Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo (novels for beginners txt) 📕

the hotel later. She said it might help Tara’s parents to say yes if you joined them too.’

He looked back to the water, where Nalu was now riding the surfboard with a laughing Tara and Malie’s face all lit up as she watched them.

‘No problem, I’ll call them now.’

He had an idea forming already. A way to spend more time with Malie, without either of them feeling on edge, and to also make Tara’s day, as well as that of her parents. He just hoped Malie would appreciate it too.

If worst came to worst, he could always come up with an out. But hopefully he wouldn’t need it.

‘Excellent, they should be wrapping up in thirty mins.’

He nodded and pulled out his mobile, found the contact details for Tara’s parents and dialled. He listened to it ring, hardly aware that the fingers of his other hand were now crossed beneath the table, a move he hadn’t done since his skateboard days when he desperately needed the job he’d applied for.

‘Hi, Anne-Marie…’

Malie watched the kids trooping back to the surf school, surfboards under arm, and listened to their pumped-up chatter. Another great day, another happy group of kids. But she was dragging her feet, nerves getting the better of her. She wasn’t the only one, though, Tara was also hanging back, her shoulders slumped.

‘Tara? What’s up?’

Not that Malie hadn’t already guessed. But she was hopeful that Todd had managed to use his charm on the girl’s parents by now. She wouldn’t say anything though, not until she knew which way the conversation had gone.

Tara paused, turning to look at her. ‘I wish we could surf for longer.’

Malie laughed and ruffled her hair. ‘You and me both, but we’re already looking like prunes.’ She waved her fingers in the girl’s face and grinned.

‘Beats having to go back with Mum and Dad.’

‘Hey, I know, love, but it’s only cos they care.’

She looked up to see Todd approaching and her heart skipped inside her chest. Strands of his fringe fell over his forehead and she felt a giddy flutter as she wondered if it was down to her. Had he opted for the laidback look because she’d said she liked it? His shirt was also a casual colourful number, paired with beige shorts and no trainers. Definitely laidback and definitely all the hotter for it.

‘It’s not just that.’

Tara’s comment pulled her up short and she dragged her eyes from his approach to look down at the girl. Her face was downcast, her black hair falling forward as the fingers of her free hand twisted in the fabric of her rash vest.

You’re supposed to be focusing on Tara, came the guilt-ridden admonishment and she dropped down to the girl’s height. ‘What else is it, sweetheart?’

Tara lifted her head, but didn’t look at Malie, her swirling blue eyes were back on the waves instead. ‘When I’m out there I don’t think about it…’

Malie frowned, sensing her need to talk and she looked up as Todd paused a few strides away. He gave her a nod and a thumbs-up, code for getting the OK from the Davidsons. She smiled back at him, knowing just how much this would mean to Tara.

‘Tell you what,’ she said, looking back to her, ‘you head in and get changed, and I might have a little surprise for you when you’re done.’

Tara’s eyes met her own now, curiosity sparking in her gaze as her lips threatened to smile. ‘Really? Like what?’

‘If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it? Now, off you go.’

Tara spun on her heel and raced off after the others.

‘Hey, Mr Masters,’ she said as she passed him by. ‘Malie has a surprise for me!’

They both watched her go with a smile, relief making Malie forget her nerves from seconds before. She was just happy to see the girl’s spirit back.

‘There’s a lot going on inside her head.’ Todd turned to her as he said it and Malie nodded, not quite ready to look back at him, instead she started towards the surf school.

‘What did her parents say?’

‘They agreed we could drop her home later… after dinner…’

Her eyes snapped to his. ‘Dinner? I said ice cream.’

He shrugged. ‘Based on your confession the other night that you’re a bad cook I thought you’d appreciate a meal out, and I already knew Tara would appreciate the upgrade.’

‘But… I might have had plans.’

‘Do you?’

‘No, but—’

‘Malie…’ He reached out, his hand coming to rest on her arm and making her jump at the frisson of excitement the simple gesture triggered. He frowned and pulled his hand back, pocketing them both as he looked away and explained, ‘I thought it would be nice to take you both out and give Tara’s parents time to enjoy a dinner, just the two of them. I don’t think they’ve had a dinner date in a very long time.’

Guilt coursed through her and she gave him an apologetic smile. ‘Of course, that sounds like a lovely idea.’

‘Fingers crossed it helps. Kalani recommended a restaurant up strip…’

‘Hang on, did you treat them to dinner?’

He gave her a smile that was so bashful and handsome in one that her heart squeezed inside her chest, her lungs robbed of air.

‘I may have.’

She shook her head, unable to stop her smile from widening as she stroked a hand over her crazy sea-crisped hair. ‘But what about your surf lesson?’

He shrugged. ‘We can do it after dinner.’

‘It’ll be dark then.’

‘Tomorrow then.’

‘My friend Zoe arrives tomorrow and I’m taking a few days off.’

‘So you do take time off?’

She gave a soft laugh. ‘Yes, I guess I do.’

‘What about a morning lesson? I can get here for the crack of dawn if that works?’

She hesitated. It would be quieter, romantic even, with the sun lifting on the horizon…

‘Don’t tell me you have plans for then too?’

‘No, just my board and the sunrise.’

‘Excellent, so dinner now, surf first thing – perfect.’

His words were enthusiastic, but his tone restrained, like he too was contending