Golden Angel: (Broken Angel #5) (9 page)

S
he shouldn’t have been
this happy. She was broke, they were behind on the electric bill, the property tax bill was due soon, and Mr. Hu had mentioned that he might have to reduce her work hours soon.

And yet, as Leilani watched Jeremy park his car in front of the house and turn off the ignition, she couldn’t help but be elated.

Why shouldn’t she be happy? Jeremy was finally seeing her beyond the teenage girl with spiky hair. And he liked her more than a friend!

“Hold on,” he said when she reached for the door handle. He jumped out of the car and ran to her side, opening the door.

He opened the door!
Kai never did that for her.

“Thank you.”

As she stepped out, he gave her that drop-dead sexy grin that never failed to turn her knees to jelly. Ever since she’d taken him hang gliding, he’d been doing that a lot. It was proof that he was into her. Right?

So why didn’t he take it to the next step? She was so ready for it.

“I’ll get the surfboards,” he said when she reached up to untie the boards from the car’s rooftop.

“Okay, thanks. It’ll only take me a few minutes to change.” She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. He was such a gentleman, opening doors, carrying things that she could carry herself. It used to irritate the hell out of her when he’d done that before. Mostly because it had felt like he thought she couldn’t do anything for herself.

This time it felt different. It was if he was doing those things because he sincerely cared for her. She could get used to the new Jeremy.

The best thing Kai had ever done was to knock him out. Yeah, she should’ve felt bad about that, but she couldn’t. It had brought Jeremy closer to her.

“You haven’t met Auntie Anela yet. She should be up from her nap by now.” She bounced up the path leading to the back porch.

Yep, she was bouncing now—that was how happy she was. Now if only she could figure out how to get him to ask her out.

His arms flexed as he lifted the boards above his head and followed her as they walked to the backyard.

Good god!
Enough waiting. She should ask him out herself.

“Toss the boards in there.” She pointed to a small shed in the yard. Opening the screen door, she yelled inside, “Auntie! There’s someone I want you to meet!”

“Auntie! Auntie!”

“Cool. A talking bird,” Jeremy said, tapping the cage sitting outside on the back porch.

Oh, crap! Auntie had left that crazy bird outside.

Giggles sat on the cage’s perch, looking at Jeremy curiously from inside the cage.

“Behave,” she muttered under her breath, hoping Auntie would hurry up and come outside. Auntie was the only one Giggles would listen to.

Giggles leaned her head forward and laughed. Leilani had never heard her laugh so long and hard. And just when she thought it was over, Giggles took another breath and kept going.

Jeremy chuckled. “She’s funny.”

“Yeah, that’s Giggles.”

“I see where she got the name.”

“Yeah, she’s a barrel of laughs.” Giggles turned her direction, her beady eyes glaring.

Uh oh. That couldn’t be good.

“She’s Auntie’s cockatoo. Watch what you say around her, she repeats everything. And don’t try to pet her, she’ll—”

Her jaw dropped when Giggles tilted her little head, letting Jeremy stroke the top of it.

Why that little . . .

“She must be in a good mood. She won’t even let me touch her.”

She reached out her hand, jerking it back when Giggles snapped at it.

“Crazy bird!”

Jeremy laughed. “Hi, Giggles. I’m Jeremy.”

“Jeremy! Jeremy!”

“You’ve just met him and he’s already your BFF?” She rubbed her finger, scowling at Giggles.

Giggles bounced her head up and down.

“Traitor! You like Jeremy more than the person who feeds you.”

“Sexy Jeremy! Sexy Jeremy!” Giggles squawked, bouncing on the perch.

Kill me now.

“So she repeats everything she hears, huh?” Jeremy grinned.

“I, uh, she . . .” Her face was on fire. “She’s old. She doesn’t hear very well.”

“Uh-huh.”

She fiddled with the bird feeder, avoiding the amused expression on his face. “So Auntie should be out any minute now.”

She was about to open the screen door again to call Auntie again when he placed his hand over hers.

“Leilani, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Oh my god! This was it!

Butterflies whirled around her stomach as he held her hand. Her lashes slowly lifted and gazed into loving sapphire eyes.

He was going to ask her out!
Okay, stay calm. Don’t look desperate.

“Sure. What’s up?”

He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. “I know it’s been rough for you and Sammy with your parents gone. And you work so hard at the restaurant just to make ends meet. You’ve given up a lot to make sure Sammy has what he needs. You shouldn’t have to. I know you think winning this surfing competition is the answer, but—”

“Thanks for helping with that, by the way. You probably have better things to do.”

“I love being with you—I mean, I love helping you and Sammy.”

EEP!
He was going to ask her now. She could feel it.

“The feeling’s mutual,” she said, fighting back the urge to jump his bones.

“So anyway . . . now don’t get mad. Uh . . . here.” He slapped a thick envelope into her hand and quickly took a step back.

“What’s this?”

“Just a little something to help you and Sammy.”

“A little . . .” She looked inside. It was filled with crisp hundred dollar bills.

He was giving her money! And not just a little. She lost count at twenty.

“I’m not taking your money. I don’t need this.” She slapped the packet back into his hand.

“Yes, you are, and yes, you do.” He stuck it back into hers.

“No, I don’t,” she said through gritted teeth, throwing the packet back at him. “I’m not a charity case.”

Was that all she was to him? She couldn’t believe she’d actually thought he was going to ask her out.

“You work almost all the time, and when you’re not, you’re practicing for that stupid contest.” He tried to put the money in her hand, but she kept both hands fisted.

“It’s not stupid, and stop trying to give me your money.”

“It’s too dangerous. And for what? To win a few dollars?”

“I’ve got bills to pay.”

“So take the money.”

“No.”

“Take it.”

“I said no, Jeremy!”

“Sexy Jeremy!”

She stared at him, eyes blazing, as she ignored Giggles bouncing on her perch yelling, “Sexy Jeremy,” as they glared at each other.

He wasn’t budging. Well, neither was she. He could inch his way as close to her as he wanted with those sexy blue eyes. She still wasn’t giving in.

She stood firm, clenching her fists when she felt the heat coming off his powerful body. He was so close she could see blond stubble lining his cut jawline.

She ignored her racing heartbeat when he ducked his head, his eyes drifting to her lips as he spoke.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” His voice was velvety soft.

Hold strong, woman. He just wants you to give in.

“I won’t. I know what I’m doing,” she said.

“You’re stubborn.”

He inched closer. His sweet breath filled her senses. Slowly, her lips parted, waiting and longing to feel the soft touch of his lips.

“She gets that from her mother.”

Jeremy stumbled back at the sound of Auntie Anela’s voice, his face turning pink.

“Auntie! You’re here. Uh, this is Jeremy.” Thank goodness! She’d been this close to surrendering.

“So this is the famous Golden Boy?”

“Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you.”

“I’ve heard so many things about you. Sammy and Leilani talk about you all the time.”

“Oh, they do?”

“All good stuff, Jeremy,” Leilani said.

“Sexy Jeremy!”

Gah! Leilani snatched the cover, ready to throw it over the cage.

“Now, now, Giggles. Stop teasing. You’ve had enough sunshine today.” Auntie opened the cage and Giggles immediately hopped onto her hand. “I’ll take her inside so two can be alone.”

“We were just talking,” Leilani and Jeremy said in unison.

Auntie’s eyes darted between them, smiling.

“I did a lot of ‘talking’ in my day. It’s much more fun when you’re alone under the moonlight.” She winked. “Oh, bring the cage inside when you’re done,” she added before disappearing inside.

Leilani gazed at Jeremy in uncomfortable silence. He was keeping his distance. Whatever had been happening between them was gone. And by the determined expression on his face, he wasn’t about to let it happen again.

It was time to face the facts. Jeremy was fighting whatever feelings he had for her. For some reason, he wanted to keep their relationship in the friend zone.

“Uh, thanks for the offer, but my answer is still no. I need to get ready for work.”

“Wait, Leilani.”

She really must’ve liked torturing herself, because she couldn’t look away from him. What was it about those eyes that pulled her to him, that made her feel like she could fly?

He pursed his perfectly shaped lips, but no sounds came out. The words were written all over his face. Why wouldn’t he say them?

Why couldn’t she?

“I’ll wait for you in the car,” he finally said.

When he turned away, jamming his hands into his pockets, she willed herself to go inside. She couldn’t. She was stuck watching the one man who made her feel alive like no one else could as he walked away from her reach.

L
eilani stared
at the ceiling fan’s blades whirling above her. She couldn’t sleep because it was so hot in the house. That was what she’d kept telling herself over the last hour. It wasn’t because Jeremy’s face always managed to show up whenever she closed her eyes. It wasn’t because of how close she’d been to tasting his lips.

Why did I let him go? Why didn’t I say anything?

She tossed over, punching a pillow. She knew why. It was because of her—the one who had broken his heart years ago. That Naomi chick was still in his heart. What other reason was there?

“This is so stupid.” She jumped out of bed, taking off her damp t-shirt and throwing on a white tank top and denim shorts before heading outside. There was no use even trying to sleep.

She padded down the hall, stopping by Sammy’s room. She leaned against the door frame, watching his tiny chest rise and fall. He was so cute when he was sleeping. Even with his father’s red hair and freckles, he still looked like Mom.

She went to his side and gently swept off the wet hair sticking to his forehead. There was so much she wanted to give Sammy. She should’ve taken Jeremy’s money. Not all of it, just enough to buy a new AC. Kai’s repairs had only lasted a few days this time. There was no way he would be able to fix it again. The AC was a goner.

Sighing, she went to the window and opened it wider before heading out to the backyard.

Moonlight filtered onto the plumeria trees that filled the backyard. She loved sitting out here, smelling the flowers’ heavy scent. It reminded her of Mom. She had loved plumeria, and if her mom had thought she could’ve gotten away with it, she would’ve squeezed a dozen more trees into the tiny backyard.

She looked up at the full moon, wondering if her mom was looking down at her. Warm air blew, stirring the leaves and gently caressing her face.

It was like Mom was with her now. She could almost feel her mom touching her. Whenever she was upset, one simple touch was all it took for her to tell her mother everything. And now, as she gazed into the moonlit sky, tears pricked her eyes. She felt her mother’s presence, as if her mom knew she was needed.

“I miss you, Mom.”

“I miss her too.”

Leilani yelped. She peered into the shadows. Auntie sat on a lawn chair, swishing a colorful hand fan.

“Auntie! You scared me. I didn’t know you were up.”

“Come. Sit with me. We need to talk.” Auntie tapped the chair next to her with the fan.

“What’s up?” Leilani sank into the chair.

“Your friend, Jeremy. He’s very kind.”

“Uh, yes. He is.”

Uh oh. She’s up to something
. The last time Auntie had had that I’m-doing-this-for-your-own-good expression, Leilani had agreed to go with Kai to senior prom.

“And very handsome,” Auntie added.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“You’re different when you’re with him.”

Crap! She’d noticed. She needed to play it cool.

“Nope. I’m the same.”

Auntie stopped fanning.

Damn.

“You’re like you were before I came to live with you and Sammy, before your parents died,” Auntie said. “You’re a Keahi again. The fire in your eyes has returned.”

“Nah, that’s just . . . You see, it’s . . .” She blinked furiously. Tears threatened to burst over as Auntie’s words reverberated through her mind.

Auntie was right. Jeremy rocked her world. But what did it matter? He didn’t want anything more than friendship from her.

“It’s the surfing contest. Jeremy’s helping me get ready for it, and we have a lot of fun together. He’s a good friend.”

“I don’t know why you fight it. It is there in your eyes for all to see.”

Leilani held her breath when Auntie leaned over, cupped her face, and gazed deeply into her eyes. They sat like that in silence, with only her asthmatic breaths filling the quiet night. Auntie looked at her as if she could read her every secret, even those she had hidden from herself.

“Ua ola lok i ke aloha,” Auntie whispered.

Love gives life within
. Leilani swallowed the truth that was stuck deep within her—a truth desperate to burst into life.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She pulled back, looking away.

“Yes, you do. He’s the one for you, the one you call Golden Boy.”

“I . . . I . . .” She was afraid to say the words, the truth about how she felt. “He’s with someone else.”

“He is?” Auntie looked surprised.

“Well, I think he is. I’m not sure. Besides, he’ll probably leave soon like he did last time. And he’s not interested in me. Not that way.”

“He’s interested.”

“Really? I thought maybe—” She stopped herself, beating back the hope that wanted to surface. Jeremy had made it clear they would only be friends.

“I mean, I highly doubt it. Besides, I don’t have time for that nonsense. There’s Sammy and work and I have to get the AC fixed. And look, the fence is already falling apart, and—”

Auntie placed a hand over hers. “Stop running.”

She couldn’t stop running. She would get hurt if she did.

“Don’t make the mistake I made when love comes to you.”

Leilani did a double take. Uncle Moke had passed away a long time ago. She’d never heard Auntie mention anyone else.

Auntie pulled out a photo. Handing it to Leilani, she said, “He was from Ohio. Oh, I remember the big scandal we caused when my sister saw him holding my hand. Back then, even talking with a haole was enough to get you shipped off to another island to live with distant relatives.”

She stared down at a faded photo of a handsome young man with light brown hair and dancing green eyes.

“He was your boyfriend?”

“He was my lover.”

“Auntie!”

Auntie giggled, taking the photo back. She tucked it into her housedress pocket.

“When I was your age, I was a—what do you kids say nowadays?—hot momma. When I met him, I knew he was the one for me. And when he asked me to go back to the mainland with him, I wanted to say yes. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.”

“You didn’t?”

“I couldn’t. It was a different time back then. I couldn’t leave my `ohana, my family. I had to stay. But times are different now.” She looked took hold of Leilani’s hand, squeezing it. “You need to tell him. Don’t let him get away.”

She wanted to. So badly. But doubt lingered in the back of her mind.

“I don’t know.”

“Why are you fighting it?”

“I’m scared. What if he’s still in love with her?”

“Her?”

“When I first met him, he was in love with his brother’s wife. He was trying to get over her. I thought maybe he had and that he may even have feelings for me. But now I don’t know.”

“He loves you.”

“I don’t think so. Well, not like that. We’re just friends.”

“It’s more than friendship he wants. I saw you two together. I felt it. There is nothing to be afraid of. You just need tell him. He’ll come to you if you do.”

“How do you know?”

“Your fire is what pulls him to you. He hesitates because he thinks he can’t be loved. You need to tell him.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Smiling, Auntie lifted her hands gently.

“Tell him with your hands. Your hands will tell him what’s in your heart. Hold him close. Let him feel your heart singing to his, then tell him he’s ke lā hiki ola—the sunrise that brings you a new day. Tell him he’s the rain that nourishes your spirit and the fire that feeds your passion. And then whisper into his ear what has been in your heart all these years.”

“What?”

“Nau ko `u aloha.”

My love is yours.

Her love was his. It had been since the day she’d met him.

Tell him.

Those words whispered around her in a symphony as if the wind, the ocean, and even the stars were urging her to go to him.

Tell him.