10. Mila

TEN

The biggest fool is the one who

thinks they have fooled everyone.

~ Unknown

I'm placing lettuce in the homemade chicken salad croissant sandwich I'm making for Kai when the front door opens and closes. Kai's in the doorway of the kitchen moments later, looking slightly frazzled. He's changed out of the dress pants he had on this morning into shorts and a T-shirt. His dark hair is mussed, as if he's been running his hands through it. He places a palm on the back of his neck and fixes his gaze on me before walking further into the kitchen.

"Did you eat?" he asks me.

"Not yet. But don't worry about me. Here. Sit." I point to one of the stools around the island.

"Thanks. Please, make yourself something and join me. You know I don't like eating alone, and you need lunch."

I consider resisting him, but then I think better of it. "Okay," I say with a smile. "If you insist."

"I do."

Kai doesn't take a bite of his sandwich until mine is made and I'm seated across from him. When he finally does dig in, he smiles over at me. "This is delicious. Everything you make has that special something about it. I don't know how you do it."

"It's just a family recipe."

"Nope. It's you."

I feel myself blush slightly. I've never been great about accepting compliments, and with the recent increase in touches from Kai … and especially that unexpected kiss to my temple this morning, his words hit me in a different way. A good way—like a cup of hot cinnamon tea on the porch swing at night, or the first firework over the water on the Fourth of July.

"Did you come over here just to make me squirm under your compliments, Kai?" My voice is meant to come across teasing, but there's an airiness to it that surprises me.

Kai's face grows serious. "No. Actually, we need to talk."

"Okaaaay. Is everything alright?"

"Mostly. I'm sure it is. It's just …" Kai looks over at me, setting his sandwich down and running his hand through his hair, mussing it up even more.

Then Kai goes on to tell me about Shaw texting him and Ben's teasing because an employee at the front desk called to gossip about seeing us outside Horizons. I sit quietly, listening to Kai. My mind whirls. I didn't intend for him to declare himself my boyfriend in front of Brad in the first place, but up until this moment, the farce seemed harmless and helpful. If I can keep Brad from thinking I'm available, it will simplify things if I allow him into Noah's life, which I will have to do somehow. He is Noah's father, after all.

But now, people are talking. Granted, they are people at the resort, which is on the other side of the island, but news here travels. It's one of the reasons I've avoided actually dating all these years.

"Does Shaw know Brad?" Kai asks.

"They went to high school together. We all did."

"That's what I was afraid of."

"Okay. So." I start to say something definitive, to offer up an idea as to how we can move forward, but I come up blank. So, I just look at Kai, hoping he's got an idea even though I'm at a loss.

"I've been thinking about this for the past two hours." Kai reaches over and places his hand on top of mine.

My eyes drift down to where his light golden skin engulfs mine. It's not like Kai and I never touch. We occasionally bump into one another when we're working on a project together. We've hugged. He's nudged me playfully. But this touch is one of comfort, and it reminds me too much of what it felt like to be nestled into his side, held up by him when my world was falling apart.

"I think we can go about this a few different ways," Kai says. "And we ought to think through each option and the ramifications if we choose that course of action. Then, maybe, the way forward will be clear."

"Sounds logical."

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze and returns to eating his sandwich.

"First," he says. "The obvious option. We can call this off, clear things up with Shaw and Ben, and move forward like nothing happened. I'd just text Shaw and say, ‘Mila and I are not together. I was just helping her talk to Brad.' And then I'd tell Ben, ‘Mila and I really aren't dating. Trust me.' To be fair, knowing Ben, he won't buy it at first, but over time, when he saw us still acting as friends, he would."

"Okay. Yeah. That sounds good."

"Does it?"

It's funny Kai should ask that, because something in me feels … disappointed? Why? I should feel relieved that we'd be calling our farce off and ending it sooner than later. I'm smart enough to know any lie breeds lies. And those lies breed lies. This would be no different, would it?

Maybe it's just that the words, call this off, sound too much like a break up, and I don't relish the idea of anything that involves losing Kai. Not that I'd be losing him. He's right here. He'll still be my friend like he's always been.

"Yeah. I think so," I finally say. "What's the downside to this option? It seems the most direct and obvious."

"Right. Well, the main downside is Brad. You said this morning that you liked the idea of him thinking you were attached to someone. Do you need to put up a front with him?"

The question feels intimate. I don't usually talk about my marriage, not even with Chloe. I shut the door and moved forward years ago. But now it's all right in my face, demanding attention since Brad showed up and rocked the foundation of the life I've built for Noah and myself with one simple request—to see his son.

"He hasn't said as much, but I know Brad. Maybe I'm crazy …"

"You're not. Trust your instincts, Mila. You were married to the man. You do know him. Is he interested in more than seeing Noah? Is this whole thing possibly a ploy to get to see you too?"

"I don't know if I'd go as far as to say it's a ploy, but he told me I looked beautiful this morning."

"You did."

Kai comments on my appearance like he's observing the weather. There's a storm blowing in. Also, you looked beautiful. But something in me thrills at his compliment. What woman wouldn't? Here's an attractive, kind man, sitting alone with me in my kitchen telling me I looked beautiful. Anyone would feel goosebumps and a little flip in their belly. It's natural.

"To answer you," I steer us back to the point at hand. "I'm not sure. He seemed like he regretted letting me go. He said things like, I think about you every day."

"He said he thinks about you every day."

"I think so. Yeah. Sorry. My brain was so overwhelmed and I was full of nerves. It's hard to recall the exact words he used. But, yes. He said that."

"Mila." Kai's hand slips across the table and over mine again. "A man doesn't tell a woman he's thinking about her daily unless she's on his mind. Brad never got over you."

Kai's expression is serious. "Take it from a man. When a woman gets under our skin, we're determined. And we'll play the long game to win her back. From what you're telling me, Brad may want to connect with Noah. I'm not second-guessing his motives in that area. But there's no doubt he's got ideas about seeing you again, maybe even reunification."

"That's not happening." My tone is forceful, absolute.

Kai grins. "Okay, tiger." He chuckles.

I shake my head and drop my gaze to the plate in front of me. "Sorry. I'm just never getting back with Brad. It's not an option. He …" I blink, unsure where the tears are suddenly coming from. When I look up, Kai has the most compassionate look on his face. His amber eyes search mine. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. "He left me, Kai. When I was pregnant."

We sit quietly. Kai doesn't press me. His hand remains over mine, like an anchor—a soft, warm, strong anchor.

"I forgive him. I forgave him a long time ago."

"I know you did. It's one of your most remarkable traits. You are very forgiving and so hospitable. Those qualities go hand in hand. You open yourself up to people easily—and you make them feel wanted and welcome."

I search his eyes. He's so sincere. We've been friends for almost four years, but Kai's usually here on business, checking up on me, on the inn. This is the most personal conversation we've ever had. It could feel awkward, but instead, I feel safe.

"Thank you."

My voice is soft, still soaked in the emotions of talking about Brad, and also these unusual reactions I'm having to my friend right now. Obviously, this fake dating thing has played with my head, and Brad's appearance has made me more vulnerable and emotional.

"So, you may need a beard. Is that what they call it?" Kai strokes his chin. "Because I'm all about the beard."

"Oh my gosh!" I bust out laughing. "Kai!"

"What?" he plays it up, flexing his biceps and then slowly dragging one hand through his thick, dark hair. "I'm a great beard. What guy has a chance against all this?"

I giggle. Like a flipping schoolgirl. What in the world has come over me? This is Kai—my friend. I've just never seen him turn on the charm like this. It's a bit disarming.

As if he didn't just put on that show, Kai's voice turns serious. "If you need Brad to keep thinking you are in a relationship, this gets trickier, but not impossible."

"I really don't want to lie."

"I'm not a fan of dishonesty either. Not at all. You know that. But desperate times …" Kai pauses. "Would Brad accept it if you told him you were unavailable?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I think, knowing Brad, he'd feign acceptance, maybe he'd even convince himself he was fine with it, but he'd start to push his luck."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"Exhausted." The mere thought of having to fend off Brad's possible advances while navigating how to let him into Noah's life wears me out so much I want to walk down the hall and curl up in a ball on my bed.

"Well, that settles it. We have to keep pretending. It's a protection for you—one you need."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Besides, I don't think I can stand by while that guy tries to reconnect with you. So far, both times I've seen him with you I went into some sort of automatic reaction."

I smile. I'm as pro-woman as the next gal. But I'm not going to lie. A man who gets feral when he sees me struggling and in need of support? That might just be my kryptonite. I loved both times Kai stepped in to protect me from Brad. He didn't overstep or treat me like I couldn't handle myself. He just came alongside me with a strength I lacked in the moment.

"I noticed that automatic reaction," I smile. "Kai in caveman mode. Watch out, ladies." My comment is meant to be teasing.

Kai's eyes darken momentarily, his pupils nearly swallowing the amber of his irises. He clears his throat.

"Okay. So. We'd better get a game plan together," he suggests. His tone is all business now.

"Yes. A game plan. Right."

I take a bite of my croissant. "We need drinks."

"It's not even one o'clock," Kai teases.

"Ha. How about some sweet tea? Or I made strawberry lemonade?"

"I'd love some of your lemonade."

I pour Kai a lemonade and myself an iced tea, and rejoin him at the island.

"So, if we are going to pull this off for Brad, ideally, we could wait until he comes back," Kai says. "If no one else knew, we'd be able to put our charade on ice. But it's complicated now that Shaw and Ben and this wahine, Bree, all know."

Kai lapses into Hawaiian terms when he's upset or nervous. I've watched this over the years. It's pretty darn cute, and I'll never call him on it, just like I never called Noah on saying bisgetti. I knew he'd outgrow it, and it tickled me every time he'd say it. Kai won't outgrow this habit, and I'm secretly glad of that.

"Right," I agree, taking a sip of my tea.

"So, we can play it by ear?" He says it half as a question and half as a statement.

"What would that look like? And we have to think of Noah."

"Of course. Noah comes first. Always. I'm just thinking, I only really see Shaw once a week. I don't even know Bree. Ben said I just need to tell him to zip it and he will. He actually used that motion so much when we were talking I wanted to reach over and see if I could find an invisible zipper to make him stop talking."

I chuckle.

"You laugh. You weren't there. He was like a toddler hyped up on Cap'n Crunch. No. A sugar-amped toddler who's been watching Cocomelon all day long."

"Not Cocomelon!" I fake a horrified look, putting my hands on either side of my face, raising my eyebrows and pursing my lips in an O.

"Right?"

"That show was banned after a while around here."

"Rightfully so. Anyway, the point is, despite Ben's inappropriate exuberance, he'll zip it if I tell him to keep things under wraps. So, we don't have much to worry about. Then, if the situation calls for it, we will fake a dating relationship. Only, not in front of Noah. Every adult who thinks we're dating needs to know we're not telling Noah. That's a line they'll gladly honor."

Before I think better of it, I'm blurting out, "Oh, you're right. Whenever my aunts would try to tell me what a cute couple we'd make, they'd always say, ‘We won't tell Noah until things are serious.'"

Kai stares at me a beat too long. Then he says, "Your aunts thought we'd be cute together?"

"In a metaphorical, hypothetical, completely fantastical, not real, imaginary way … Yes."

"Hmm." Kai just hums.

He studies me from across the table.

Then he says, "Okay. So, what do you think of that plan?"

"I think it sounds too easy."

"Am I missing something?"

"Well, unlike you, who only reads surfing biographies and crime thrillers, I read romance."

"I know. What do our reading habits have to do with this, if you don't mind me asking? I'm missing the correlation."

"In romance, people fake date all the time."

"They do?"

"They do. It's a thing. Anyway, the key to pulling off a fake romance is having rules."

"Rules."

"Yes. You know." I cross my arms over my chest, looking at Kai seriously now that I'm the one laying out parameters. "Rules. Like, no kissing unless absolutely necessary. Only kissing in front of other people. No catching feelings. Things like that."

"Oh. Yeah. Okay. That makes sense. Well, since you are the one with all the research, write some rules. I'll follow them."

"Unlike the men in my books," I say under my breath.

"What?"

"I said, I think you'll do a far better job of following the rules than the men in my books."

"I am a rule-follower."

"That you are."