A bar had been set up next to the pool, and Siobhan squealed—actually squealed—when she saw Paddy shaking a cocktail over his shoulder. She pulled harder on my hand and made a beeline for the bar. “Excuse me,” she said, pushing through the small crowd of people lining up for drinks. She reminded me of Cat. Maybe that’s why I’d loved her almost instantly.

“Hey!” said Paddy, a grin flashing across his handsome face. Siobhan dropped my hand and grabbed his face with both of hers, giving him a massive smack on his lips. “You look amazing,” I heard him say. She grinned, then turned to us.

“You remember my friends, Josh and Sarah?” she asked. I hoped it was a rhetorical question. He must have met fifty new people each day at his job.

“Of course! You’re the one who giggles underwater,” he said. He did remember us!

“Guilty!” I laughed and raised my hand in a wave. “And thank you for the invite,” I added. He shook his head as if to say, “no worries”.

Paddy decanted the cocktail he was shaking into a red plastic cup—yes, those cups from American movies are a real thing—and handed it across the bar. I watched the tiny blonde recipient take the drink with a pout, clearly disappointed that Paddy only had eyes for Siobhan. Siobhan and Paddy were oblivious.

“Oh hey, we brought this for the bar,” said Josh, handing over the vodka.

“Oh, that’s grand. Thanks guys.”

“So, they’ve got you working tonight?” asked Josh.

“Oh, we’re all chipping in some time behind the bar. There’s a few of us here. I’ll be wrapping up soon, actually.” He turned to Siobhan. “Then I’ll be all yours.” He leant down and kissed her and she giggled. They were so damned cute together.

“What can I get you?” he asked us.

“Whatever you got going, man,” said Josh.

Paddy held up a finger. “Leave it with me.” A few minutes later, he handed over three cups. “Sláinte,” he said, holding up a fourth. We all tapped cups and took sips.

“Paddy,” I said, looking up at him in wonder, “it’s friggin’ delicious.” It was also incredibly strong.

“What is it?” I asked. He just raised his eyebrows at me and smiled. He wasn’t saying. Definitely rum and lots of lime, and a lot of other things I couldn’t quite name. I was going to have to pace myself.

I took in more of the party-scape while I sipped my drink. From what I could tell, there was an interesting mix of locals, ex-pats, and visitors amongst the guests. I wondered again what it would be like to live in Hawaii, and I imagined there would be a transitory nature to friendships, and likely relationships, with those three groups constantly in interplay—a bit like Paddy and Siobhan.

Paddy soon handed off his bartending duties, then took Siobhan’s hand and pulled her onto a makeshift dance floor. With Siobhan off with Paddy, Josh steered me away from the bar crowd and towards the view. I let him lead me through the partygoers to a low garden wall, where we sat, half-turned towards the ocean. I took another sip of my drink.