“But Coco—”
“Don’t try to talk me out of it.” I took a deep breath and let it out. “Thing of it is, I’ve already made plans. I’ll be living in the interior of the island and staying with a group of other students. I’ll meditate and become one with the earth.”
Rhys’s eyes grew wider as I spoke. “And what? Live a hermit life? Isn’t that what got you into this trouble in the first place?” He held me by the shoulders. “You and I were lonely that night we made the bet. Why do you think we did something so stupid to begin with? How bored must we have been to think that using Dominick would make our lives interesting?” He stood up and walked to the fireplace looming over me like a schoolteacher. “You know what I learned through this whole thing?” He pointed at himself. “I learned how to love someone. What Alex and I have is new, but I see a future with him, not just a life of sleeping around.”
My emotions threatened to overtake me again. “Well, I’m happy for you Rhys. I really am. But what do I have? Nothing.”
“You’ve got me and the shop and your clients, and I know you’ll find somebody to love again.” His voice softened. “You really cared about him, didn’t you?”
I nodded and bowed my head. “I did. He’s so passionate and true to himself. He loves his daughter even if he is a bit unconventional with her. I know I don’t have to tell you about his looks. But that’s why I have to leave. All of it. This town is too small. He deserves happiness. He left Brazil to make a new life here, and I ruined it.”
“What about his surfing? Has he gone out there to ride that big wave in the middle of the ocean yet?”
I looked away. “How would I know?”
He gave me a crooked grin. “Don’t tell me you haven’t been googling the hell out of him. There’s got to be news somewhere.”
That got the tiniest smile out of me. “You know me too well. Yes, I’ve tried to find out. But so far, nothing.” I tapped my foot. You know what though? That’s the other thing I’ve come to realize. I drove him away with my fear and I never even told him why. It wasn’t bad enough that I conned him into a relationship, I never even opened up to him and told him about my mother. He told me all about his father and his life on the tour and about Lola’s mom. He included me in his life and what did I do? I withheld everything so he wouldn’t think I was weak, so he wouldn’t see my flaws. He deserves better.” I held my chin high. “I hope he rides that wave. As much as it terrifies me, it’s important to him.”
“And what about the drink contest?”
I looked at my lap and crossed my feet at the ankle. “We lost.”
“Aww, damn it. I was kind of hoping that maybe you’d win and it’d give you guys a chance to work together. You know, maybe force a truce that might lead to more.”
I gave my friend a shaky smile. “That would’ve been nice. But no. Dominick is right to be through with me.”
Rhys kneeled next to me and held my hands. “Oh, honey. Everything’s going to work out. Please tell me you’ll stay. Think this thing through.”
I shook my head sadly. “No. I’ll come back once in a while to visit, though.” I smiled at my friend. “And you can come out and hike with me on those gorgeous Catalina trails. Maybe we’ll even live dangerously and go without sunscreen.”
We looked at each other and burst into laughter. “Can we have junk food night in your tent?”
“Only if you bring the Oreos.”
We looked at each other for a long time, and then we hugged. I would miss my friend dearly. He drew away and said, “So that’s it? When do you leave?”
“I take the morning boat out of Point Rios tomorrow.”
He stood up, walked to the fridge and opened the freezer. “I’ve been saving this for the right time.” He withdrew two gooey ice cream cones with chocolate and nuts and handed me one. We unwrapped them hastily and held them aloft. “To life in Catalina!”
“To friendship.”
“To new beginnings.”
“To living dangerously.”
We tore into the gooey junk food. Breakfast had never tasted so good.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Dominick
The day after I rode the biggest wave of my life, I woke up to the mouth-watering aroma of bacon sizzling in the frying pan.
I had slept the sleep of the dead and was slowly acclimating to the early morning when Lola jumped on my bed. “Papai! You’re awake.” She tugged at my arm. “Get up. Tell me all about it. I can’t wait to hear. Did you ride the wave?” Her brown eyes were huge, and at that moment, I had never felt more love for anyone.
I laughed and drew her to me. “Come here and give your father um beijinho.”
She giggled and squirmed out of my grasp. “I’m getting too old for that.”
“You’re never too old to give your father a kiss.”
She grabbed my arm again. “So tell me, tell me! What was it like?”
“Oh baby, it was only the most exhilarating, intense, gnarly, craziest surf I’ve ever been in.” My heart sped up remembering the rush I’d experienced out there at the Banks. I held her hands. “I saw my father. He was with me, Lola. He really was.” I wiped at a tear. “I only wish you could’ve met him.”
“Do you think I can surf there one day?”
The thought of my daughter out there in that dangerous surf caused a chill to seep into my bones. “No, honey. One person in the family is all that’s allowed. The surf angels told me that.”
We grinned at each other and then Lola danced around my bedroom. “My daddy rode that big wave! He did it. My dad’s the best, most handsome, most fun, most smartest, most best ever number one dad in the whole wide world.” She dove onto the bed and gave me a big hug. “Can I smother you in kisses just this one time?”
I squeezed her tight. “Come here.” We hugged and Lola, who thought she was getting too old to kiss her Papai covered my face with kisses.
“I love you, Daddy.”
My mother yelled from the kitchen. “Are you two going to leave me all alone in here? All I do is slave away for you, and you’re in there having fun while your food gets cold.”
Lola and I looked at each other and laughed. “We’d better get into the kitchen before your grandma shoves breakfast down our throats.”
When we entered the kitchen, my mother stood with her spatula in hand, a disapproving look on her face. “I thought I’d never see you again. Let me look at you.” She gave me the once over. “Still in one piece I see.” She set the spatula down, walked to me and drew me into a hug. “I didn’t sleep a wink all night.” She let go and gazed at me, hands on hips. “My big grown son out there in those dangerous waves.” She performed the sign of the cross. “I called all the saints to help you yesterday. At least somebody’s looking out for you.”
I knew my mother would understand what I was about to say. A fluttery feeling filled my stomach, and I bit my lip. I held her shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Mom, I saw Papai. He was there with me. I’ve finally made him proud.”
She covered her mouth with her hand. Then, my mother started crying. “Oh, Dominick. You did it.” She touched my cheek. “I know your father’s proud of you.” She wiped her tears on her apron and placed a hand on my shoulder. Her voice trembled. “I never could stop you doing what you want. You have a life here now.” She gestured around the kitchen. “I’m proud of you. I’m going to miss you and Lola when I go back home, but I know you’re both going to be fine.” She wagged a finger at me. “Just stay out of that dangerous surf, okay?” She sniffed back tears, picked up the spatula and began to spoon scrambled eggs onto plates. “Now if you can just make up with Coco …”
Lola looked up at me. “Dad? Are you going to talk to her? Maybe give her that ring I gave you?”
I shook my head. “No, honey. I’m not.”
We ate our breakfast, and when we were done, I prepared to walk Lola to school. She sat in her room with her laptop open. “Ready to go?” I said.
> “Dad, I think you need to look at this.”
My mother drifted to Lola’s room and leaned against the doorjamb. We looked over Lola’s shoulder at the computer. She’d opened it to the lifestyle blog that Coco wrote for the Beauty For Life Anti-Aging Boutique. A photo of Coco graced the website, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her clear blue eyes penetrating my soul. I remembered all the times I had looked into her eyes and shuddered.
The headline read: “Is Love The Best Anti-Aging Formula?”
The three of us peered at the screen, and I began to read.
Greetings dear readers and patrons of Beauty For Life!
I’m writing this farewell letter to all of you lovely men and women who have come into my life over the years I’ve owned the shop. Don’t worry, I’ll still blog from time to time, but the day-to-day operations of the boutique will be handled by our own forever youthful, always entertaining Rhys.
I’ll be studying holistic herbal medicine while living in the interior of Catalina Island and I can’t promise you great Internet connections. But I’ll do my best to keep in touch.
I’ve had lots of time to think over these past few weeks, and I wanted to share some insights in the hopes that this helps someone who finds themselves at a crossroad like I did.
I thought I was invincible. I thought that I didn’t need anything or anyone other than my lotions, potions and my high-antioxidant diet. While I was so busy with my self-centered ways, I lost the only man I’ve ever truly loved.
While I was so intent on eluding death, I forgot the most important thing of all—how to live.
My mother was an extraordinary woman. She knew how to live life, how to grab it by the reins and squeeze every ounce of happiness out of this grand adventure. Mom tried to teach me how to dance in the rain, sing in the shower, swim in the ocean, paint with wild colors, rollerskate down the street without wearing sunscreen.
Did I listen?
No.
I watched the way she lived her life and mocked her carefree ways. She wasn’t afraid to walk in the dark, wasn’t afraid to talk to strangers, wasn’t fearful of the weather and the latest tsunami warnings that never materialized.
But you know what? She was happy.
When she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, she sat me down and said, “Coco, you can cry about this for a while, but then I want us to go on adventures together. I want us to live every second of life as though it’s our last.”
I was horrified at her refusal to seek treatment. I crossed my arms, stamped my feet and refused to accept the fact that my mother wouldn’t be here forever. I begged her not to participate in all those death-defying sports she’d become passionate about. I refused to join her on any of her crazy antics. She went without me and just said, “One of these days, honey, you’ll take your last breath. Then you’ll understand all you missed out on.”
After mom died while participating in one of those sports, and after the last shovelful of dirt was tamped down on her casket, I made a promise to myself.
I would live forever.
My life limped along—a successful life by some folks standards. I made money, I had friends, I met all of you wonderful people, but my life was empty. It was empty because I had closed my heart. I vowed that I would never feel the pain of losing someone again.
And then I met a man.
Not just any man.
My boyfriend was one of the most extraordinary men I’ve ever met.
My boyfriend was a big wave surfer.
I love that about him.
He’s fierce, he’s loyal, and he grabs life by the tail, living with a passion that most people only ever get a glimpse of.
I love him.
And I’ve lost him.
I did a foolish thing and lied to the only man I’ve ever loved.
I miss him, his sweet daughter and his quirky mother.
So, my dear friends, is love the best anti-aging formula?
Yes.
If you’re ever lucky enough to find that one true love, someone who makes you want to be a better person, someone who makes your heart beat extra faster when they walk into a room, don’t ever let that person go.
Hold that person to your heart. Kiss them, make love to them. Hold hands and walk in the rain.
You may not live forever, but you will feel like you have.
Love,
Coco
Lola gazed up at me. “Dad, you have to go to her.”
My heart beat harder, and my pulse quickened. “Why didn’t she tell me any of this?”
“She didn’t know how, Daddy.”
“I … I don’t know if we can work it out.”
Lola stood up fast and held my arms forcing me to look at her. “Dad! Listen to me. You’re being stubborn. I love you, but do you think I can keep you company for the rest of your life? I’ve got my own life. I’ve got friends.” She shook me hard. “You have to go to her. She needs you. And you need her.”
My mother stood in the doorway her arms crossed. “Dominick, listen to your daughter.” She wagged a finger at me. “And listen to your mother. Do you think I’m going to take care of you for the rest of your life? Is it my job to cook and clean and watch over you forever?”
“But she lied to me.”
My mother grabbed my arm so hard I thought it would leave a mark. “Who cares about that? You think life is about people being nice to each other all the time? Telling the truth every single second? You don’t think people make mistakes? If I thought the way you estúpido kids think, I would’ve left your father before we ever got started. And where would you be? You wouldn’t even be here.” She jabbed a finger at the laptop where Coco’s smiling face stared back. “That woman opened her heart.” She glared at me. “What’s it going to take for you to open yours?”
The room became quiet. I looked from Lola to my mother and back to Lola again.
All these years Coco and I had been living in the shadow of our dead parents. I was alive; my daughter was alive; my meddling mother was alive.
I thought of my conversations with Father Timothy. Dominick, you need to remember that life is for the living.
The room tilted and then righted itself. My skin prickled and I felt the blood surging through my veins, heard the whooshing of every beat of my heart through my ears.
I loved Coco. Mom was right. So what if we started out on the wrong foot? Did it matter how we got together as long as we had found one another?
Lola pushed me toward the door. “Go to her house. Now. Tell her you’re sorry about whatever dumb thing you fought about.”
“But I have to walk you to school.”
“Stop it! Listen to yourself. The only woman who I’ve ever liked is leaving. You can’t let her go.” Our eyes met. “Daddy, do you love her? Because I can walk by myself.”
I didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Happiness danced through me at the thought of seeing Coco again, of holding her and kissing her. I thought of the make-up sex we’d have. But more important, I wanted to gaze into her eyes and finally tell her what I’d wanted to tell her that morning at the hotel. “I love you.” I wanted to spend my life with her. “Yes, sweetheart, I do.”
“Then go. Now!”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Dominick
I raced out of the house and hopped in my truck. Adrenaline rushed through my system as I sped down the wet streets. I surged up the hill, rammed the truck into a parking spot and sprinted toward Coco’s condo.
I banged on the door. “Coco!” Panic raged through me as I pummeled the door so hard I thought it would break.
Victor Jose’s incessant yapping was missing, the happy shuffle of Coco’s feet absent.
Frantically, I jiggled the doorknob, but it was locked. I darted from window to window peeking inside each, but no one was home. I pounded on the door again. “Coco!”
Finally, I tore out of her driveway.
Maybe Rhys knew where she was.
>
As I drove to his house, my truck backfired. I smacked the steering wheel. I should’ve tuned the truck, but I’d been so intent on following the weather conditions that I had let all my usual maintenance duties go.
When I arrived at Rhys’s place, he and his friend Alex stood in the driveway. I lurched to a stop and slammed the truck into park.
I trotted over to them. Rhys was in the process of affixing a bumper sticker to his moped. It read: If you’re going to ride my ass at least pull my hair. “Where’s Coco?” They snapped their heads up at the same time, eyes wide.
Rhys said, “Umm, she’s gone.”
I set my jaw and pushed up my sleeves. I counted to three. Still, when my voice came out, it was practically a bark. “When did she leave?”
Rhys and Alex exchanged a look. “This morning. Out of Point Rios,” Rhys said.
I was ready to grab his lapels and throttle the guy. “When? What time did they leave?”
“Thirty minutes ago?” Rhys scratched his head. “I think.”
I raced to my truck and threw myself inside intent on making it to the dock. I turned the key in the ignition. Nothing. Turned it again. Nothing. I punched the steering wheel and tried again. Nothing. “Caralho!”
I bolted out. “Rhys! Can I take your moped?”
He jerked back and held onto Alex’s arm. His hand dug into his pocket and produced the key. “Here you go, man. Don’t wreck it now.” His voice softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. His grey-green eyes gazed into mine. “Go find that lady. She loves you, you know.”
I swung one leg over the moped. “Thanks, buddy.” The scooter rumbled to life—as much as a moped can—and I putt-putted up the hill and onto the side streets for the thirty-minute drive to Point Rios. I glanced over my shoulder as Rhys and Alex’ waving figures became smaller.
I wove in and out of traffic through the rain-soaked streets.
“Watch where you’re driving!” yelled a man making a left-hand turn.
“Where’d you get your driver’s license? Walmart?” another screamed.
Sea of Seduction: A Single Dad Sports Romance Page 24
