Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Lalani just entered her apartment when her phone rang. She knew from the ringer, it was her father.

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

“Nothing, just checking on ya.”

It was a hard concept to get used to. It had always fallen on her mother to check on Lalani. Since she died, Lalani’s father felt the need to check on her. Almost every day.

She loved him, but it was still strange.

“Well, I just got done with my late afternoon class.”

“Any hot plans for the night?”

She laughed. “No. Just going over to Alana and Marco’s. They’re having a little pool party.”

“Ah. Are you the same girl I knew just a few years ago who thrived on being up at all hours?”

She rolled her eyes as she started her shower. “That girl was twenty and not nearing thirty. I have learned I like sleep better.”

Her father grunted, and that was never a good sign.

“Did you want to come over to the party? I’m sure Marco and Alana wouldn’t mind.”

“Good God, no. I’m sure it’s going to be a bunch of young people.”

She thought of Anthony. “Well, not all that young. A Santini relation just hit the island for a few days.”

“Ah. The Santinis tend to absorb people into their family.”

That stopped her. “I didn’t know you knew them that well.”

“Hmm, yeah, mainly Papa. But I’ve met all three of the other brothers along the way. Hard not to.”

“You haven’t met Anthony, have you?”

“The one that is staying at the guesthouse?”

“Yes.”

“Nope. I think most of the kids were entering the military about the time I left. Once we moved back to Hawaii, I didn’t have interaction with most of my old Marine buddies unless they came over for a trip.”

And he didn’t regret it. She knew without asking. Moving back to Hawaii had been a dream of her father and mother for as long as she could remember.

“Well, I am going to jump in the shower. Still kind of sweaty.”

Her father chuckled. “We still on for breakfast?”

“Always. Where?”

“How about I come out your way and we hit the Wailana Coffee House?”

“Sounds good. Nine?”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“Love you.”

“Love you. Have fun tonight, little girl.”

She smiled as she turned off her phone. There were things about New York City she missed, but she happily traded them for all the time with her father. And she was truly happy these days.

With a sigh, she headed to the bathroom. She was already running behind, and traffic on Pali Hawaii on a Friday afternoon was going to be a bitch.

Aeden Fitzpatrick whistled when he saw the view from Marco and Alana’s back lanai. “Damn. If it wasn’t for my family, I might abandon Baltimore for a view like this.”

“I’ll let Kaitlin know your feelings about that.”

He smiled. “I said if it wasn’t for my family. Can’t let Kaitlin have that baby by herself.”

He took a long sip of his beer and Anthony studied him. They were close to the same age, but where Anthony was happy with his life at the moment, Aeden gave off the feeling that he wasn’t happy. He was…restless. That’s what Kaitlin said, and he was fairly certain his pretty sister-in-law had it right.

“So, we have this pool party, but I’m sure there are some things you want to do other than just hang out at the pool.”

“I’d like to take a drive around the island. The Arizona, of course. My grandfather was stationed up at, what is that…Schofield Barracks. Is that right?”

Anthony nodded.

“Then, if there is anything else you think I should see.”

“That’s a good start. Like to hike? There’s some great places in Waimea Valley.”

Aeden was about to open his mouth, but he paused as his attention was captured by something over Anthony’s shoulder. “Damn. Who’s that?”

Anthony turned and saw Lalani walking across the lanai with Jon on her hip. He had known she was coming, and he thought he was prepared for it. Now he realized he would never be able to deal with her. Today she was wearing an orange tank top and another pair of board shorts. She’d put a scarf on her head, which had some kind of intricate design that matched her shirt.

“Santini?”

He shook himself out of his stupor. “Lalani. A friend of Alana’s. Be careful…Alana could try and fix you up.”

He slanted Anthony a look, then turned his attention back to Lalani. “I’m okay with that if you aren’t leaning that way.”

“No. Not interested,” he said, mentally crossing his fingers. He was attracted to her, what heterosexual man wouldn’t be? She was striding over to them with that loose sway of hers that was relaxed and so fucking sexy. So, yes, he was attracted, but he wasn’t interested. Not really. “Be careful, the woman has claws.”

The smile Aeden gave him had Anthony grinding his teeth. “Ah, Santini, if you knew me better you would know that isn’t a deterrent.”

Lalani made her way over to them. “Hey, Santini.”

“I’m a Santini, too,” Jon announced.

“Yeah, but you’re cuter.”

Jon giggled and clapped. “Yes. My Lani.”

Then, he grabbed her face and kissed her.

“I see how it is, Jon. Throwing me to the wolves.”

Jon set his head on her shoulder and smiled. He didn’t blame the little boy. He wouldn’t mind doing the same thing.

Dammit .

“This is Aeden Fitzpatrick. We have siblings who are married and procreating.”

She laughed, and he hated the way it danced through his blood.

“Nice to meet you, Aeden Fitzpatrick. I’m Lalani Hawkins.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“How are you liking the island so far?”

He shrugged. “Not too bad. Although, I just got here.”

“Where did you fly in from?”

“Baltimore.”

“Oh, I love Baltimore.”

Aeden gave her a skeptical look.

“No, really. Loved Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor. I love all those old cities that are steeped in history. When I lived in New York, I traveled up and down the coast as much as I could.”

Before Aeden could say anything, Alana called over to Lalani. “I have been summoned. You with me, Sir Jon?”

“Yes!”

“See ya,” Lalani said as she hurried over to Alana.

Anthony watched her, enjoying the easy sway in her hips and, damn , that fine ass of hers. Dancing definitely did fine things to her rear end. He turned to say something to Aeden and realized he was still watching her.

“Hey, Fitzpatrick.”

“Huh?”

Anthony smacked him on the back of the head.

“Dammit, Santini. You’re all irritating,” he said, rubbing the back of his head.

“I just thought I should snap you back so you wouldn’t slobber all over yourself.”

Lalani laughed, enjoying Aeden Fitzpatrick. The fireman definitely lived up to his Irish roots. Blond hair, threaded with deep hues of light brown, blue eyes, and the Celtic symbol tattoos definitely let people know where his loyalties lay. Add in the great sense of humor and the love of his family, and he was definitely attractive. Unfortunately, while she found him stunning, he didn’t speak to her on that level. It would have been easier dealing with a quick fling with a sexy tourist.

“So, Kaitlin was kind of upset with us when he got hurt. And then Mom got onto us.”

“I take it that Brando survived?” she asked.

He shrugged. “As he likes to point out—and often—he’s a Marine. He can handle it.”

She smiled. “They do like to remind people of that.”

“You speak from experience.”

She hesitated, then said, “Dad’s a Marine.”

“Ah.” The simple word held a wealth of meaning, but she didn’t know what was behind it.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.” Unexpectedly, he smiled. The man had a smile that would make any woman melt. But, she’d spent her time around some of the most charming men in the dance world.

She laughed. “Oh, come on Aeden, it meant something.”

“Nothing, just you fit in well. Military brats always seem be able to adapt.”

“That’s true.” She took a sip of her tea. “So, Aeden Fitzpatrick, how do you feel about becoming an uncle for the first time?”

“Well, now that Kaitlin has stopped barfing constantly, I’m starting to get excited.”

“Oh, you are sweet,” she said, not bothering to hide her sarcasm even as she laughed.

“I never said I was. I don’t know why people keep pointing that out.”

She detected something else in his voice, something that he probably didn’t even notice himself. “Someone else did?”

He muttered under his breath and took a swig of beer. She studied him for a second and leaned forward.

“Wanna tell me her name?”

He glanced up, surprise lighting his blue eyes. “Who?”

“The woman who makes you look so grumpy.”

“There’s no woman.”

She shook her head. “Please. I know men.”

“Is that a fact?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Doesn’t matter right now. She’s otherwise engaged.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you were fooling around with a married woman.”

“What?” he asked, suddenly comprehension slid over his face. “No. It’s… she’s out of the country and there are complications.”

“My dad always says that a woman who presents complications is always the best kind.”

For a second, he said nothing, then he chuckled. “She is definitely complicated.”

“And she sent you running all the way over to Hawaii. She might just be worth it.”

He looked out over the beach to the ocean. To have a man that would pine for her like that…it would be amazing. She had never found him though, and she was starting to have serious doubts she would. Most men saw her as fun, the kind of wild woman they liked to think about when they settled down later in life. None of them ever seemed to stick.

When he looked back at her, he had pulled himself back under control. “I’ll have to figure that out when she gets back.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

He smiled again. Damn, it made her blink every time. “How about a tour of the island?”

It took her a second, then she chuckled. “I know my way around. I don’t need a tour.”

“No, how about you show me around?”

She studied him a moment as she thought about the proposal. He wasn’t looking for romance, just a few laughs and the possibility to forget about a woman. She could entertain him and take a much-needed break.

“I’m busy tomorrow and on Sunday, but how about on Monday?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Santini have to work?”

He nodded. “I didn’t give him much notice. I got a good deal and knew he would put me up.”

“Good to be related to the Santinis.”

He laughed. “I guess so. Plus, I have a feeling Kaitlin called or had Brando call. They said I was being annoying.”

“I’ll pick you up around ten in the morning. I know you’ll be up with the sun, but I won’t. Plus, the traffic around here on Monday mornings is insane.”

“Up with the sun?”

“Yeah, tourists from the mainland, especially the East Coast, tend to be up early. Your body has to adjust. Take it from me, stay on Baltimore time. Your body is going to be wrecked when you get back anyway.”

“What nefarious things are you two planning?” Anthony said from behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder, and wondered how long he had been standing there.

“Nothing much. Lalani said she’d show me around the island Monday since you’re working.”

“Is that a fact?” he asked, his voice lethally soft.

She turned to face him. “Yeah. He said you had to work Monday, and that is the one day of week I don’t have any classes. So I offered. That is, if he’s allowed to come out with me.”

He gave her a look that told her he wasn’t happy with the situation or her sarcasm, but she didn’t really care. Not really.

“Hey, I have to get in and help with the food. If I don’t, Alana will be doing it all herself.”

She hurried away; ignoring the knowing look Aeden was giving her. She didn’t like the way Anthony had made her feel guilty for just offering to take his family out for a tour. She was just trying to help, and she needed a break. It made no sense that he would be upset.

She didn’t know what was worse about the situation. Him being upset with her, or how it affected her.

She brushed those thoughts aside and made her way back into the house, reminding herself that Anthony Santini wasn’t any of her concern.