Good Vibrations (Welcome to Paradise) Read online

  The three of us work well together. The small dinner crowd seems pleased which reassures me that I can handle the job since I've never worked in a restaurant before today. I get a break just after six and take a burger to the beach, spending my time in reflection of the first twenty-four hours in Hawaii and what a whirlwind it’s been.

  I've started smoking again, which disappoints me. I’m not a heavy smoker, more of a nervous one. I picked up the bad habit after Will broke up with me. I quit a few months later, but something about Evan and seeing him at the airport drove me back to the habit. While walking to the designated smoking spot out front, I kick up some rocks with my toe. I lean against the wall and light up.

  Four rowdy guys in a black Jeep pull into the lot and park after performing a donut, which sends dirt flying everywhere, including on me. I hack from the dust that fills the air. Right, hacking from the dirt not the cigarette, I sarcastically think. I dust myself off wanting to call them my favorite swear word, but I resist knowing they are customers of Big Kehones and I need this job.

  The driver rushes over. "Hey, I'm sorry about that." He swats at my jean clad legs to get the dirt off. "I didn't see you there or I wouldn't have pulled that stunt."

  I hack one more time just for effect before taking another long drag of my cigarette. His warm brown eyes watch my mouth the entire time. Dropping the cigarette into the dirt, I shrug. "That's cool. No harm done."

  He smiles. I can tell he's relieved. His friends walk toward the large garage door style opening into the restaurant, but one stops and says, "Come on, Kalei. I'm hungry. Get your ass in here or you're buying."

  "I think your friends want you." I point out the obvious since he's still standing here looking at me.

  He glances over his shoulder, and yells, "Fuck off. I'll be in, in a minute."

  "I see you’re close?" I add, my smart-ass side kicking in.

  He laughs. "Yeah, too close, we're cousins."

  "Ah."

  "You're new around here."

  "You're very observant." I leave the opening for him to tell me his name.

  "Nohea Kalei."

  "Nohea Kalei." I stick my hand out to formally introduce myself, "Mallory Wray."

  "You can call me Noah. It’s easier for a haole, though I’m impressed you got it right the first time."

  There's something about his eyes that intrigue me. A depth and kindness that draws me in. "Today's my first day."

  "This place needed some new blood. Don't get me wrong. Sunny is hot as fu… sorry about the language. I have a problem with swearing too much. She’s hot, but she’s waiting for Mr. Right."

  "The swearing doesn't bother me. So, you use this as more of a pick-up joint than a place to eat and drink?"

  "No, that's not what I meant. I mean Sunny is sweet, but unavailable and that only leaves Alana and her sister who sometimes works a shift."

  "That doesn't really answer my question."

  "Um, no… it's not why we come here."

  I look at my watch and as much as I enjoy eyeing up this tall hottie, I need to get back to work. It is my first day and all. "Well, Noah Kalei, it was nice to meet you." I walk around him and then backwards towards the door. "Will I see you inside?"

  He nods and I get back to work.

  When I return to the bar, I watch Noah enter, the small crowd greeting him. The old men are waving, Alana says 'hi', and his friends are laughing at him, most likely because of me.

  Sunny comes out from the kitchen and stands next to me. "That's Noah—"

  "Yeah, we just met."

  She responds with, "Mmm, I see." I can tell by her tone what she's insinuating, making me see him as a prospect for the first time. He's at least six-two, but I'm guessing closer to six-three or four. He has short, almost black hair, gelled, and each lock appears to be carefully arranged. His body is killer. He's handsome in a Men's Health magazine, rugged kind of way which is the only way to be handsome if you ask me. Who says you need pretty, GQ boys like Evan!

  Sunny stays and chats with him when she delivers his food. She turns around and looks at me at the same time Noah does. Since they are busted they both quickly look back down to the table she's been perched against for a few minutes. They both laugh and then she hits him playfully on the arm before pushing off the table and coming back to the bar. "So, Noah, huh?" she asks with raised eyebrows.

  "So, Noah, huh, what?"

  "Oh, Mallory, you have an admirer over there who just said the nicest things about you."

  "He obviously doesn't know me then."

  “I’d say he knows you quite well actually.”

  I roll my eyes as I walk over to check on some older men playing cards.

  Good to know hottie is interested in me, but with Evan recently ripping my heart, I can’t bring myself to appreciate the 'catch' that Noah seems to be. Looking up as I wipe down the bar, he's smiling at me. I return one because he's cute, but notice that when he smiles, he's really hot, too. The few days I've been in Hawaii are already better than my entire last year in Colorado.

  I hear Sunny laugh from across the restaurant. It’s annoying because I know why she's laughing. Walking back to the bar, I toss the towel down. “What?”

  "Just go for it. Noah's a good guy and look at him. He's damn good looking." She moves closer, leaning her back against the bar.

  "Noah Kalei, huh?" Johnny pipes in while sitting down on a barstool next to us.

  "Why does everyone keep saying that?" I laugh at the ridiculousness of the gossip going on, but my body starts to crave a cigarette. "And I thought Boulder was small."

  "This island is smaller than you think, Mallory. Get ready for everyone to be in your business." Sunny says, sitting on a stool next to Johnny.

  Johnny looks over his shoulder at Noah then turns back to me, and says, "That's his gang, his posse, whatever. Some people don't care for them, but I've known them since I was little. They don't cause any real harm. Noah is kind of like their leader. Ironically, he's the nicest of the bunch. I'd hate to think what kind of trouble they'd cause if he wasn't there keeping them in line."

  "A girl can't resist a bad boy. Can she, Mal?" Sunny adds.

  Johnny laughs. While looking at Sunny, he raises an in-the-know eyebrow and says, "At least, it's not Ashford."

  "I think he gets a bad rap," Sunny says.

  "Who's Ashford?" I ask curious to who makes such an interesting impression on them.

  Johnny leans forward and lowers his voice. "He's a guy that comes in here every now and then." He glances over to Noah. "Kalei and Ashford don't get along. Their groups don't mesh."

  "Is it a territorial turf war or what?" They talk in hushed tones like they're opposing gangs.

  Sunny giggles. "Nothing like that. More like locals versus the haoles."

  "What's a haole?" I ask, recognizing it from when Noah said it earlier.

  "Haole is basically someone not of Hawaiian ancestry. It's kind of divided here still."

  "So this Ashford guy is not from here, but he lives here now?"

  Sunny hops off the bar stool. "Listen, as fascinating as this conversation is on the biases of the island, we need to clean up or we're going to be here later than I want. My hand hurts and I just want to go home and relax."

  She checks on the tables and we start the clean-up process. I look up and see Noah bringing his empty pitcher to me. Leaning against the bar, his voice is low, obviously not wanting to be overheard by any of his friends. "Will you be working here?"

  "For the summer. Do you come in a lot?"

  He shakes his head. "Not much lately, but I will now." He reaches his hand over for mine and when I take it, he smiles. "It's very nice to meet you, Mallory Wray."

  "Likewise, Nohea Kalei."

  "Noah."

  "All right, Noah."

  He winks at me, but it's not creepy or cocky. His expression is friendly and kind. He walks towards the door joining his friends, and says, "Goodnight, Mallory."

  "Goodni
ght."

  Chapter 6

  As soon as Sunny and I walk into the apartment, she goes into the kitchen to take her pain medication. "I'm exhausted and going to bed. You bunking with me or taking the couch?"

  "I'll take the couch."

  “Remember, the place is your home too, so help yourself to whatever. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” I say, straightening the sheet and blanket on the couch. Crawling under the covers, I adjust the pillow under my head and stare out the sliding glass door in front of me. I didn't bother closing the blinds since I enjoy the view of the darkness outside. My eyes get heavy and I drift off to sleep.

  Dreams of Noah wrapping his strong arms around me, and me lifting up on my tiptoes to meet his supple lips while his big hands handle me the way I like, dance around my head. But, when I stop kissing him and open my eyes, it's Evan. Blue eyes looking into my green eyes, hands gently caressing me how he already knows I like to be touched, and our bodies aroused by the chemistry we share.

  I sit up startled from sleep and see the start of a sunrise in the distance through the glass. My heart races as I calm myself back into reality. I lay back down hoping for sleep to take me again, but it doesn't. Five- fifteen in the morning and I'm wide awake. I sit up again and rub my eyes and decide to walk the two blocks down to the beach. Dressing in my my cut-offs and tank top, I slip on my sneakers and leave, hoping I don’t wake Sunny.

  The walk is easy, breezy, and before six in the morning, very quiet. Birds are tweeting in the distance and the seagulls flying above signal I'm near the water. When I land at the edge of the beach, I pull off my shoes and carry them with me down to the water. The sand is surprisingly fine and soft under my feet.

  I sit a few feet from the water's edge watching the tide roll in and marvel at the sight before me. I still can't believe I took Sunny up on her offer to visit for the summer. This has to be the most daring and adventurous thing I've ever done, and as I look out at this beautiful turquoise ocean, I definitely don't regret it. Another thought challenges my happy moment. Evan might now be the most daring and adventurous thing I've ever done. Chuckling at the comparison, I realize I don't regret him either. Even though he treated me poorly the next morning, it’s hard to regret the best sex you've ever had.

  I take a walk down the beach and watch as the sun rises higher over the horizon. Looking ahead, I see surfers on the beach preparing for their own adventures. Some are paddling out and some are waxing their boards. They're tan and fit. I don't get too close, but take a seat in the sand and watch them.

  After awhile, I get hot and decide to head back to the apartment. I dust my feet and slip my sneakers back on, knowing that I'll probably always have sand in my shoes while I’m on the island.

  When I arrive, Sunny is sipping coffee on her little patio that faces the parking lot. "Good morning. Did you walk down to the beach?" she asks with a small smile.

  I nod. "It’s beautiful. How's the hand?"

  "Better than yesterday." She stops to yawn then says, "I made coffee."

  "Good because I need some caffeine." I walk inside and pour myself a cup before rejoining her on the patio. Sitting in a plastic chair, I tuck my feet under my bottom.

  "I think Noah might come by this week again," I say, trying for casual.

  "Did he tell you that?" She sits up giving me her full attention.

  I smile. She never changes which I love. "He said, now that I'm working there, he might come by more often."

  "So, what'd you say?"

  "Nothing really. I’d just met him." But I can’t hide my smile.

  "You like him. Mallory Wray likes a boy!" She jumps up and hugs my head.

  I swat her off. "All right, all right. Get your jugs out of my face, lady!" I tease. "I think he's kind of cute and nice."

  She sits back down. "He's very cute and he's always been super sweet to me."

  "Yeah, he said you were waiting for Mr. Right."

  "You know I'm not dating anyone. This year hasn't been my best as far as men go."

  "You have your pick of any guy out there, Sunny. You always have. So why aren’t you seeing anyone?"

  Leaning back in contemplation, she looks at me before she gives me an obviously rehearsed answer. "Just haven't been asked out by Mr. Right, I guess."

  I sense her hesitation, which is strange because we've always been so open with each other about everything. Until now that is. She seems to be keeping a secret and I have no right to push since the guilt I carry from keeping my rendezvous with Evan a secret weighs on me. But like her, I'm not ready to share. So I don't push.

  We sit a few minutes longer before heading in and getting dressed for the day. Our shifts are scheduled together since we share Sunny’s rusted VW bus that she bought for fifteen hundred dollars when she started school here two years ago.

  We’re at work by eleven and raise the large open-air doors on both sides of the place, which allow the breezes to flow through the building.

  When the lunch crowd leaves and the restaurant dies down, I grab a barstool and watch the two older men argue, accusing each other of cheating.

  "Hi, Mallory."

  I jump, startled from behind. When I turn, it’s Noah standing there. "You scared me."

  He smiles, it’s shy. “Sorry about that. I’ll try to announce myself next time.” His smile turns playful. “How are you?”

  "Good, how about yourself?"

  "Really good except the service in here is slow."

  “You’re full of jokes today,” I say, sarcastically. “What are you having?”

  “Cola, straight up.”

  “Cola no ice coming right up.” I fill a glass and set it on the counter between us.

  He stays for a while and I talk about my life back home at the University of Colorado and my studies. He talks about his passions—surfing and customizing cars. “I’ve been dying to get my hands on Sunny’s VW.”

  “Really?”

  “Totally. I could get rid of the rust damage and make that car sparkle.” He slides off the stool and says, “C’mon. Let’s go look at it.”

  “Sunny?” I call into the kitchen. “Grab your keys and come out front.”

  She joins us a few minutes later out in the parking lot. Noah raises his hands and she tosses him the keys.

  “He’s gonna look at it. He might be able to get rid of the rust and paint it.”

  “I can’t afford that, Noah. I appreciate it though.”

  “Just step back and let me have some space,” he says, waving for us to back up.

  Noah bends over and looks under the bumper, analyzing something as he picks at the flaking beige paint. I take the opportunity to do a little analyzing myself. He's wearing a fitted black tank top that shows off his muscles quite well. He has a tattoo that wasn't visible yesterday under his shirt.

  "The structure of the body looks solid. That's a good sign," he says, rising back to his full height. Sunny and I gaze upon him as he crosses his arms over his chest. He's gorgeous. "I can come over one day while you're working or to your house when you're off and take a closer look. I'd really like to work on your body." My mouth drops open and I feel the heat reach my cheeks as he smiles looking between us. I glance at her and she's blushing too.

  He chuckles and the sound breaks the stunned silence we’re in and he clarifies what he meant. "The car's body. Do you want to go with the original color?"

  Sunny laughs, blushing. "I’m ready for something more fun."

  "We could go vintage red. I’ll do some research."

  “I love that idea,” she says, beaming.

  The three of us walk back inside and Noah taps his hand on the bar. "I need to go. I've got some work to do for my family." He turns to me, but hesitates, all confidence gone. "Um, so, you think you'd like to hang out later… maybe after you get off work tonight?"

  His eyes go to the floor while waiting for me to respond, but the words don’t come fast enough and an awkward silence fills the air. He loo
ks back up, and suggests, "We can watch a movie or hang out and talk on the beach."

  I look to Sunny whose eyes are bugging out telling me to go for it, but I’m still unsure for some reason. Feeling the pressure to respond, I reply, "Sure. That sounds fun. We're closing at nine tonight."

  "Great. I'll pick you up out front."

  "Okay. Cool."

  He walks out with a spring to his step and a smile on his face. I just said yes to someone that seems to be a nice guy, so I should feel happier than I do. Instead I feel weird inside.

  "Way to go, girl!" Sunny smiles and I force one on for show.

  When she disappears into the back, I rest my head in my hands willing myself to feel good. My head jolts up when a raucous group walks in.

  “Get your game face on, Mal. We’ve got company.”

  The group heads straight for the large table in the back, taking over like they own the joint. Sunny turns to me, and asks, "You want this table?"

  A bunch of college age guys who look hot from here. Yeah, it’s a bit intimidating. "No, you can have it."

  Johnny strolls in behind them and greets me as he sits at the counter. "I see Ashford's in today. Weird since we were just talking about him. His ears must’ve been burnin’."

  "Which one's Ashford?" I ask, leaning forward to get a better look at the customers. Sunny is at the table and moves around to the other side and that's when I see him.

  Evan.

  "He's the one in the green shirt."

  I'm too stunned to say anything, so I stand there like an idiot. Of course, it couldn't be as simple as leaving that night in the past. Of course, he would walk into the place where I work. Of course, the guy in the green shirt is Evan Ashford! That's how my luck works—it doesn't. Whatever I do, karma kicks my ass for doing it.

  The people at the table are watching him and his blonde friend, especially the two girls with them. My only saving grace, as I duck down to pretend to be washing glasses, is that he hasn't seen me yet.