“I didn’t know you got married. Babe, did you know Kai got married?” he shouts, and a petite woman comes to the window and smiles at Kai and me.

“I had no idea. It’s about time.” She smiles bigger while wrapping her small hand around her husband’s large bicep.

“Got that right. Been waiting years for you to settle down,” Derek says.

His wife comes to stand in front of him. “Do you want the usual?” she asks, leaning slightly out the window, looking down at us.

“Do you like fish?” Kai asks softly.

I look up at him and feel the weight of Derek and his wife watching us. “I do,” I reply just as softly.

“Make the order double, Derek, and do you have any fresh pineapple juice? Myla loves it,” Kai adds, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I unconsciously lean against his side and then try to lean away when I realize what I’m doing, but his hold tightens, preventing me from moving.

“That I do. Take a seat, and we’ll bring you your order when it’s up.” He waves us off.

Kai turns us around, leading me over to one of the picnic tables that are set up. I sit and look around, avoiding looking at Kai. Once again, my emotions are in turmoil, and it is all his fault—or at least I’m going to blame him for it.

“What are you thinking, makamae?” His hand takes mine.

Part of me wants to pull away, but the other part of me, the part that is tethered to him, wants to grab him and never let go.

“I’m so confused.” I shake my head then turn to look at him. “I really hate that you make me feel like I’m two completely different people.”

“What do you mean?”

I let out an irritated huff before answering him. “There is this side of me that really dislikes you and the things you do. Then there’s this other side of me that doesn’t care about the part that dislikes you. She just likes you, all of you.” I let out a breath then glare when I see his smile. “You should know I think the part of me that likes you is an idiot.”

He presses his lips together then lets his head fall back, and roaring laughter comes out of his mouth. I have seen him laugh before, and like all of those times, my stomach flutters.

“It’s not funny.” I roll my eyes.

“Yes, it’s funny.” He continues laughing.

A smile forms on my lips from watching him. His eyes drop to my mouth and his expression goes soft.

“All the parts of me like you, lakamae,” he tells me with such sincerity that the warm feeling begins to seep back into my belly.

“What does makamae mean?”

His hand comes up and he cups my cheek, his thumb running over my bottom lip. I don’t expect him to answer me, but unlike all the other times, his face comes closer to mine so close that I can feel his lips brush mine as he whispers, “Precious.”

Holy shit! I jerk my head back in shock and search his face.

“Grub’s up!” is yelled, breaking the moment, and I face forward just as Derek sets a plate in front of me and another in front of Kai.

“Thanks,” I tell Derek while my insides churn.

Kai calls me precious? I look over at him, and his gaze is still on me.

“Let us know if you need anything else,” Derek mutters, and I’m sure he can feel the strange energy that is floating around between Kai and me.

“Will do,” Kai assures him, his stare never leaving mine.

As soon as Derek is out of earshot, Kai speaks again. This time, his voice is soft in a way that wraps around and inside me.

“I know this is difficult for you, Myla. I know I’ve done wrong, but I want you to understand something. I’m a man who was raised to do what needs to be done, never taking into consideration anyone else. I know the results of that have hurt you, but as I’ve told you from the beginning, I will tell you again. I will do whatever I have to in order to protect you. So, at the end of the day, even if you’re pissed at me, that works, ‘cause that means you’re still breathing.”

He looks over my shoulder then back at me again, letting out a long breath before continuing, “I will not give up on there being an us because I know we are worth fighting for. So you can be pissed and hold your ground, but I’m going to do the same, and while I’m doing it, I hope you will give us another chance.”

“You’re really good at this apology stuff…when you’re not being a jerk,” I mutter.

He smiles then takes my hand, placing a kiss over the ring I still haven’t taken off. It’s almost like he’s telling me that he sees it and knows that, as upset as I am, I still haven’t given up on us either. I look at his hand and notice that the ring I gave him is still sitting on his finger.

“One day at a time, Kai. That’s all I can offer you,” I whisper.

“I’ll take it, makamae.” He places another kiss on my hand then nods down at my plate. “Eat. They really are the best fish tacos in Hawaii,” he divulges to me.

He isn’t wrong—though I’m not sure if it is the tacos or the feeling of warmth I have back that makes them taste so good.

*

I watch the sunrise and take in the beauty of the moment. From the sound of the ocean to the smell that’s surrounding us, I can’t quite figure out what it is, but I know that it’s perfect. I lean back against Kai, and his arms wrap tighter around me, his thighs tightening against my sides. Since our dinner of delicious fish tacos two weeks ago, we have been working on us, and this us is way better than the previousone. I have let down my guard slightly, and I’m just enjoying the day-by-day time we spend together.