Page 22 of Pallas & Kawehi

She’d replayed that moment at the mall over and over again. The way he put his hands on her hips and stepped in closer. She’d started the touching so she couldn’t blame him for basically doing the same thing, could she?

His hands were warm, his fingers long, and the weight of his touch made her feel like a living, breathing woman again.

Why, she wondered, why had she been so blinded by… love? It was a question that she’d asked herself over and over again. How had she fallen for Nick? He was a sullen man for the most part and she was used to men in her life who were gentle, happy, and supportive. Sullen?

Not really.

But that wasn’t all that he was.

He’d be sweet off and on. He’d be thoughtful, too.

Then there were the times that he loved on her so hard it felt like she was swept right off of her feet. And then he’d hold onto her tight and tell her that she was everything he’d ever wanted and more.

He was always there, checking in with her and bringing her things.

It seemed thoughtful, but her uncle was the one who didn’t like it when he came around. Her uncle, who asked her to take a break. Take a step back and just think about it. About Nick.

She’d been so in love with Nick at that time she saw her uncle’s… hesitation as-

No, she hadn’t seen it as anything. Nick would always tell her that her uncle didn’t want to lose her at the bowling alley. That her uncle didn’t want her to be happy.

Nick had her thinking that her uncle was holding her back.

And if she’d been thinking clearly, she wouldn’t have felt like she needed to take a break from her family.

She wouldn’t have married Nick so quickly thinking that she was ready for something new in her life.

It seemed like the old adage was true. “Marry in haste. Repent at leisure.”

“Uh oh, it seems like you’re thinking about He-who-should-not-be-named.”

Kawehi sighed. “I was zoning out, wasn’t I?”

Her cousin Maile gave her a sorrowful smile. “It wasn’t that bad, honey. It would have just looked like you left a mannequin behind the counter.”

“A mannequin? Oh god! Really?” Kawehi hung her head. “I can’t believe it.” She pushed the thoughts away. “What can I get you, Cuz?”

“You don’t have to get me anything, I just-”

“Spit it out. Or go hungry.”

Maile laughed out loud and then covered her mouth. “Wow. You really are in a mood. Okay, fine. Won Ton Min and a coke, Miss Grumpy.”

“I’m not grumpy.”

Maile gave her a look that stopped Kawehi’s protest. “Please tell that to someone who doesn’t know you.”

“Okay, I’m a little grumpy, but you were right. I was thinking about Nick.”

Maile sat forward on one of the stools and leaned in. “Come on, spill it.”

Kawehi tried to wave it away. “Leave it alone or I’m not going back into the kitchen to order your food.”

“Like that would stop me.”

She got up from the stool and walked around behind Kawehi. Well, she tried to go behind Kawehi. But instead, the two women tangled up together and almost fell into the kitchen.

Looking up from the prep table, Kawehi’s and Maile’s uncle just tsked at them and waved his cleaver.