Beach Happens (Hawaii Heat, #2)

by Jamie K. Schmidt

She laughed. “Almost.”

  “So you’re from California, huh?”

  “Born and raised.”

  “That’s a long way from New York,” he said. Another reason for him to consider making the move to Hawaii permanent?

  “It’s only four hours from here,” she said.

  Maybe Samuel was right and it was time to get out of Hawaii. He could find a nice hotel to buy out in California. But it was nights like these that made him wish he could stay forever. There was something magical about this place. It had brought her into his life.

  “Michaela, I was serious about the job.”

  “I know. I have a job back in California that makes me a lot of money, though. And although I’m tempted, really tempted to take you up on your offer, I didn’t put myself through school to teach surfing. After the novelty wore off, I’d be bored.”

  Marcus knew the feeling. That’s why going to back to New York was still on the table, but he was still trying to convince himself that’s what he really wanted.

  “I need to make sure you have a place to eat and sleep.”

  “Why would you think I didn’t?”

  He sighed. “Holt told me about finding you in the dumpster.”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake, is that what this is about?”

  “You lied to him. You said you lost your ring on the beach. You were with me all day.”

  This time he let her turn so he could look into her eyes. Instead of guilt, though, he saw outrage. “I lied so I didn’t look like a bigger idiot.” She sighed. “I was looking for my ring. It turned out that it didn’t get thrown out by mistake, but I hadn’t known that at the time.”

  “Why were you looking through our trash?” he asked. Had Tetsuo send her to investigate the contractors?

  “I lost it on the property. I was desperate.”

  She was holding something back.

  “So where is the ring now?”

  “It’s in a safe place.”

  “Why aren’t you wearing it?”

  Michaela shook her head vehemently. “Never again. That ring is cursed.”

  “Now that sounds like a story I want to hear.”

  She looked up at him with her beautiful brown eyes and there were tears in them.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I want to tell you that story. But not tonight. I’m too tired. I just want to go to bed.”

  “Come upstairs with me,” he asked.

  “Not tonight.” She gently touched his head. “A few more days and I will.”

  “We don’t have a lot of time,” he said.

  “We might,” she said cryptically, standing up and brushing sand off her.

  She held out a hand for him and he considered tugging her back down on top of him and recreating the kiss From Here to Eternity. But truth be told, he was pretty tired too.

  “Getting hurt sucks,” he said.

  “I’m glad it wasn’t worse.”

  He walked her out to the lobby and handed her into the cab.

  “Where to?”

  “Wailea Marriot,” she said, looking down into her lap.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she said. “Call me when you get up?”

  He watched the car pull away before he pulled out his phone. “Wailea Marriot.” While his phone dialed the number, he still stared off in the direction she left.

  “Hi, I want to send flowers to one of your guests. Michaela Harris.”

  “What room is she in?”

  “I forgot, but if I send the flowers to the desk would you be able to get them to her room.”

  He heard typing. “I’m sorry I don’t have a guest by that name.”

  Marcus’ heart sunk. He hadn’t thought so. When she came firing into the lobby at yesterday morning, she hadn’t gotten out of a cab. She came via Kaanapali Beach, which means she was staying close by.

  He told her his deepest secret. And she fucking lied to him in return.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Michaela woke up feeling guilty in her exquisite bed, in her luxurious hotel room. She shouldn’t be here. She, more than anyone else, knew nothing was ever free. Still, Amelia promised her a hotel room tomorrow. She could slum it another night here. Tossing back the comforter on the bed, she called Marcus.

  “Good morning,” she said into his voicemail. “Let’s go on an adventure. I’m hopping in the shower now. Give me a call when you get up.”

  Except he hadn’t called after her shower. Nor after breakfast or even after she walked around the beach for a bit. Maybe, his head was still bothering him. She didn’t want to keep leaving messages though, so she called the Palekaiko Resort. Hani answered, but he hadn’t seen him all day either. He said he’d ask around to see if he had breakfast delivered yet, and would call her back.

  Michaela changed into her swimsuit and pulled a sundress over it. She’d take a cab ride over to Kaanapali and see if he was around. If not, she’d go shopping at Whaler’s Village. Hani called back while she was in the cab and said that Amelia saw him earlier and other than a foul mood, Marcus seemed to be doing all right.

  Michaela couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t calling her back. Had she misread the signals? Was he mad because she wouldn’t go back to the room with him? Because she didn’t have anything else to do, she listened to Gerald’s voice mails.

  Hi babe, I saw that you called but everything was all garbled. Call me back when you get this.

  So much for being rescued. It was a good think she knew how to rescue herself. She played the second one.

  Just confirming that you’re picking me up at the airport on Sunday. I can’t wait to see you. I miss you.

  Michaela sighed. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She wasn’t supposed to feel guilty for stranding the idiot at the airport.

  “I changed my mind,” she said to the cab driver. “Can you drop me off at Whaler’s Village instead?”

  “Shoots.” The driver shrugged and let her out in front of the shopping mall.

  She found a secluded bench and called Gerald back. Her gut churned when he answered the phone.

  “Finally,” he said and there was a touch of annoyance that set her right on the edge. “Your dad says hi.”

  “He’s there now?”

  “No, I had dinner with him last night.”

  “Did he punch you in the face?” she asked, hoping and yet not hoping.

  “What? No, of course not. We talked. Got a few things straightened out.”

  “I’m so glad,” she drawled.

  “How does a fall wedding sound to you?”

  She could not believe the gall of this man. “Why? Do you want leave me standing at the altar for a second time?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said in a cold tone that stiffened her spine. “I told you what happened.”

  “No, Gerald. You really didn’t. You gave me a bullshit line about being stressed about clients and you texted your sister that you couldn’t go through with it because you didn’t love me.” Michaela caught a few people staring at her and she made an effort to lower his voice.

  She let the silence grow, knowing that he used it as a technique in court to get witnesses to say more than they should. She felt a flare of victory when he spoke first.

  “I’ve changed my mind,” he said, at last.

  “So have I. I didn’t think that this needed to be said. I thought it was obvious. Let me make it clear, since there’s obviously a disconnect somewhere. We’re through. There is no you and I. We are no longer dating. I don’t even like you much, right now. Even if I did, I don’t want to go back to the type of relationship where you couldn’t give me the courtesy to tell me that you didn’t want to get married before I humiliated myself in front of all of my co-workers and our families.”

  Michaela realized that she didn’t say friends. How sad was that? Everyone at the wedding had been all of Gerald’s friends. Her bridesmaids had been Gerald’s family. She h
ad been working so hard to get out of debt and chasing that elusive partner carrot that they dangled in front of her nose that she forgot about everything else in life. Like friends, and surfing, and drinking on a beach late at night with a handsome man who kissed like it was his job.

  “You’re not over that yet? It’s been a week.”

  Now, it was her turn to seethe in silence.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was a bad joke.”

  “A part of me will never get over that,” she said.

  “Stop being so dramatic.”

  “I was being honest. Do you think that I like how much power that gives you over me? That I’ll never stand in a church in a wedding dress ever again because of you.”

  “You can do it in September,” Gerald groaned in frustration.

  “No, I won’t,” Michaela groaned back at him.

  “Fine. Be difficult. We’ll get married at the town hall.”

  “I’m not sure I can make this anymore plain to you. I’m not marrying you. I’m no longer your girlfriend. You can give my key back to my father. If he’s willing to overlook the money he paid for my dress, the limo, and the reception, I’ll Fed Ex your ring back to you. If not, I’m holding it as insurance that you’ll reimburse him in a timely manner.”

  “Michaela, you can’t do that.”

  “Why the hell not? You don’t love me and I don’t love you. In fact, I’ve met someone down here.” Someone who hasn’t called me back all day, but she was sure there was a good reason for that.

  “You’re having an affair?”

  “I prefer the term vacation fling.” He didn’t have to sound so surprised about it. “And I’d rather be with him than with you, so save yourself the trouble and stay home. Or come out and have a nice vacation. It’s a big island. Just don’t call me. We have nothing more to say to each other.”

  “Wait! Don’t hang up.” He sighed. “You’re right. I should have told you. I’m sorry I didn’t have the balls to tell you before the wedding.”

  Finally, an apology. A week later and a lifetime too late.

  “I honestly thought I could go through with it,” Gerald continued. “We are compatible in every way. You’re intelligent and hardworking. You understand my schedule. You don’t expect roses or candles or any of that romantic nonsense.”

  “I need to raise my expectations,” she whispered. But he continued on as if he hadn’t heard.

  “Then Brittany called and we had sex the night before our wedding.”

  “After you left me? You cheated on me?” That stung too. She had been faithful to him. She never would have banged her ex while she was still with Gerald. What a prick!

  “I’m not proud of it. But it happened, and I couldn’t marry you when I still wanted her. We were still in bed when I should have been at the church.”

  Michaela winced at that image. “So, let me guess. She went back to the bass player? Again.”

  He chuffed out a laugh. “No, she moved in with me.”

  “Okay, I’m officially confused.” Michaela looked up into the sky for guidance, but all she saw was fluffy clouds and a pretty blue expanse that she wanted to get lost in.

  “I’ve got business in Maui next week. Let’s talk about this in person.”

  That son of a bitch had been planning on working on their honeymoon all along. She felt like screaming in frustration. Brittany was welcome to him.

  “It’s got to do with the Harris Industries and Stone Mechanics merger, doesn’t it? That’s what my father was talking with you about.”

  “I looked at the contracts. It’s a lucrative deal for both of them. But your father is being really stubborn about keeping the business in the family.”

  “Then he can marry you.” She hung up and turned off her phone. Michaela was surprised to find that she was shaking and on the verge of tears. This completely sucked. She calmed down a bit, walking towards the Palekaiko Beach Resort. The water was like glass, not even a chance of a curl today. But at least the shark warning signs were gone and people were back in the water enjoying themselves. Samuel was swaying in his hammock, so she veered off to say hello.

  “Howzit, Dude,” she said.

  “If it isn’t the wahine with the teeny bikini. Want a beer?”

  “It’s not even noon.”

  “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”

  He had a point. She could use a drink, but she needed the ocean more.

  “You looking for my bruddah?”

  She rolled her eyes at his pidgin. “Nah, actually I was looking to do some snorkeling and I hear you’re the man to see about that.” Michaela never was the clingy type and she wasn’t about to start now. Marcus was a busy man, and she was on vacation.

  He nodded. “Amelia told me to hook you up. Have you ever been snorkeling before?”

  “Yeah, lots of times. I’m more of a surfer girl, though.”

  “Not today, you’re not. Not here anyway.”

  “I noticed. Maybe the wind will pick up later.” She looked wistfully out into the blue water, itching to dive in and forget this morning ever happened.

  “It’s possible. They just gave us the all clear this morning, so you won’t have to worry about sharks.”

  “I always worry about sharks. But I’m glad they’ve decided to leave us alone today. The kind on two legs as well as the ones with the big teeth.”

  He looked up at her quizzically. “You okay?”

  “I will be.”

  Dude nodded, and set her up with fins, mask and a tube. “You want a vest?” he asked, indicating one of the inflatable ones.

  Michaela shook her head. “No. I want to get down low and explore.”

  “All right, but if you ever go out by Molokini or Lanai, you wear one of these.” He shook it at her.

  “Yeah, maybe I’ll take a tour out there tomorrow.” She should look into the wetsuit that had the inflatable on the back, especially if she was craving the bigger waves. There was an air canister in one brand in case she was held under water, she could activate it and it would float her up. But that wasn’t a concern for today. She really wanted to go back to Ho’okipa, but she was afraid to go alone.

  “Marcus can take you.” For a moment, she thought he meant Ho’okipa.

  “Are you volunteering him? That won’t be any fun. He can’t get his wound wet yet.”

  Samuel shrugged. “He’s in a good mood. We got news that we’re completely booked for the next two years.”

  Michaela grinned. “That’s awesome. Good for you guys.”

  Samuel gave her a strange look. “Yeah, it is good. We also found a way to keep Tetsuo off our backs.”

  “That’s good to hear,” she said, distractedly. Hopefully, Amelia was able to run down some of the leads she gave her. “I’ll stop by later and give Amelia my congratulations.” She headed toward Black Rock.

  “Wahine?”

  “Yeah, Dude?”

  “Since you’re not wearing the vest, don’t go around the point. The current is bad. People have drowned.”

  She shuddered. “Thanks for the warning.”

  “Yeah.” He was still frowning when she put on the fins and checked her mask. She wondered if he knew why Marcus wasn’t calling. But she wasn’t going to ask. Either he’d call or he wouldn’t. There was too much ocean out there to worry about Gerald or Marcus.

  Michaela walked in until it was over her head and then swam on the surface to get her bearings. The bottom was beautiful sand and the water crystal clear. As she swam out deeper, she saw schools of colorful fish. Testing her air tube, she took a practice dive to the bottom and let the soft powder sand slip through her fingers. Gently, she glided back up to the top and blew water out of the mouthpiece. It was fine.

  What she liked most about being underwater when she wasn't being tossed around like a ragdoll, was the silence. It helped clear out all the voices in her head that whispered awful things like she should take Gerald up on his offer for a quickie wedding at City H
all. It would make her father happy. The merger would make everyone involved a lot of money. She didn’t have anyone who would really care if she got married. As long as she knew it was temporary, why not cave into her father’s demands like she always did?

  Michaela blew out more water from the tube when she surfaced and those thoughts went out the tube as well. She didn’t need her father’s approval anymore. If he wanted to risk his financial future to run her life, that was his mistake.

  Diving deeper this time, she hugged the rock wall and followed some colorful fish that she had only seen online and in books. Michaela wished she had the forethought to have brought a camera. Maybe when she went to Molokini she'd bring one. She floated close to the curve of the rock to see some sea turtles, but she could feel a change of temperature in the water and the current pulled at her. Michaela didn’t want to ever leave, but she was getting tired. It had probably been a few hours.

  Swimming sideways as she got closer to the surface, the waves were starting to roll in stronger. The wind must have kicked up. She dove down deep, skimming closer to curve in the rock. A commotion in the water behind her made her turn. She supposed it was too good to last to have this all to herself.

  She was surprised to see Samuel in the water and he was waving her to come back to shore. A sliver of dread passed over her at the intense look in his eyes. He held out a hand to her. She waved him off and followed him. Was something wrong with Marcus? Samuel sped through the water, using clean swift strokes. Looking over her shoulder, she didn't see anything alarming. But that didn't mean there wasn't.

  "Shark sighting," Samuel said when they were standing in the water.

  A wave crashed her off her feet, but Michaela rolled with it and was glad for the push to shore. Sitting down on the beach, she tugged off her flippers while Samuel made a more dignified exit.

  "Again?" Michaela refused to let her fear show, but she scanned the water intently.

  He shrugged. "I didn't see it. No one has, but the DLNR just posted signs to close the beach."

  She wondered if somehow Tetsuo was behind this just to break balls. "I'm glad I got in some snorkeling and that biggest thing I saw was an eel."

  The little Zodiac boats zoomed around, getting people in and patrolling the waters until everyone was out.