Teacher's Pet

"I'm here, Dad," I said, holding Abby close to my chest.

"What’s your plan of action?" he asked. "Are you going to work over there? You can still record music and distribute it independently," he said.

"I have a couple options," I said, smiling at Abby.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Abby

"Are you going to tell me how last night turned out?" Makani asked. We had just finished the lei greeting and were waiting for the performances to start. It was the last luau of the season before the post-summer slump.

"He loved the dinner," I started.

"Yes, and? Did you tell him?"

"I told him. He said it back," I said, smiling.

"Now, see, what took you so long?" she said, scolding me playfully.

"I don't do this sort of thing, Makani. I didn't even know if what I was feeling was love."

"At least you told him. I'm glad you decided not to let him leave without telling him."

"Leave? Who's leaving?" I asked. Makani's eyes widened.

"He's not leaving? You convinced him to stay?"

"I didn't do anything. He just told me this morning that he wasn't going back. He turned down a deal this producer had for him in LA and said he didn't have anything to go back to there. He wants to stay here."

"Permanently?" she asked.

"I hope so. I talked to his dad this morning."

"What? That's major. He wouldn't let you unless he was really serious."

"I guess," I said giggling. "I'm just so happy. I didn't realize how stressed out it was making me, preparing to see him go. I feel like I can just enjoy him now. I can kiss him and not worry that I won't be able to again, you know?"

"I'm really happy for you, Abby. Both of you. I think you guys saved each other this summer."

"Saved?" I scoffed.

"You showed up at just the right time. You both had things you needed to get over, and you helped each other out." I shrugged. I guess you could look at it that way.

"Maybe," I said.

"Maybe? I hardly even know you anymore. I've never met loved-up Abby before." I laughed.

"I could say the same about you. I finally have both my friends back now," I said, referring to her and Keno.

"About that..." she said. I panicked.

"About that what? Did you guys break up again?"

"I guess he technically is my ex-boyfriend if he's my fiancé now," she said.

I squealed, making her laugh. "When were you going to tell me? Where's the ring?"

"I was going to show you today, but Keno took it back because we had to get it resized."