A dark-suited security guard stands in the shadows, and Kai and I both see him. “No.”

“The newly wed and the newly dead.”

I laugh because I’ve seen lots of both here and Kai’s right about a lot of things. “It’s a great hotel. Great service.”

“Because that’s so important.”

“It is.”

“Why?”

And I’m stumped. I don’t have an answer. Instead I reach for my room key and suddenly remember I’ve nothing with me. No wallet, beach bag, nothing. I’d left everything by the pool. And the pool is definitely closed. “Damn. I left everything by the pool earlier. Now I’ll have to find out what they did with my things.”

“I’ll say good night here, then,” Kai answers. “The beach boys aren’t allowed inside.”

I glance at the hotel’s discreet whitewashed walls. “Why not?”

“Riffraff.”

“You’re riffraff?” I arch an eyebrow. “Because you’re a surf instructor?”

“Because we entertain the tourists.”

I get the picture. “Ah. The ladies.”

He shrugs. “Lots of beautiful women come to Hawaii looking for a good time.”

I make a disgusted sound. “You sound like a gigolo.”

He laughs, not at all insulted. In fact, nothing seems to ruffle him. “I didn’t say I slept with them all. Until recently I had a long-term girlfriend.”

“Still.”

“It’s the way it is here, girl.” Kai glances over his shoulder as a limousine pulls into the hotel’s covered driveway. “So what about that surf lesson tomorrow? Going to give it a shot?”

“I’ll be terrible.”

“You’ll do great.”

“I’ll never get up.”

“You’ll get up the first time.”

I laugh. “Kai, I’m not one of your sweet young things just out of college.”

“I know. You’re a mother. Divorced. Two kids. Nonathletic. Have I left anything out?”

“Just my Suburban.”

“You have a Suburban?”

“Everyone does in Seattle.”

“Jesus,” he mutters, raking a hand through his hair. “Why?”

“Wet weather. Four-wheel-drive vehicles can head to the mountains for skiing, tow boats, carry a lot of equipment.”

“You ski?”

“The family does.”

“You don’t?”

“Not very well.”

“Why not?”

“I hate going too fast.”

He laughs, shakes his head. “All right. Eleven o’clock tomorrow. Go to the beach desk where you were earlier today inquiring about lessons with me—”

“You know?” I feel heat rush through me, warming my face.

“Yeah. Tommy told me.”

I just stare at Kai, mortified. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“I thought it was cute. Didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“And you do now?”

Kai’s white teeth flash. “So I’ll see you at eleven.”

“You’re already booked tomorrow for eleven.”

“I’ll work it out.”

“Kai—”

“Eleven.” He turns, not giving me a chance to argue, and walks away. And I stand there and watch him go and feel like I’m all of sixteen again.

Chapter Six

Six