“But I don’t want a man to take care of me! I’ve had a man take care of me, and it didn’t make my life better.” No, I don’t need taking care of. And I don’t need a man to provide for me. That’s why I have a job. “All I want from a man is great company. That’s all I need.”

“I guess you’re in luck.”

The week passes, and the new college girl, Lisa, is working out really well. Those two and a half extra hours every afternoon enable me to get a lot more done, see more clients, and even do some grocery shopping and hit the gym. The kids like Lisa, and she’s even helping cover some of the carpool runs for me, especially the ungodly Tuesday and Thursday days where both kids have activities at the exact same time.

But despite my schedule—or because of it—I welcome the calls from Kai. He checks in several times a week, and every call leaves me smiling. There’s just something about him that makes me feel good. Hopeful. Optimistic.

“I want to come back,” I tell him one night as I drive, racing down Montlake Boulevard to pick up Jessica from ballet. “I miss Hawaii a lot.”

“You do.”

“Yeah. And you just a little bit.”

He laughs. “Come back.”

“I wish I could.”

“You’ll have another vacation someday.”

“Someday sounds too far away.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“So even if I don’t come out for months, you’ll still be glad to see me when I do?”

“Yes.”

“Even in six months?”

“Yes.”

“A year?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t have a girlfriend by then?” I ask suspiciously.

“Oh, I’ll have several, but I’ll still make time for you.”

“That’s terrible.”

“Yeah, but you like it.”

I hang up, retrieve Jessica from ballet, and creep our way back along Montlake to get William from his first baseball practice of the season. As I sit trying not to fume with traffic, I don’t think I can wait six months to see Kai again. I don’t think I can wait even three.

I miss him. I really miss him.

For dinner, I take the kids to Bing’s Bodacious Burgers. The place is funky and relaxed, a favorite for lots of families after sporting events. The kids get their burgers, and I get the Gorgonzola chicken salad on a ciabatta roll.

While we eat, I continue to play with the idea of returning to Hawaii soon. Realistically, when could I go? There’s a three-day weekend later this month, and then next month in April, there’s Easter. I’m supposed to have the kids for Easter. Could I take them to Hawaii with me for their spring break?