CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. That's the great thing about time zones, Katherine said as she shut the door on their rental

" That's the great thing about time zones, " Katherine said as she shut the door on their rental. " We just gained five hours."

Jay glanced at Drew, acknowledging the subtle wink she gave her.

" Oh, this is too quaint, Katherine, " Jenna gushed as they walked up the wooden steps to the office. " It's just beautiful."

And it was, Jay admitted. They could hear the waves, smell the ocean, but it was hidden from this angle by row upon row of cedars, most of them dwarfing the palm trees that were scattered about.

" Well, if these are the cedars, where's the rainbow? " Katherine asked with a laugh, her gaze on Jenna.

Jay barely resisted rolling her eyes at Katherine's attempt at a joke. They were saved more trivial chatter when they were greeted by a young lady wearing shorts, sandals and a bright flowery Hawaiian shirt. Completing her outfit was a large red flower tucked behind one ear. Jay wondered if the locals got tired of dressing up for the tourists.

" Aloha... welcome, " she greeted them. " You must be Katherine Patton from Texas."

" Yes."

" You are right on time. I trust your short flight from Oahu was satisfactory? "

" Wonderful. And the rental car was there as promised."

" Excellent. My name is Eleu. Let me show you to your cottages." She turned to a younger boy standing behind her. She nodded once and he was off, dashing toward their car. " He'll bring your luggage."

They walked through the fragrant garden, alive with vibrant colors of flowers and the lush greenness that Jay could imagine a rain forest having. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sweet smells.

" Wow, look at that."

She looked to where Drew was looking, her own eyes widening. " Wow is right, " she murmured, tilting her head up. " And I thought the trees out front were big."

Eleu laughed. " That is the tree of Okalani. Legend has it she planted the tree over four hundred years ago.. It draws the rainbows to our island, " she said with a smile. " Or so the elders say."

" I was curious about the name of your business, " Katherine said. " It makes perfect sense now."

" I will be happy to share the legend of Okalani with you if you are interested."

" Yes. Maybe later, " Katherine said. " Right now, I just want out of these clothes and to get into the pool, " she said, pointing to the pristine water that shimmered on the other side of the flower garden.

" Of course. But I hope you take advantage of our section of beach here. Your cottages look out over the ocean. It's only a short walk to the water."

" How's the surfing here? " Drew asked.

" Small waves, but a bit rocky in parts. Beginners love it." She looked Drew over. " You don't look like a beginner."

Drew shook her head. " It's been a few years since I've surfed. I think I'd need a refresher course."

" I have brochures of some of the local guides. I can recommend one. But it's farther down the island. The waves are much better."

" Great."

" You surf? " Jay asked as they continued on to their cottages.

" I've been here once before. But it's a story best told over a fruity drink."

Jay chuckled. " I knew there was a reason you were anxious to get to Hawaii. You can drink a mai tai with a cute little umbrella and no one will question your toughness, " she teased.

" Can I have sex on the beach too? "

Jay stumbled and Drew grabbed her elbow to steady her, her quiet laugh for Jay's ears only.

" You're very, very mean."

" Here we go, ladies, " Eleu said. " These two are yours."

There were only ten or twelve cottages at most, Jay guessed. They sat in a semicircle, all facing the ocean. They were painted different colors, bright fun colors. A back door faced the garden and tiny road, too small for a car. The front door and porch looked out over the beach. Tall palm trees were spaced between each cottage and dozens of flower pots sat haphazardly, all blooming profusely with red and pink flowers.

" The cottages are identical, so take your pick, " she said. " Linens and towels are changed daily, usually mid-morning. If you are late sleepers, we can always change our schedule to meet yours."

" Oh, mid-morning is fine, " Katherine said. " I do have some excursions planned for Oahu on several days. Can you make the arrangements for transportation? "

" Absolutely. Just let me know when." She looked down the small road, smiling. " Manko is here with your luggage."

The young boy drove a golf cart, their bags piled high around him. Drew rushed over, catching one before it tipped off when he came to a stop.

" Thank you, ma'am, " he said shyly.

" No problem. Let me give you a hand." She looked at the others. " Do you guys have a preference? "

" Oh, it doesn't matter, " Katherine said. " We'll take this one." She headed to the bright yellow cottage, taking the key from Eleu.

The inside was as bright and airy as the outside. The windows were opened, letting in the fresh ocean breeze, the sheer curtains blowing lazily back and forth. Flowers—most likely cut this morning—were in a vase on the small table. Jay walked to the front door and pulled it open, standing there taking in the view.

" It's beautiful." She turned, finding Eleu watching her. " Everything is beautiful."

" Thank you. I hope you enjoy your stay with us." She turned, pointing to the kitchen. " Everything you need, should you choose to cook here. There's a small grocery store not far from here. They have a wonderful selection of coffee beans." She moved to the lone door. " Through here is the bedroom and bath."

" Thanks, Eleu. I appreciate it, " Katherine said. " It's everything you promised."

" Of course. We aim to please, " she said with a smile. " I will leave you now. Please let me know what services I can provide."

Manko stuck his head inside, his arms laden with their bags. " The other women said these were yours."

" Yes. Just put them in the bedroom, " Katherine said. She turned to Jay. " Didn't I tell you you'd like it? It's costing a fortune, but just having Eleu available to make travel arrangements is worth it."

" Yes. You were right. I think it'll be very relaxing here, " she said, ignoring the comment regarding money. She looked out the front door instead. " And the beach is right there." She tossed a glance back at Katherine. " But I don't anticipate you being down at the beach much."

" Oh, I'm sure I'll stroll the beach some and get my feet wet. The water looks crystal clear. I'm more of a pool person, you know that." She laughed. " I prefer to have a cabana boy at my beck and call."

Then why come to an island if you don't like the ocean? Jay shook her head, knowing she had that and many other questions for Katherine, but still she hesitated. She wanted to confront Katherine, wanted to know what was going on. But a part of her didn't want to know. A part of her wanted to bury her head in the very lovely sand down on the beach and not spoil their vacation.

So no, she didn't ask. She could go with the flow for a couple of weeks. Because deep in her heart, she knew it was over. She knew it the moment she realized that it was Jenna Katherine really wanted to spend her vacation with. No. That's not true. She knew it was over months ago. It just wasn't so blatantly obvious months ago.

" I'm going to change."

Jay nodded, watching Katherine go into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She sighed, leaning her head back with eyes closed. Gonna be a long ten days.

" Hey."

She spun around, a smile lighting her face as Drew stood there. No, it wouldn't be so bad. What was she thinking? She and Drew would have ten days to play.

" You're still dressed."

" So are you."

Jay pointed at the closed door to the bedroom. " Katherine went to change. Apparently I wasn't welcome, " she said quietly.

" Funny. I got the same treatment."

Jay tilted her head. " Very strange trip."

" I'd have to agree."

Jay walked closer. " They're going to the pool."

" Yeah. Wanna go to the beach? "

Jay grinned. " Absolutely. Meet you out front? "

Drew nodded, her eyes moving over Jay's body. " Bikini? "

" No way."

" Pity."

She disappeared as quickly as she'd come in and Jay's smile faltered once she was alone again. Drew wanted to see her in a bikini. Katherine didn't want to see her at all. Yeah... very strange trip.

Jay stopped up short, nearly stumbling in the sand. Drew was waiting, her back to her, staring out toward the ocean, her light brown hair blowing in the breeze. She was wearing next to nothing. And there didn't seem to be even an inch of her that was not tanned a golden brown.

Dear God in heaven.

As if sensing her presence, Drew turned, their eyes meeting for a second before Drew's slid lower. Jay saw the smile form and couldn't prevent one of her own. She hadn't worn a bikini, but her suit left little to the imagination. And thankfully, the time spent in the pool last month had paid off. Her tan was nearly as pronounced as Drew's.

" Beautiful, " Drew said, her voice low.

Jay smiled, letting the word sink in. Yes, Drew made her feel that way. Beautiful. Special. Like she was somebody, not nobody. She flicked her gaze over Drew, her eyes lingering on her small breasts, barely covered by the red top. " That should be illegal."

Drew grinned. " I don't like being in the water with anything on. This was the smallest I could find and still be considered wearing something."

Jay moved closer, surprised at her impulse to touch Drew— her arms, her waist, her shoulder—anywhere to feel flesh. But she controlled her desire, twisting her hands behind her back and looking away. " This is so not fair, " she said.

" Sweetheart, if you think your swimsuit is fair, you're mistaken. And I lied. I have undressed you with my eyes."

With that, she turned, jogging easily to the water's edge, leaving Jay staring after her.

We're going to get into so much trouble.