Sidelined

Skye returned to her book, her skin glistening in the sun. Neither one of them had adjusted to the time difference. Bolt was still trying to get over Japanese time, and Skye was off a few hours from her California schedule. They had no problem agreeing the best way to remedy it was to spend as much time in bed as humanly possible.

“Did you know that you can only eat this kind of pineapple in Hawaii?” Bolt pointed to the cup. “It’s delicious.”

Skye pulled her shades to the edge of her nose. “No, I didn’t know that.” She turned another page.

“What do you think about snorkeling? Do you want to try it?” He sat in his chair, watching a few of the swimmers bob up and down with their flippers helping them stay buoyant.

“Why don’t you go?” Skye rested the book next to her. “I think I’ll read some more, but you should try it.”

He looked skeptical. “You sure?” He didn’t like the idea of leaving her on the beach, but he was ready to get some exercise.

“Yes, have fun.” She pulled the book back to her nose.

“Ok, but I’ll be right over there if need me.” He nodded to the low area of coral along the beach.

Bolt stood from the chaise and walked to the rental stand on the boardwalk.

“Aloha. How is your stay in Maui so far?” A round man with sunscreen all over his face smiled.

“Aloha. It’s going great.” Bolt glanced back at Skye in the chair.

“What did you want to rent today? Paddle board? Surfboard?”

“Just a snorkel set.” Bolt noticed they were already packaged in mesh bags.

“Do you need one for your wife?”

A confused look must have appeared on his face. The clerk corrected himself. “That pretty girl isn’t your wife?”

Bolt struggled with the words. “No, she isn’t.”

The man handed him a blue set. “I don’t know why not. You two look like a perfect match.”

Bolt handed him a twenty-dollar bill and took the bag. “Thanks, man.” He turned to see if Skye was watching him. He threw the snorkel set over his shoulder, but he didn’t head for the waves, instead he took a right turn into Whaler’s Village and headed straight to the Cartier store.

“Ben, this is incredible.” Skye gushed over the private dining table he had reserved.

They were the only ones on the beach. Gas torches flickered inside their tent, and the table was filled with orchids. Bright fucia and purple petals were scattered along the sand. Bolt admitted he wasn’t much for flowers unless he was giving them as a gift, but there was something about the Hawaiian blooms that were stunning. They grew in the courtyards, donned all parts of the resort, and the staff handed them out like candy.

Their first night in the suite Bolt laid Skye down on a bed sprinkled with white orchids. His entire perspective on the flowers changed after that night.

“When did you make this reservation?” She inhaled the flower arrangement. He loved that she tucked one behind her ear.

“This afternoon. When you were reading on the beach.”

She looked skeptical. “It’s a great surprise.” She slid into her seat.

Bolt sat next to her. He was nervous. He kicked back the glass of wine their private server had just poured. He needed every

ounce of magic in that glass.

The sun began to sink behind the clouds on the horizon. The sky around them glowed pink and orange.

“I can’t believe you planned all this and didn’t tell me.” She grinned.

“You’re not the only one with surprises.” He held the glass for the waiter to refill. He wasn’t going to get drunk, but the wine had a way of calming the queasiness he was dealing with.

Skye looked on the horizon. “Are we celebrating something tonight?”