For a second, a slight doubt darted through her mind. Keoni had called her to be brave. But was it really braveness or rather boldness? Or even adventurousness? She wasn't sure. Melissa had never been very fearful in her life. But she also hadn't focused that much on herself before. This was indeed new and the decision to travel alone to Hawai'i was surprisingly easy for her.
When she arrived at Honolulu Airport and left the plane she knew that her decision had been just right. That she was just right on this island. A feeling of coming home took hold of her and she had no explanation for it.
She shook her reddish curls and glanced sideways at Keoni who looked at the same moment to her and said "Okay. So, let's drive to Pu'u 'Ualaka'a." He turned to his black pickup truck, went to the passenger side and opened the door for Melissa.
With a smile she got into the car. "Mahalo."
Also smiling he replied "You're very welcome, Melissa." before he closed her door and headed around the car.
__________
During the short drive, he had found out where she was staying and told her in return that he lived in a small house in Ahuimanu. The fact that he lived there on his own impressed Melissa. She knew that family ties in Hawaii were strong and housing was expensive, so it was unusual.
Her eyes fell on his hands. They were long and strong and showed that he was working with them - and yet they looked neat. Somehow she liked everything about him too much, she thought. She wasn't looking for someone to complicate her life. But he definitely attracted her and so she shivered inside.
Keoni saw Melissa really liked the view and smiled. "Have you imagined it this way?"
"The view is so beautiful!" she said and took some pictures with her digital camera. Then she lowered the camera and looked at Keoni.
"I think it was a very lucky coincidence that you drove past the moment I broke down. Thank you for bringing me here."
"Yes, a lucky coincidence, definitely. And it's a pleasure to help you out of this glitch."
She felt her pulse increase and realized that the attraction was mutual. It had been quite a while that something like this happened to her. Trying to ignore the confusing feelings she took more pictures. There were other tourists on the observation deck around them who chattered while laughing. Melissa couldn't figure out the language but she recognized that is was Asian. She lowered the camera and looked around curiously when her eyes fell on Keoni again who was leaning against the railing sideways and looking at her.
"I wonder which kind of tourist you are, Melissa." he said.
"Which kind of tourist? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, there're those who only want to spend their time in the sun on the beach. Then there're those who spend the whole day on a surfboard. Or those who party every night and spend their time in the clubs. And ..."
"Oh my...! Stop please!" Melissa cut him off. "That sounds terrible!" With a smile she continued "Okay, I love the ocean and the beach. I also love dancing in a club but I'd never spend my whole vacation on this!"
Keoni wasn't able to reply because she continued.
"I want to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and I want to see as much of the island as possible. In this respect, of course, the beach and the sea are also part of it."
She paused for a second and smiled at him. "I guess I need a guide. Maybe you know someone I could ask?"
Was she flirting with him? Keoni wasn't sure, but when he saw that she was biting her lip so as not to grin, he knew she did. And so he couldn't avoid replying with a slightly amused grin. "I've to think about but I guess I know somebody who'd like to take that job."
________________
"What do you think? Has Jason repaired my broken tire in the meantime?"
"I have no idea, frankly speaking. Let me call and ask him." Keoni replied and reached into his pocket. Before he was able to dial his friend's number Melissa put her hand on his arm and asked
"Can't you just take me there?"
He noticed her insecurity and wondered if he had somehow caused this reaction. He felt a sense of regret, but without hesitation, he said
"Yes, of course I'll take you to Jason's garage. As you wish."
They went back to the parking lot without speaking. Keoni was tempted to ask if everything was OK, but he held back. When he held the car door open, he looked at her, but Melissa lowered her eyes and avoided looking back.
Where the hell had this insecurity come from? she wondered and glanced at Keoni shortly as he climbed behind the wheel of his pickup truck. When they left the parking lot, her eyes fell back on Keoni's hands on the steering wheel. And when she felt this strange feeling inside, she suddenly realized why she was so insecure.
He was very attractive to her and when she saw his hands, she inevitably imagined to feel them on her skin. His sonorous voice and appealing appearance made this effect even stronger. She swallowed hard. But that was not how she imagined her vacation. She didn't want to fall in love, here and now, but he had every potential for that to happen.
"Hey, are you alright?" Keoni interrupted her thoughts. She took a deep breath, then looked at him and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I was just thinking. I have to go shopping. My fridge is still pretty empty."
And Keoni knew it wasn't all that was bothering her.
_______________
A few minutes later, Keoni stopped in front of Jason's garage. The large gates to the workshop were open and Melissa's blue SUV was still on the lift. They both got out and turned to the workshop when Jason already came up to them. He wiped his oil-smeared hands on a cloth, pulled the baseball cap from his head, and stopped in front of Melissa and Keoni.
"Well ... I'm really sorry, Melissa. But I'm afraid I can't keep my promise."
He looked at her embarrassed and ran a hand through his messy hair.
"I can't repair the tire. You need a new one and I don't have it here right now. This is really crap!"
Melissa looked at him with raised eyebrows, but before she could react, Jason continued.
"Tomorrow morning I will find a suitable tire and then your car would be fixed in no time! And if you give me your address, I will bring the car over to you personally."
Again Melissa had no way to answer when a phone rang in the background. Jason apologized and went back to the workshop to answer the call. And now? she thought for the second time that day. After a deep breath, she looked at Keoni.
Keoni could see that she didn't like the situation and felt partially responsible. Would he still have a chance to ask her about a date? he wondered.
"Oh man, I'm very sorry about the whole thing, Melissa."
She looked at him incredulously and returned "It's not your fault! At most, this is an unfortunate chain of circumstances!"
She took another deep breath and continued "Yeah, it's a dumb thing now, but it is what it is."
He was relieved that she was calm and considered. "Hey, can I give you a ride for the rest of the day? Wherever you want to go. That's the least I can do."
Melissa hadn't expected that and hesitated for a moment. The uncertainty hadn't gone, but the prospect of spending time with this handsome man was somehow irresistible to her and so she asked Keoni "Do you have time for that? You really don't need to do that."
"But I'd like to, Melissa. You don't need to worry about my time because currently I've some days off."
She smiled slightly at him and looked him in the eye as she answered "Okay, then let's give this thing a second chance. I hope you like shopping!"
Her smile became a broad grin that made Keoni laugh. "No problem! I've a large family and a sisters who I think are addicted to shopping!" He had noticed the ambiguity of her words.
"Who's addicted to shopping?" Jason asked, whereupon Melissa and Keoni looked at him. Neither of them had noticed that he had come back from the workshop.
"My sisters!" Keoni said laughing.
Jason nodded in return "Yeah man, that's indeed true. I'm glad that my wife isn't like that!"
Men are the same everywhere! Melissa thought and giggled. She liked both men and somehow the laughter had driven away her insecurity. I think it will be very interesting time on this isle, she thought and looked from one man to another.
Shortly afterwards she was back in the car next to Keoni and they were on the way to Kailua. For a split second, she wondered: Am I a little too daring after all?
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