to see. I’ll try to stand in back or something.” Just then, another text pinged from Ron. “And apparently, my career depends on covering this.”

  “Good luck,” Ellie said.

  “Thanks.” On shaky, unenthusiastic legs, Justine stood and grabbed the keys to her rental, ready to do her job.

  …

  It wasn’t at all like the previous morning at the Eddie. There were no cars lining the beach road in front of the Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. In fact, Justine was able to park in the same spot from last night. In the few minutes it had taken to drive to the other end of Waikiki, the weather had really taken a turn. Her flimsy sundress was whipping in the wind as she walked across the sand, clutching her notebook.

  She spotted a group of people down by the water. They were the only ones on the beach, so they must’ve been setting up Will’s conference. Or Chase’s.

  Well, it really doesn’t matter what anyone calls him now…all thanks to me.

  “Aloha ‘auinala.” Someone waved, breaking from the group. “About time you got here.”

  Justine frowned when she recognized the kid she’d met yesterday, Will’s surfing buddy. “Hi. Anton, right?”

  The kid grinned, showing white teeth. “I should be flattered you remembered my name, but I don’t think Chase would dig that.”

  She glanced around, confusion growing. The group with Anton was a bunch of teenagers. “Do you know where the press conference is? Was it moved inside because of the weather?”

  “No.” He smiled and nodded at her. “You’re it, ku‘uipo.”

  She didn’t have time for this. “Look, I really need to talk to Chase. Where is he?”

  Anton grinned and hooked a thumb over his shoulder, pointing at the ocean.

  “Huh?” She took a few steps toward the water, but saw nothing but gray waves, rougher than yesterday’s because of the wind. Then she spotted him, bobbing about thirty feet out. “What is he…? Will!” she called. “Come in! Let’s talk!”

  He waved an arm overhead like a greeting, or maybe he was in distress. “Does he need help?” she said to Anton, trying to ignore the panic building in her chest. “What’s going on?”

  “Like I said, press conference for two.” He chuckled, cupped his hands, and called something out to Will she didn’t understand. More Hawaiian. When Will answered back, Anton laughed and slapped his thigh. “Yeah, my boy says he wants to talk to you, too. Out there.” He lifted his chin as the first raindrop hit the sand. “Better make it quick. He’s been waiting a helluva long time.”

  “Out there? For how long?” The waves seemed to be getting bigger and the wind was really picking up. Did he seriously expect her to swim out there…alone? “Tell him to come in. He’s tired.”

  “I’m sure he’s blown as hell,” Anton said, then pointed toward the horizon. “And a storm’s coming. Only gonna get rougher.”

  Justine cupped her hands. “Will! I want to talk to you, please. Come in!”

  Over the wind, she heard him answer with a faint, “No.”

  Anton’s group all burst into laughter. Justine ignored them, they were no help.

  �
�Dammit,” she muttered, keeping her eyes fixed on Will’s body in the water.

  “Justine…” He waved an arm over his head.

  The sound of his voice calling her name pierced something inside. Suddenly, every drop of fear evaporated from her body. Replacing it, her muscles tightened like she was blocked to run the 100-meter dash. At the same time, calmness and purpose flooded her soul.

  No, Will wasn’t in danger—she felt that. But she also knew she wanted to get to him, no matter what her fears might have been. She had to be exactly where he was so she could explain what happened and tell him how sorry she was…about everything.

  Without thinking, she rotated around, cocked her arm, and threw her purse and notebook as far up the beach as she could. Then she kicked off her flip-flops and pulled her dress over her head, ignoring the gasps of Anton and his crew.

  “Will!” she called. “I’m coming!” In only her pink bra and panties, Justine ran straight into the water, leaping over the first wave, then diving headfirst into the second. The ocean was much colder than the day before, but she didn’t care.

  When she broke the surface, she zeroed in on his location, on the dark hair she could barely make out through the salt stinging her eyes.

  Then she started swimming.

  “Justine!” His voice strengthened her strokes, making her legs kick harder to get there. Ten feet away. She could make out the color of his eyes, that gorgeous, cocky smile on his face.

  “Will.” Only a few strokes away.

  He was swimming toward her now, and right before they were about to knock heads, his arm hooked around her, stopping her momentum. He laughed and pulled her against his chest. “I knew you would do it.”

  She hugged him back, so tightly, a thousand words of apology burning her tongue, but she needed to hold him first. Just hold him.

  “Will,” she panted, still holding on. “I’m so—”

  But she didn’t get to finish. He kissed her. And she kissed him back, exhaling his name every time she took in fresh oxygen. Waves crashed around them and she felt Will’s legs kick with hers as they tread water together, their heads barely staying above the surface.