Loe raamatut: «Aloha Fantasy»

Chapter 1

Danica Austin waited impatiently at the Dearborn Street martini bar in Chicago for a lunchtime date that her fellow photographer friend Jessy Sarchuk had insisted would be worth her while. With no man in her life at the moment Danica had reluctantly decided to go on the date, if only to show Jessy she was totally over the guy she’d dumped six months ago after he’d hit on one of her other friends. Now it looked as if she had been stood up.

She checked her iPhone smartphone for messages and saw it was blank. It pissed her off, but Danica was careful not to show anything other than the outward appearance of a beautiful, well-dressed African-American woman sitting all by her lonesome enjoying a Death by Chocolate martini. You owe me, Jessy, for wasting my valuable time. I won’t make that mistake again. Suddenly she was in no mood to finish the drink and decided to head home and relax a bit before going back to work.

Danica was an award-winning professional photographer who made a good living doing everything from fashion to scenery to corporate photography. Though independent, she belonged to a loose group of other female photographers which included Jessy.

Speak of the devil, Danica thought as her phone rang just as she got into her Subaru Impreza sedan.

“Your friend never bothered to show up,” Danica told her curtly, putting the call on speaker so she could drive safely.

“That’s why I’m calling,” Jessy said. “He accidentally deleted your number. He called me instead to say that he was running late but still wanted to get together.”

Danica sneered. “It’s called Bad Karma. We just weren’t meant to be. Sorry.”

“So am I. Just don’t say I told you so.”

I’ll think it instead, she silently replied. But to her friend she uttered, “I’m not saying a thing. I think I’ll just stay on my own for now and see what the future holds.”

“A guy won’t simply fall into your lap, girlfriend,” Jessy said. “You have to make things happen.”

“I’ll try to remember that. For now, I’d like to focus on the present. Talk to you later.”

Danica disconnected and brushed away some of her long, straight brown hair with blond highlights that had fallen into her face. She wondered if it was her true destiny to be single for the rest of her life. Granted, she was only thirty-two. It wasn’t as if she was at the end of her road and couldn’t get a decent man if she tried. It was more about quality over quantity. Much like her photography.

And for this day anyway, it just wasn’t going to happen. At least not with some guy who couldn’t hold on to a phone number.

Danica arrived at her loft on Michigan Avenue just south of the Loop and parked in the garage. She took the elevator up to the place she’d called home for three years now, having been the first person to occupy the converted warehouse loft. She loved the space, with the high concrete ceilings, exposed beams, large windows and bamboo flooring.

Maybe it would be a little better if I had someone to share it with.

Or not.

She kicked off her clogs and poured herself a glass of white wine. Her cell phone chimed to indicate she had a text message. Lifting it from the granite countertop, she saw it was from her old college roommate, Ashlyn Hirokawa.

If not busy, make a Skype call.

Danica smiled, only too happy to video chat with her friend. Ashlyn lived in Hawaii on the Big Island, a place Danica had always wanted to visit. Somehow, though, it never seemed to be the right time. She had not seen Ashlyn in person for nine years now—since, a year after their Michigan State University graduation, Ashlyn had met her briefly in New York while they both were there for business.

Danica sat down at her workstation and turned on the computer. She brought up the Skype interface and clicked on Video Call for Ashlyn. A moment later her friend’s smiling face appeared on the screen.

“Aloha!”

Danica returned the island greeting. She noticed Ashlyn’s raven hair had been cut into a cute bob that highlighted her light brown complexion and big sable-colored eyes. She had gotten the best features of her Polynesian mother and African-American father. Ashlyn had chosen to use her mother’s maiden name, both in memory of her and as part of her Hawaiian heritage.

“What are you up to?” Ashlyn asked.

“It’s more like what am I not up to?” Danica said, then vented over her arranged date failing to show up.

“Join the club,” Ashlyn complained. “The men in my life haven’t exactly been at my beck and call, when they bother showing up at all.”

Danica laughed. “Maybe it’s just us.” She didn’t truly believe that. Both of them were beautiful, successful women who probably could have had any decent man they wanted—if there was such a thing.

“I seriously doubt that. Could be we’re just looking in all the wrong places.”

“You could be right about that,” Danica said. “I wonder when the first flight to Mars is going out. We could sign up to take the trip and see who’s on that uncharted land.”

Ashlyn’s head fell back in laughter. “Count me in.” She grew serious. “Or maybe there’s another way to take on uncharted territory…”

Danica watched as her friend’s eyes seemed to twinkle. “I’m all ears.”

“We could swap places.”

“Are you serious?” Even as she asked, she tried to imagine actually trading life in the Windy City for the more laid-back Hawaii.

“Why not?” Ashlyn responded. “I’ve got a month’s vacation coming up and I would love to spend it anywhere other than the Hawaiian Islands for a change. Chicago seems as good a place as any to meet some new people and enjoy the hustle and bustle of life that I don’t really get to see here. And you, girlfriend, would just love it in Hilo, where there are activities galore and so many things you can take pictures of to build up your portfolio. Not that you need to.”

Danica smiled and sipped her wine. Admittedly the thought was intriguing. She’d never done something so crazy. At least not since they were in college, where seemingly any adventure was acceptable, if only to keep pace with school tradition. But this was the real world and people did not just fly across a country and an ocean to swap places.

On the other hand there was nothing—or no one—holding her back. Fortunately, as an independent photographer, she could operate anywhere. And where on earth could be better than Hawaii, or more specifically, the Big Island?

She looked at her friend. “I’m warming up to the idea.”

Ashlyn beamed. “I was hoping you might.”

“So how would we do this?”

“It’s simple, really,” Ashlyn said. “Let’s decide on dates, leave a key under the doormat and cars at the airport, and let the adventure begin.”

“Hmm…that does sound simple,” Danica said with a laugh. Maybe too simple. Could she really take over Ashlyn’s house and car for a month and vice versa? Was she overthinking this?

Ashlyn seemed to read her mind. “Look, if you run into any problems, Boyd will be around to help you out.”

“Your brother?” Danica had seen a picture of him way back in the day and thought he was handsome, but she had no idea what he looked like now. She knew he was Ashlyn’s half brother on her dad’s side. And that he and Ashlyn were pretty close.

“Yes,” Ashlyn said. “Boyd actually does come in handy around here every now and then. I’m sure you two would get along just fine.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” Danica narrowed her eyes. If she hadn’t known better, she would think Ashlyn was trying to fix her up with her older brother. Hadn’t he once been married and a playboy ever since?

“Boyd’s totally your type—tall, solidly built and cute as a button. Especially when he gets that dimple thing going in his cheeks when he grins.”

“Sounds interesting,” Danica admitted. “But I’d rather keep my options open in your neck of the woods, if it’s all right with you.”

“Fair enough.” Ashlyn smiled. “I wouldn’t want to push you two together or anything.”

That was a relief to Danica, as the last thing she needed was pressure when it came to dating. Particularly where it concerned her good friend’s brother.

“So…about the accommodations—”

“Boyd doesn’t live with me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I wasn’t,” Danica told her, even if the thought had crossed her mind and not necessarily in a bad way. She just didn’t want things to be awkward between them if Boyd had his run of the residence as she tried to make the most of it during her stay.

“We both own the house our dad left us,” Ashlyn said, “but Boyd has his own place and this is pretty much mine to do as I please. And, for a month, it’ll be yours.”

“I like the sound of that.” Danica had long been envious of her friend’s beachfront house in paradise. The idea that she could borrow it for a few weeks was very enticing. Not to mention the environment was perfect for a photographer to do her thing.

And if Boyd was willing to show her around to some of the best places the island had to offer, all the better.

“Are there any hotties among your male neighbors or friends who might be in the market for a petite, sexy, fun-loving Hawaiian girl?” Ashlyn asked.

“Let me think…” Danica pretended to consider the question deeply. “Uh, yeah, I’m sure there’s somebody.” She smiled. “Probably all of them. Only I doubt that most would appeal to you. But I’ll see who I can come up with who might be able to show you a good time.”

Ashlyn beamed. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Yes, it does, and I can hardly wait to make the switch.” Danica took a sip of her wine. “I just hope I don’t get so comfortable in your tropical paradise that I don’t want to come back.”

“Then don’t come back, if that’s the case,” Ashlyn said with a straight face. “I’d love to have a roommate to share that big house and some good times.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Danica tried to imagine relocating to Hawaii permanently. It would be hard to leave behind Chicago and the contacts she had built and maintained both personally and professionally. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t keep them from afar and establish new ones if there were strong enough reasons to remain in Hilo.

For now she was just happy to be taking this big adventure, having no idea what to expect. She was up to the challenge, though, and clearly Ashlyn was, as well. If it worked out well, maybe they could do it again in the future.

She raised her wineglass. “To a great swap!”

“Ditto,” Ashlyn said as they virtually clinked glasses.

* * *

“You’re joking, right?” The words came out of Boyd Reed’s twisted mouth and were hardly meant to be humorous. His half sister, Ashlyn, had just told him about her plans to lend out their house to a veritable stranger.

Ashlyn batted her lashes as they stood on the lanai. “Of course not. It was just a spur of the moment thing I threw out there and I’m glad I did. I think it will be a good experience for me and Danica.”

Boyd didn’t exactly see it that way. To him, this Danica was getting a month’s free rent in a million-dollar property. He doubted his sister would be getting the same deal, even if she thought this seemed like a great idea.

“You’ve seen her what, once in the past decade?” He’d gathered this much from what Ashlyn had told him about her college friend over the years.

“Actually I see her all the time thanks to Skype,” Ashlyn quipped.

“You know what I mean.”

Ashlyn frowned. “I don’t understand what you’re getting so riled up about.”

“Then I’ll tell you.” His thick brows drew together. “That’s a valuable piece of real estate you’re living in. You can’t just go around inviting people you hardly know outside of virtual reality to practically take up residence here. For all you know she could trash the place, or worse!”

“Danica is perfectly harmless,” Ashlyn countered. “And I do know her quite well. She’s definitely not the trashing-someone’s-house type. We may not have seen each other in person very often since college, but we’ve always kept in touch by phone, email and even snail mail over the years. Besides, this was my idea to switch places, not hers.”

“But she certainly seized the opportunity,” Boyd grumbled stubbornly, a trait he’d inherited from their father. Whereas Ashlyn was just like her mother—generous to a fault and perfectly happy taking chances with her life. And property. Well, he wasn’t going to just stand by without at least giving his opinion that she could be playing with fire in coming up with this cockamamy plan.

“Can you blame her?” Ashlyn challenged him. “Who wouldn’t want to spend a few weeks in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and everything else our islands have to offer?”

“Yeah, I suppose.” Boyd realized he was fighting a losing battle with little ground to stand on. Maybe he was just being overprotective of her and the property they co-owned.

“What are you so worried about anyway? Do you honestly believe Danica plans to come here and make a mess of things just to piss you off? Or maybe rob us out of house and home, as if she needs to?” Ashlyn folded her arms, giving him a look that suggested how ridiculous that was. “The lady’s an award-winning, highly respected photographer, who’s doing quite well for herself, thank you.”

“I never suggested she was a thief,” Boyd said lamely. Even if he questioned her motives, it was obvious to him that Danica was successful in her own right. Just as Ashlyn was, as an international relations specialist. And he was an unqualified success as an investor in everything from stocks to high-end properties. His keen investments afforded him the ability to act as a tour guide on the side. Showing visitors his appreciation for the paradise he lived in made his pleasant life even sweeter.

“If you give Danica half a chance, you just might find you two have a lot in common,” Ashlyn said.

“Such as…?” He imagined this would be good.

She met his gaze. “You’re both headstrong, great looking, educated, successful, independent, outgoing…and available—”

“Whoa…hold on a minute.” Boyd had no argument about the adjectives applied to them until she got to the available part. Yes, he was single again and—by choice—had been for some time. Between work and not finding that one woman who really fit the bill, he wasn’t looking at the moment. “This isn’t about my love life.” Or was she being sneaky in trying to play matchmaker between him and her college friend?

“Hey, I’m just saying…” Ashlyn gave him a coy look.

“Yeah, right.” He frowned lightly, even though he knew she had his back always, as he did hers.

“Danica’s a great gal and still my best friend. All I’m asking is that you give this experiment a chance to work for me and her. And don’t be afraid to put your tour guide cap on to show her around our great city. I promise she won’t bite.”

Boyd grinned. He wasn’t entirely averse to being bitten by the right woman. And maybe nibbling on her body, too. It would be premature, though, to think that this was in the works with her friend.

“Fine,” he relented. “She can come and hang out at the house for a month. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior and make her feel welcome on the island.”

Ashlyn’s face broke into a wide smile. “Mahalo.” She lifted up on her toes and hugged him. “I knew I could count on you.”

“Always,” Boyd promised. He would take Danica’s visit one day at a time till her month was up and Ashlyn was back where she belonged.

And Danica was back in Chicago.

* * *

It was exactly a week after they made plans to switch residences for a month that Danica was aboard a plane bound for Hilo International Airport. Though she had hardly been able to think about anything else, it was still hard to believe she was actually en route to heaven on earth. She was almost giddy with excitement and intended not to waste one moment in this trip of a lifetime.

If that meant trying new things, she would.

She’d love to be swept off her feet by a hunk in Hawaii who could take as much as he gave. But she wasn’t getting her hopes up. Whether in Chicago, Hilo or anywhere else, romance only happened if the connection was there. And if it wasn’t, oh, well…

Danica sipped on her cocktail in first class, looking out on the thick white clouds. She knew that at that moment Ashlyn was en route to Chicago. They had timed it to practically pass each other in the air as they literally switched places in their lives.

Before she’d left, she had given her loft a more thorough cleaning than usual, wanting to leave a good impression for her friend, whom Danica believed was getting the short end of the stick in the exchange. She, on the other hand, was getting a slice of Hawaii, which spoke for itself.

Nevertheless Danica was proud of her place in the Windy City and wanted Ashlyn to feel right at home. Toward that end, she’d left her a few goodies—fresh fruit, chocolate and wine—the latter two of which were Ashlyn’s guilty pleasures. And Danica’s friends promised to take Ashlyn out on the town and be available if she needed anything.

As promised, Danica had asked a handsome male friend named Hunter Ortega to give Ashlyn a call and see if they might hit it off. Hunter was a successful investment banker who had been to Hawaii many times. He was also single after ending a long relationship and seemed a good match for Ashlyn.

One can only hope we both do better in each other’s stomping grounds than in our own backyards when it comes to finding love.

When the plane landed, Danica had butterflies in her stomach. She was on the Big Island and there was no turning back now. For a month, this was home.

She received a spirited lei greeting and was pointed in the right direction to retrieve her bags. Afterward, she found Ashlyn’s white Suzuki Kizashi sedan and was on her way. Marveling at the lush scenery, Danica drove from the airport and, per Ashlyn’s instructions, wound her way through several streets before reaching Kalanianaole Avenue and the house she would call home for the next month.

It was a large two-story Hawaiian plantation-style residence surrounded by mature landscaping of palm trees and lush tropical plants.

Danica walked onto the lava-rock front porch with a built-in koa wood seat. She found the key under the doormat and went inside, stepping onto a ceramic-tiled floor in the foyer.

All she could think of after one glance of the great room was Wow! The place was huge, with a eucalyptus hardwood floor. The sun shone through a skylight over a vaulted beam ceiling. The furnishings were an impressive blend of antique and contemporary. On a hexagonal glass coffee table was a bottle of macadamia nut honey wine with a ribbon around it and a tag that read Welcome.

Before she sampled it and went on the grand tour, she had one task—to set up her laptop.

She and Ashlyn had sent each other a short video message to be played the moment they arrived in each other’s homes.

Sitting down on the plush couch, she watched as Ashlyn’s face came onto the computer screen.

“Aloha, Danica. Welcome to my home. I won’t take up any of your precious time. Just wanted to tell you a bit about the house. It was built in 1937 by my grandparents, who left it to my parents, and eventually it became my and Boyd’s property. The house overlooks Richardson Beach with black sand that you’ll find really interesting. Okay, enough from me. Have fun and maybe meet the man of your dreams. Aloha!”

Danica smiled. She was already having fun. As for meeting the man of her dreams, she was keeping an open mind but not getting her hopes up.

She rose and approached stained-glass doors that opened to the backyard garden and a path toward the ocean. After grabbing her digital camera, Danica stepped outside, basking in the warmth and sunshine. She couldn’t resist taking a few pictures right away to send back to her friends in Chicago.

Walking across winding cobblestones, Danica stood not far from the beach, taking in its intriguing black sand. She snapped more pictures, this time focusing on the marvelous ocean itself. Turning back to the magnificent yard, she came to a section with red, pink, white and purple anthurium flowers and couldn’t resist the urge to see them through her lens. The yard was shaded by grand hapu’u tree ferns and fruit and palm trees.

What she wouldn’t give to have them in her backyard every time she stepped out of the house.

Danica shifted the camera west across the grassy yard, hoping to catch a perfect sunset. Her lens instead fell upon the sculpted image of a tall, muscular African-American man with black Rasta locks. After getting over the shock, Danica had to admit he had certainly gotten her attention better than any sunset ever could.