Kam glanced at him and grinned, punching him the shoulder automatically. Pule only winced a little and knew Kam must be in a good mood because he’d pulled his punch.
“Hey, Man. I want to hear all about the Police academy. Mom and dad told me you’ve been going for a while. When were you going to tell me?”
Pule grinned and shoved the rest of the roll in his mouth. “I wanted to make sure it was a good fit before I started telling everyone. But it is. Kam, I gotta tell you, this is what I want to do. I love it. I’m the best shot on the range and I guess wrestling with you prepared me well for the police force because the hand to hand combat is a breeze. There’s a lot of studying, but I don’t mind that either. Kam, I’m top of my class.”
Kam smiled, his brown eyes glowing warmly. “I’m proud of you, Pule. I just want you to know that.”
Pule looked down, more touched than he thought he could be to have earned his big brother’s approval. “Thanks, Kam. I know I’ve been a screw up in the past and I’ve been a pain in your butt, but I just want you to know, I’m doing the very best I can. I really want this.”
Kam put his spatula down and pulled Pule into his arms, hugging him so hard, he lost all the breath out of his lungs. Pule pounded Kam on the back and sniffed back some emotion at the same time as Kam wiped a tear from his cheek.
“You’re staying for dinner tonight. I’m going to make you something delicious. How about braised short ribs? Sound good?”
Pule licked his lips as he stared at the perfectly seared ribs. “Sounds perfect.”
Pule spent the rest of the evening hanging out in the kitchen and keeping Kam company while he cooked. Pule gave a helping hand and helped everyone clean up and then let Kam give him a ride home.
“How’s Bailey doing? Is she feeling any better?” Pule asked as Kam drove them through the quiet streets of Tacoma.
“She’s doing a lot better. Those first few months just about killed her she was so sick. She hasn’t thrown up in a few days so I’m hoping the worst is over. We find out in a few weeks if we’re having a boy or a girl,” Kam said with a tired grin.
Pule smiled at his brother and pictured him as a father. He felt bad for anyone who dared to mess with Kam’s kids.
“What do you want? A boy or a girl?” Pule asked
“Either, Pule. There’s just something about loving a woman so much and then knowing that you created a new life with her. I hope someday you meet a woman that takes your breath away,” Kam said with a smile and glanced at him.
Pule tried to smile back but ended up grimacing. “Yeah, well I can’t picture fatherhood happening anytime soon for me.”
Kam laughed and pulled into the driveway. “Me either, but it might be time to start looking for the right girl. Mom says you’ve been staying home from the clubs lately. Anything going on I need to know about?” Kam asked, sounding concerned.
Pule shook his head and smiled for real. Kam was the most protective person he’d ever met. He’d never had any trouble with bullies growing up because Kam could sniff out a bully a mile away. He’d let everyone know up front that no one messed with his little brothers or sisters and no one ever had.
“I’m good, Kam. I promise. It’s just that after Cleo was hurt and everything went down a couple months ago, I can’t look at life the same way, you know? Life is precious. Just thinking about how close Cleo came to dying and seeing the agony Tai was in . . . I can’t go back to the superficial life I had. I want meaning, Kam. I want a real life that makes a difference and I want a woman by my side that I can love and trust and build a family with. I don’t know…,” he said on a sigh.
Kam stared at him silently for a moment and squeezed his shoulder. “You know. You know, Pule. But now that you do know, it’s time to do something about it. You’re going to be a great police officer and do our family proud. Now you just need the right woman you can love and bring home to mom and dad. Anybody fit that description in your life right now?”
Pule looked away from his brother and shook his head as he smiled cynically. What would Kam say if he told him the girl he wanted to bring home was Meredith? Yeah, he’d be keeping that to himself.
“Well, Meredith, Asher and Brogan are starting this dating website for this area and they want me as their first client,” he said feeling slightly uneasy about it.
Kam frowned and sat back against his seat as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “A Matafeo using an online dating website? Hmmm.”
Pule reddened and was glad it was dark so Kam couldn’t see his embarrassment. “Meredith swears she can find me good girls who have my standards but who like to go out and dance and have fun.”
Kam blew out a breath. “I don’t know. You know Mom has a list of twenty girls she could set you up with right now. Good girls who love to dance too. There’s no need to go online.”
Pule shook his head quickly in the negative. “Dude, I’ve known all those girls since I was a baby. Don’t you think I would have figured it out by now if I was interested in any of them?”
Kam laughed. “I know, I know. Mom had the same problem with me. Fine, let’s see how the dating goes. Keep me in the loop though. Better yet, bring your dates to The Iron Skillet so I can give you my approval.”
Pule grinned and opened the door. “I’ll think about it. Thanks for the ride and dinner, Kam. See you Saturday at rugby.”
Kam waved and backed out of the driveway. Pule watched him drive away and wished he could have confided in Kam about his feelings for Meredith. But Kam was the one person he couldn’t confide in. What kind of brother would date his beloved, older brother’s ex-girlfriend? Not a good one, that’s for sure.
Pule groaned and put a hand over his heart to cover the ache as he walked in the house and locked up. Better to keep his feelings to himself and hope that Meredith could find someone to keep his mind off of her.
Chapter 5 – Your One and Only
Meredith woke up the next day with a smile on her face and enough energy to dig her way to China. She took a quick shower and rushed through drying her hair and putting on makeup. She was working from home so she grabbed a pair of comfortable, worn in jeans and her favorite All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby shirt, her brother Tristan had bought her for her birthday. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and went in search of breakfast.
She walked in the kitchen and wasn’t surprised to see Cleo at the table sipping her usual green smoothie while she read the news from her laptop.
“Good morning. I saved you a smoothie,” Cleo said and pointed to the fridge.
Meredith winced. She’d drunk four green smoothies just that week. She needed a break. “That’s so sweet of you to think of me all the time, but I think I’m going to have an omelet instead. I’m craving a little ham and cheese. I can make you a small one?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. She was never sure if Cleo would say yes or give her a ten minute lecture on nutrition. Cleo was the strangest woman. She was addicted to cronuts like nobody’s business but if she even looked at Velveeta or Oreos, she was in trouble and would hear more about trans-fats than she ever wanted to know.
Cleo smiled and nodded her head. “I would love one. Even I get sick of smoothies sometimes. Tai used to make me the best egg sandwiches for breakfast on toasted sourdough bread. Oh my word, heaven,” she said, closing her eyes in memory.
Meredith grinned and turned on the heat under her pan before cracking her eggs. “Does Tai know you love him for his cooking skills?”
Cleo laughed and shut her laptop. “I love Tai for many, many reasons but yes, cooking is one of them. Did I tell you that since his grand opening Tai’s Diner has been the most popular place for breakfast in Fircrest? I bet if you ask him he would put up one of your advertisements for your wedding planning business and your dating website.”
Meredith paused in whisking the eggs to stare at Cleo. “Cleo, you’re a genius. I do need to get out in the community and start getting my name out there. Would you let me pu
t up a sign down at your studio?”
Cleo frowned at her. “Of course, silly. Like you had to ask.”
Meredith smiled and blew a kiss at her friend. “You’re the best and don’t let anyone tell you different. How are things with the future in-laws going?”
Cleo’s smile lost some of its shine. “Well, you know I love Tai’s mom and dad. They’re the best. But they have it in their heads that Tai should have a very traditional wedding reception and for some crazy reason, I figured I could plan my own reception. Tai feels caught in the middle and now every time the subject comes up I end up crying.”
Meredith frowned and began lifting the edges of the omelet. “We already have everything planned. You and I went down and bought everything for the centerpieces and the decorations. They want to change all of that? Did you tell them you’ve already spent the money?”
Cleo groaned and leaned her head on her hands. “I can’t hurt their feelings, Mer. I love them and I love Tai and I don’t want to cause any problems.”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, who’s caring about hurting your feelings? Listen, Chick, you leave the Matafeo’s to me. I’ll call up Tai’s mom and set up a meeting. Just the two of us and we’ll get everything settled. This is why people need wedding planners. It saves relationships and your sanity. I can be the bad guy and you can be the good daughter-in-law. Sound good?”
Cleo looked up with hope swimming in her eyes. “You’d do that for me?” she whispered.
Meredith nodded her head and turned around to grab the cheese and ham. “That’s half my job right there. Dealing with Mother-in-law-zillas. That’s why I get paid the big bucks,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Cleo winced. “Well, that’s what you get when you insist on helping me with my wedding for free.”
Meredith smiled and shook her head. “I couldn’t take your money, Cleo. You’re my friend and I love you. That and your family is in Arizona. You need me,” she said simply.
Cleo sighed and lifted her shoulders as her face lifted in a happy smile. “For that alone I’ll put a five star review on any website you want me to.
Meredith frowned as she flipped the omelet over. “Not until after your wedding. I want an honest review. I can’t have my best friend giving me a fake review. That just wouldn’t feel right,” she murmured.
Cleo’s eyebrows shot up. “Do you really think I’d lie for you?”
Meredith turned and looked at her friend as she laughed. “Sorry, forgot who I was talking to. Thanks, Cleo. But still. Wait until after your wedding reception is a success. Then we can post pictures. It’ll have more impact.”
Cleo shrugged. “Fine, but you’re going to have to wait then. If I put one up right now, I can tell everyone how you’re saving my sanity by handling the in-laws.”
Meredith bit her lip and looked at the ceiling. “Okay, you’re right. But you’ll have to write it in such a way that everyone knows that you aren’t married yet.”
Cleo nodded and massaged her thigh with her hand. “Of course. Relax.”
Meredith laughed and plated the omelet for Cleo, walking it over and handing it to her. “One of these days. Speaking of uptight, how are Rayne and Ivy? I haven’t seen them lately.”
Cleo raised an eyebrow and gave her a look. Meredith laughed and went back to the stove. “Sorry.”
Cleo sighed and took a bite, closing her eyes as she visibly enjoyed the flavors of the omelet. Green smoothies were great, but they just couldn’t compete with ham, cheese and salsa.
“I will never understand why you don’t like Rayne and Ivy. They’re the sweetest people in the world. Can’t you give them a chance?”
Meredith grimaced. “If I’m being honest, it’s because I’m immature. You’re my best friend. I don’t appreciate them coming over and stealing you away from me anytime they feel like it. It’s rude.”
Cleo tilted her head back and laughed before taking another bite. “Well, at least you’re honest. And last time they came over, we invited you to go shopping with us, but you turned us down. Like always. How are you going to get to know them if you refuse to spend any time with them?” she asked, sounding genuinely exasperated.
Meredith blushed and turned away. “I have nothing in common with them. They’re rich, cultured and they come from a world I don’t even understand. They’re married to two of the hottest guys in town and who am I? What do I even have in common with them? Except you. I don’t know. It just seems like a lot of work when I already know that they’ll stick their noses in the air and think I’m some kind of idiot. Not worth it. I’ll stay on my side of town and they can stay on theirs.”
Cleo snorted and took another bite. “You’re such a snob. People who have money are just like us…except they have money.”
Meredith shook her head. “Uh, uh. Not exactly. Tristan’s ex-fiancée was rich like Rayne and Ivy. She was so entitled and spoiled. She acted like everyone should throw their coats on the ground in case she got mud on one of her Louboutins. And Tristan did,” she said, her voice tightening up as she ground her teeth.
“She played so many games with his head, that by the time she finally left him for someone with better connections and more money there was practically nothing left of him. He was like a shell. Used up and gone.”
Cleo sighed sadly. “When Tristan came over last week to watch movies with us he looked fine. No zombie characteristics at all.”
Meredith closed her eyes and shook her head, feeling a stab of pain. “He was quiet and polite. He laughed when he was supposed to and smiled at the appropriate times, but Cleo, that’s not him. It’s like he’s had a personality transplant. If you could have met him before Julia. He laughed all the time. He was so funny and sharp. I don’t even know him anymore.”
Cleo rested her chin on her hands. “Looks like your brother could use your website too then. If this girl really messed with his head and broke his heart, then he needs to fall in love again. Best cure there is. Everyone knows that.”
Meredith flipped her omelet and stared at Cleo with a frown. “There’s only one problem. He’s just as stubborn as I am. I can’t see him using a dating service. He’s tall, blond and gorgeous. I don’t know if his male pride can handle it.”
Cleo laughed and took a sip of her smoothie. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask. He might say no, but then again, he might say yes.”
Meredith nodded her head. Cleo definitely had a point. She loved her older brother with all of her heart. Seeing him miserable this last year had been torture.
“I’ll think about it,” she said softly already picturing how the conversation would go. Not well.
Cleo shrugged. “Well, I’m off to the studio. Maya is going to do a hot yoga class this morning and I want to be there for her. You should come with me. You’ll be relaxed and centered the rest of the day.”
Meredith smiled brightly and shook her head. “Darn, I wish I could, but I have so much to do here at home. Another time.”
Cleo laughed and picked up her crutches. “You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met. I’ll get you to love yoga one of these days.”
Meredith grinned as Cleo left the kitchen. “Not in this lifetime,” she said too softly for her friend to hear.
She spent the rest of the morning calling different venues for Jo and found a great place at a local farm. She could have a rustic, outside wedding at a fraction of the price. She sent a text off to Jo and set up a time to go out to the farm with her and her fiancé. With the wedding business out of the way, it was time to focus on her new project. The dating website. With Brogan creating the website for them and Asher taking care of all of the paperwork and business side of things, that left her to get the clients and create buzz. But first things first. She needed a name. Asher and Brogan would need to approve, but they’d assigned that little task to her.
Ugh. There was eHarmony, Match.com, Tinder and OkCupid. She needed something specialized, something unique and something that would grab everyo
ne’s attention. She leaned back against the couch and tapped her chin with her pen. She wrote down a few names and frowned. They were all bad. Hmm, maybe Dreamscometrue.com? Ick, too Disney. Maybe, adventuretime.com….nah. Too close to the cartoon and that was just weird.
Meredith sighed and ran her hands through her hair. What would she want? What would grab her attention? She thought of falling in love and closed her eyes. She just wanted the man meant for her. Her one and only.
Meredith squealed and sat up, clapping her hands as she scrambled for the pen she had just dropped. YourOneandOnly.com. Perfect.
She sent off a text to Asher and Brogan and then danced around the apartment. They could make T-shirts and do some radio spots. They could hand them out at parades that summer and do fun giveaways throughout the year. She could even do a special wedding package for their first couple to get married. She could talk to vendors and do an advertising package. If they got some donations this could get them a lot of traction.
Meredith breathed in and out as the excitement grabbed her by the throat. “Time to get to work, girl,” she told herself sternly and grabbed her laptop and sat down. She wrote down all of her ideas and sent them off in an email to her partners and then sat back with a grin.
She now had so much energy in her system she was about to take off like a rocket. A run down by the water was what she needed to clear her mind and get centered. Forget yoga. She needed to pound the pavement. She hurried and put on her running gear and grabbed her keys.
She could run down by Ruston Way or she could head to Point Defiance. She thought about it for a moment and then headed towards Point Defiance. The trees and the scenery were so calming it was like an instant balm to her soul. Ten minutes later, she had parked her car and was stretching.
She started out slowly since it was cold outside but after a mile her muscles were warmed up and she was able to kick it up a notch. She hadn’t always liked exercise but after her breakup with Kam it was either find an outlet for all of her feelings or go insane. So now she was a runner and a pretty good one too. She was up to five miles and was considering running in a 5K this spring if she could convince someone to run with her. So far everyone had turned her down. Tristan had said maybe after unrelenting nagging. Asher had mentioned being busy and Pule had just laughed at her. Cleo was out for obvious reasons and Jane was busy with her new baby. But if she had to run the dang thing by herself, she would. She wasn’t a woman to let life pass her by just because there was no one by her side. No. Way.
My One and Only: Book 1 in the Love and Weddings Trilogy Page 4
