The Ohana Cottage

7

MIA

Taking a sip of my chardonnay, I glance across the table at John. I’m really enjoying myself tonight. It’s been nice getting to know him a little bit, and even though he didn’t give me a lot of information, he is a little easier to understand. Between whatever happened in the Army and his parents dying in high school, I can empathize that he’s been through a lot in his life.

When I had first invited him to dinner, I never in a million years thought he would accept. I didn’t think he’d want to come, honestly. However, the night has been great. I always enjoy getting to know new people. Don’t get me wrong—he’s still super closed off and kinda looks like he’d rather be somewhere else, but there were a few times where he let his guard down, and I felt like I was seeing a glimpse of who John really was. Not to mention he is insanely good looking. He can sit across from me while I eat any day.

When the server brings our tab, I find myself a little disappointed. I’m not ready for the night to end. But it’s been a long day working, and I’m exhausted. I have another long day of work ahead of me tomorrow, too. John pays, despite my insistence that we split the tab. I thank him and tell him I’ll pay next time. He shrugs me off and slips his wallet back in his pocket.

On our way back home, we make some more small talk. And when I say we, I mean me. I do most of the talking, which is not unusual. He seems interested in what I have to say, though. He nods and smirks every once in a while, so I know he isn’t too annoyed with me. I glance over and study his face, noting that it is significantly softer than it was at the beginning of the evening. He looks good no matter what, but I think I prefer the more relaxed version of John.

Climbing out and coming around to the front of his car once we arrive, I thank him again for dinner. “You didn't have to do that, you know. I wasn’t expecting you to pay. But I did have fun tonight, so thank you. Anyway, I’ll see you around. Good night.” I start heading slowly for the cottage.

“Good night, Mia.”

I almost stop in my tracks. The way he said my name sent a wave of warmth through my body that was unexpected. I turn to see him leaning against the hood of his car with his arms crossed, watching me. Our eyes connect, and I smile, giving him one last final wave.

* * *

I cut the papaya in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Cutting it into pieces, I pop a bite into my mouth. Mmmmm. I can’t think of a better fruit to go with my cereal for breakfast. I’m developing a little love affair with this fruit; I have some every morning. To me, it seems like the perfect mix between a mango and cantaloupe, and feels quintessentially Hawaiian.

After sending off a few work emails, I figure I should probably check in with Mom. I’ve missed the last couple of times she’s tried to call, and it won’t be long before she sends out a search party. She answers after the first ring.

“Mia, dear! How are you?” The sound of her voice makes me smile.

“Hi, Mom! I’m great. How are things back at home?”

“You’ve lived here all your life. You know how things are. I want to know what you’ve been up to. What have you been doing? Are you sure this trip was really necessary? Have you met any new friends?” One guess where my rambling comes from.

“I’ve been doing great, Mom. Really. You don’t need to worry,” I tell her. “Let’s see, lots of working and spending time at the beach. I take a book and read on the sand almost every night so I can watch the sunset. Hawaiian sunsets are unreal! I’ve made it into town a few times, too—there’s a cute little coffee shop I love, and I've been to a few fun restaurants.”

I think back to my dinner with John a few nights ago. I haven't seen much of him since then, just a casual wave here and there from across the yard. Oh, there’s also the pool cleaning that I stealthily watch from my window around 9:30 almost every morning. Not that I set a reminder on my phone or anything...

“That’s great, honey!” she says and then hesitates a beat. “Um, I wasn't sure if I should bring this up…”

“What is it?”

“Well, I was talking to Nancy this morning, and she mentioned that Sean has been asking about you a lot. I’m not sure, honey, but I think he might get in touch with you soon...” she says cautiously.

Nooo.

“I’m not sure where his head is at exactly, but it sounds like he might want to try and work things out with you.”

I sigh. “Mom… Sean and I are better off as friends. I think he’s just used to getting back together every time we break up. This is just our routine. We stay broken up for a few weeks and then we always end up trying again. He probably just doesn’t know how to move on.”

“I know, and believe me, I am on your side. I support whatever choices you make. I'm just giving you a heads-up that he might be calling you soon.”

Great. The last thing I want to do is talk to Sean right now. That conversation would go nowhere. I need to somehow have a message sent back through the “mom grapevine” that I’m not interested in getting back together.

“I really don’t want to talk to Sean. I don’t want to get back together. I’m ready to move on with my life. I’ve even been on a couple dates since I’ve been here.”

“You have? With who? What’s his name?” she asks in surprise.

I hesitate for a moment.

“John.” Shit. I should have made up a fake name to go with my lie.

“How did you meet him? Are you sure you’re ready to be dating? You just got out of a four-year relationship. And don’t forget, you don’t actually live there. You’ll be coming home before too long.”

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry. John is the owner of the Airbnb I’m staying in. He lives in the main house on the property. And it’s nothing serious, just out for dinner a couple times.” It isn’t technically a lie—we did go out for dinner, but it was just once and not really a date.

“Oh. Okay, well, I trust your decisions. Just be careful, Mia. The last thing you need is to come home with a broken heart.”

“I know. Listen, I’ve got some work to do. I’ll call you later! Love you, Mom.”

“Love you more, Mia. Bye.”

Setting my phone down, I feel a little bad about lying to my mom about dating John. At least I know that the message will get back to Sean. But what harm is there in it anyway? It’s not like John will ever know. I just pray that my message will deter Sean from calling. I’m content with closing that door. I knew shortly after we broke up that it was the end of the road for us, and being in Hawaii on my own has only helped solidify that.

* * *

The next few days pass by with mostly the same routine. I have my morning coffee with a view, go on a run, and then hunker down to work at the kitchen table or head into town with my laptop and set up at the coffee shop, where I can take my breaks chatting with Hazel and Julie. Then I spend the afternoons either at the shops in town or with my book on the beach. I’ve been fielding daily phone calls from Paige asking for more details on this mystery man I was supposedly dating. I guess my plan succeeded.

This particular day, I work at my laptop until I can’t stay inside for another minute. I grab my book from my nightstand, a beach towel from the closet, and make my way to the beach.

Once I settled on my towel with the book in hand, I find it hard to focus, reading the same sentence over and over. Instead, I close my book and watch people as they play on the beach. There’s a couple playing Frisbee, and some kids building sandcastles. Down the beach a ways, a group of people are playing sand volleyball, their shouts and laughter drifting my way.

A mom and son are walking close to the water, waiting for the waves to crash over their feet. Once their feet are covered with water, they giggle and run back to a man who must be her husband. The boy runs into his arms, and he lifts him high onto his shoulders, then puts his arm around the woman, and they continue wandering down the beach.

I smile, noticing a pull at my heart. I want that so bad. The husband, the children, the family… I want it all. I know that by giving up Sean, I’m pushing that dream farther away. Sean will probably ask me to marry him if I go back to him. It’s been four years, after all, and most of our friends are starting to settle down. But, if not settling means putting that family dream on hold, then so be it. As much as that sucks, I’m not going to fall back into something that I know isn’t right.

My mom's message has made its way into our circle of friends, and Paige told me that Sean knows about me dating. Apparently, there was an in-depth discussion between him and a few of our friends about it. As far as I know, he’s trying to move on, too.

My soulmate will find me when the timing is right, of that I’m certain. Standing up, I shake out the towel and gather it in my arms to trek back to the cottage. I’m about halfway down the road to the house when my phone pings with a text message in my pocket, and as I fumble to try and pull it out, I accidentally drop the book on the road. I bend down to pick it up, thinking that I should really get one of those cute beach bags in town.

“Mia!”

I freeze.

I know that voice. But why is that voice here? Slowly rising, my eyes look up, and my mouth drops open.

My mother.

Paige.

In Hawaii.

Standing in front of John’s house.