11. Kai

ELEVEN

You've got to have a motive, you know.

There are only five important ones.

Fear — jealousy — money — revenge —

and protecting someone you love.

~ Frederick Knott

Ihear voices inside the shack when I come back to work for the afternoon. Mila and I have a plan. I'm still not quite sure how we got here, but she needs me, and that's all that matters now.

Ben's at the back of the shop, talking with a couple and their teen son when I walk in.

"Hey, Kai!" Ben shouts. "Folks, this is Kai, the one I was telling you about. He's an ex-pro surfer, and one of the best teachers on staff. Also, my boss, but I'd still say all that good stuff about him even if he weren't."

I wave at the family. "Nice to meet you."

The teen boy has a slightly awestruck expression on his face after that introduction. It's been a while since anyone looked at me like that. The dad steps away from Ben and over to me.

"Jack Snider," he says, extending his hand. "We're here for two weeks. Visiting from Kansas. Not much surfing there. I'm military, so we move around every few years. My wife, Shelly, homeschools our kids. Cody here has always wanted to learn to surf. So, we'd like to sign him up for lessons with you while we're here."

"Sounds good. Though, Ben's a fantastic teacher too. It might be good to have him with me for a few lessons and then with Ben, just so he gets exposed to a variety of approaches to surfing. The basics are going to be the same, but we each have our style. My future brother-in-law works here too. If he were going to be around, I'd have Cody pair up with him as well."

"Bodhi Merrick?" Cody asks from across the room.

"One and the same."

"Wow."

If I thought Cody looked a little starstruck when he saw me, that was nothing. He's nearly drooling at the mention of Bodhi's name.

"We'll take good care of you, Cody. Do you play any sports back home?"

"Yes, sir. Football, basketball, and I swim."

"That's all going to help. I'm betting you'll stand up and catch a wave your first lesson, but there's no pressure. Some people get the hang of it on day one. Others take a few sessions."

"I'm looking forward to it, sir."

Military family from Kansas. Still, the way Cody says, sir, makes me want to check the mirror for gray hairs. I'm not getting any younger, that's for sure.

I pull out the shop calendar and Mr. Snider and I line up a week's worth of lessons. He wants two weeks, but I assure him Cody may not need them, and if he does, we can schedule them later. Mr. Snider pays, and his family leaves with Cody set to go out with me tomorrow at eight in the morning. After his lesson Noah will come—with Mila.

Thinking of her feels new and strange. After all we've been through in the past two days, something shifted. I've never found myself picturing her as a man imagines a woman. I can't stop myself from conjuring up the way she looked stepping out of Horizons wearing that flowing blouse, her hair down in brown waves. Even as distressed as she was, her warmth and natural beauty drew me to her from across the lobby.

I can easily recall the way she relied on me when she was stressed, tucked into my side where I'd do anything to keep her safe and help alleviate her fears. I picture the way she blushed when I told her I thought she looked beautiful. It was a simple compliment, but something felt different in the delivery and in the way she reacted.

We're going to have to be careful with this charade. We're two single adults. All this touching and pretending feels precarious at times. I'll just have to remind myself she's off limits—just like I always have.

"So, how was lunch? Did you go to Mila's?" Ben's words mercifully snap me out of my daydream.

He makes his way through the store until he's standing only a few feet away from me. The man has no concept of personal space.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I did. She made chicken salad croissants and lemonade."

Ben's smile says, Told you so.

"So?" he asks.

"Okay. You got me. Mila and I are … sort of dating. But we're keeping things quiet. Noah's not used to the idea of his mom seeing anyone. We don't want to upset him unnecessarily."

So far, most of that statement is at least slightly true. Mila and I are sort of dating, as in fake dating. That's sort of, right? And we are definitely keeping things quiet, though Marbella residents and Alicante staff aren't known for keeping juicy details about relationships quiet. We can only hope for the best. And, it's true, we don't want to upset Noah. He isn't used to his mom dating. I feel pretty good after saying all that to Ben. None of it was a direct lie.

Ben literally rubs his hands together like he can't contain his excitement. Then he lets out a whoop. "This is awesome!"

"Could you not? I thought you said you'd keep this on the D.L."

"I am. I am." He makes that infuriating zipping motion across his lips again. "I'm a vault. But right now, it's just you and me out here, and I'm so stoked, bro. This is awesome. You and Mila. Think of it. If this gets serious—which, why wouldn't it?—you'll be Noah's stepdad. Will you live at the inn? What will you do with Shaka when Bodhi and Mavs are traveling? Don't worry, man. I'll talk to Summer. We can pitch in with the dog. Unless Mila lets you take him to the inn with you. I don't know how having a pet works when you're living at an inn. Just know we're here for you—me and Summer."

I stare at Ben, feeling like I just got off the teacup ride at Disney. I don't even know what to address first in that slew of insanity he just spewed out of his supposedly zipped lips. The worst part? I can almost see it. When he says all those things about me moving in with Mila, me taking care of Noah … it's not impossible. Only, it is. And I need to remember that—big time. Like she said earlier about the rules: No catching feelings.

I won't. This is just new. It's an adjustment period. I'll get used to touching her—kissing her. She did say kissing, didn't she? I'll deal. And I'll remain firmly planted in the friend zone where I belong.

Ben claps me on the back. "I'm so happy for you, Kai. Really. This is just what you need. I told you—female companionship. But this is way better. Mila. You and Mila." He shakes his head in disbelief.

"Okay. Well. Celebration time is over. Let's get to work."

"Man. You are a puzzle. If I were you—when I was you, and Summer finally caved and admitted her feelings for me—that's a time to let all that oxytocin and dopamine fly free. Soak that stuff up! Indulge in all the gooshie feelings while you're in the honeymoon stage. It's like nothing you'll ever feel again. Sure, you'll love her for the rest of your life, but this early dating season, it's special. Stop being so self-controlled and let yourself enjoy this."

Honeymoon period? Gooshie feelings? Only Ben.

I do love Mila. But not the way Ben's implying. I love her like a sister—like a good friend. What he's describing … I don't think that's ever happened to me. I wonder if it ever would. Maybe that kind of experience is only for men like Ben who are over the top and full of bubbling emotions by nature.

"I'm not in love," I clarify.

"Yet. Maybe. I'm guessing you might be and you haven't given yourself the memo yet. Just don't hold back. When you find a woman like Mila and she's into you, you go for it. Don't waste this opportunity."

"Is this what it's going to be like now: You acting like Dr. Phil every day? Is this your version of the zipped lip?"

Ben's making me beyond nervous—on so many levels.

"Sorry. Sorry." Ben holds his hands up. "This is me, going outside to rinse off the boards from today's group lesson, boss."

He gives me one more zipper motion for good measure. I'm going to have post-traumatic-zipper-disorder. I'll flinch at the sight or sound of a common, everyday zipper. I wonder if I'll even be able to fasten my own pants after today's episodes with Ben.

Once Ben's outside and I'm alone in the shop, I head to my small nook of an office at the back of the shop next to the dressing rooms. It's so small only a tiny, two-drawer desk and a stool fit in here. But, it has a door, so I can shut myself in when I've had enough of everyone in the shop.

And that's just what I do right now.

I'm working through payroll when a text from Mila comes through.

I smile at the sight of her name.

That's not new. I always smile when she calls or texts. She's my friend. It's normal to smile.

Mila: I left you a message because my text was getting waaaay too long.

Kai: Thanks, checking it now.

Mila: Is this weird? I don't want it to be weird.

Kai: Our arrangement is unconventional. But we have our reasons. Don't second guess it. We had a good talk at lunch. Our plan is solid. I told you I'm here for you, and I meant it.

Mila: Thank you. You're the best. Snickerdoodles for life.

Kai: I'll hold you to that.

Mila: K. Go listen. Let me know if everything seems good.

Kai: Going now. I'll text you after I listen.

Mila: Thanks, Kai.

As soon as we stop texting, I push the button to hear the message Mila left me.

Her voice fills my office, so I turn the volume down and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Kai. It's me, Mila. Of course, you know that. First of all, thank you—for caring, for being there for me these past two days, and for being willing to pretend to be my boyfriend. Am I crazy? Are we crazy? If you had told me I'd be doing this even a week ago, I'd have sent you to bed with some soup and taken your temp—not in that order, and probably not soup in bed. But you know what I mean. I would have never believed this. But here we are. So, like I said, we need ground rules. It will help us stay on track and keep our story straight.

"The basic rules mostly concern physical contact. You can put your arm around me like you've been doing if Brad is here, or if someone needs convincing that we're dating. We may even have to kiss in front of someone at some point if the occasion calls for it. A simple peck should do it."

There's a long pause, a deep breath, and then she continues.

"So, the rule is only touching when we're in front of other people, and only when needed to convince others. Okay? I'm sure that's okay. It's not like you're going around thinking about touching me." Another pause. "Sorry. This is a bit awkward."

My brain unhelpfully starts thinking about touching Mila. I squeeze my eyes shut as if that would fend off the thoughts that seem to have been loosed like a bull out of a pen at a rodeo. I'm lassoing those inclinations and giving a strong tug to the rope to bring them to their knees.

Mila goes on. "And, I'm sure I don't have to say this, but just in case, there's the rule that we won't catch feelings. We're in this as friends. We'll walk out of this as friends. I couldn't bear to lose your friendship. So, let's agree to keep our friendship strong and to protect it through this little farce of ours."

She'll never lose my friendship. I'll make sure of that. Mila's been an amazing friend to me. She's one of the best people I know. I'm going through with this whole ruse because of our friendship. No worries there.

"Then there's the matter of Noah. We have to keep this from him at all costs. I don't ever want to be in a position to lie to my son. I've never lied to him before, and I won't start now. We just need to protect him from our charade. That should be obvious, but I needed to say it. I'm sure you agree.

"And we need a deadline—an end date. But I have no idea how to decide on that. There's one book where the woman needed a fake date for a wedding. Another where the man was trying to make his ex jealous. Oh! I read a few where they fake dated for an inheritance. But that's not us, of course. I guess we'll have to figure a deadline later since our situation isn't one I've seen before in any of the books."

I smile. Mila's adorable—especially when she's all flustered.

"Oh! One last thing. We can't tell anyone we're faking. Not unless we both agree that person can be completely trusted to keep a secret for us. And we both have to agree on any person we tell. I think that's it. If either of us need any other rules, we can put them in place. Let me know what you think." Mila blows out a long breath. "Bye, Kai. And thanks again."

I almost set my phone down, thinking she's finished. Then her voice comes through after at least a five or six second pause. "Wait! Kai? If you want to back out or quit, it's fine. You don't have to do this for me. It's a lot to ask. I know that. There's no hard feelings if you decide this is too much. Okay. Thanks."

The line truly goes dead after that.

I set my phone on my desk.

Ben knocks.

"Come in."

"Was that Mila? I thought I heard her voice."

"I thought you were out rinsing surfboards."

"I was. I finished. Did Mila leave you a voice message? So soon after you were there for lunch? That's a good sign, man."

"She did."

"And you've got the goofy look of a man in love."

"Love? I already told you, it's not love. Dude, slow your roll, okay?"

"Say what you will, but you look like your head is in the clouds. She's got you whipped already. And that's a good thing."

"A thing you are keeping under wraps," I remind him. "And don't make that zipping motion again. Just zip it. Without the motion."

Ben lifts his hand like he's going to make that movement. He holds his pinched fingers together at the side of his mouth. Then he wags his brows playfully.

I clamp my lips shut, pocket my phone, and send up a silent prayer that Ben gets laryngitis. And his hands are simultaneously paralyzed so he can't even pantomime about our secret. Not that I want Ben suffering. I just need him bound and gagged—gently, in a not-too-harmful-but-definitely-effective way. For a while. Until this ruse is over.

A group of men enter the shop. I nod toward them and Ben takes my cue to go see what they need. While Ben is distracted, I send Mila a text.

Kai: Got your voice message. Everything's good on my end. Don't stress. This will be fine. And I'm not backing out. You shouldn't have to face your ex trying to ease his way into Noah's life and him trying to pursue you at the same time. I'm here. We're doing this.

Mila: Sorry for the way I rambled. And, thank you. You'll never know how much relief that gives me. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do this.

Kai: Understandable. But you don't have to worry. This is me, Mila. I'm the same man who's been your friend for the past four years. I'm here for you.

Mila: How did I ever get so lucky?

Kai: I could say the same. Now go about your day as if everything's as it always has been. Brad's not here. You and I get a respite before Act II of this show.

Mila: Thanks, Kai.

I type, anything for you, but then I consider the current blurred lines between us, and I change my text at the last minute before hitting send.

Kai: No problem.