He releases my hand, and I go back to dressing myself. When I turn around, I’m greeted with the sight of Callum sitting on the edge of the bed, legs hooked over the side. His honey-blond hair is ruffled, his five-o’clock shadow is extra scruffy, his eyes are puffy, and he looks more delicious than any breakfast-in-bed option I could ever ask for.

There’s something expectant in his eyes. The corner of his mouth hooks upward. “Are you busy tonight? I’m going to need your help.”

Chapter 14

When Callum and I walk into the lobby of the Travaasa Hana resort, I gawk. There’s an open courtyard with a perfectly square fountain in the middle. Plush benches and chairs are positioned throughout, along with lush greenery that sets a decidedly tropical vibe. The color palette is warm all the way, with shades of orange, yellow, and brown filling the open-concept space.

A muttered “whoa” slips from my lips.

Callum grins down at me. “I can’t believe you’ve never made it to Hana in all the time you’ve lived here.”

I twist my head around the opulent space for the millionth time. My eyes catch on the four identical spouts at each corner of the fountain. Each one spits perfectly arched streams of water into the air.

“If I had known just how spectacular this place is, I would have come here sooner.”

We walk up to the front desk, and Callum asks for Ted.

“You sure you want me here?” I ask.

“Positive.” Callum winks at me.

“I’ll have to thank Finn later for being so smitten with Grace that I got to steal his cooking gig.”

Despite the awkward moment we shared after Finn inadvertently gave away that Callum is most assuredly enjoying other women’s company in addition to mine, I jumped at the chance to help him cook dinner. I haven’t done a high-end dinner service since my Portland days, and I’m aching to dive back in. Plus, I have the day to myself since Mom is spending Easter with Mrs. Tokushige’s family. Now that Callum and I are focused on a mutual goal of salvaging a fancy holiday dinner, we’re distracted from our awkwardness. Even the car ride here was tension-free since we spent it planning tonight’s menu.

A tall, flustered pale guy who looks about thirty shuffles from the back, rounding the reception counter to meet us.

A relieved smile stretches across his face before he pulls Callum into a bear hug. “Thank fuck you’re here, mate. The guest chef I booked for tonight couldn’t make it because his flight was canceled. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t said yes.”

Callum ruffles Ted’s short-cropped brown hair. Ted softly punches his arm, and they exchange a laugh.