As I bore the pain of my bleeding heart, I wondered if I should call Bridget. I didn’t want to talk to Lee though. It was better this way.
Then a text came through my silent phone. I had forgotten to turn it on with all the excitement of Christmas morning.
Lee: Thank you. Bridget and I love our gifts. But you’re wrong. I don’t have everything.
I stared at the message until Abby took my phone to read it.
“Call him,” she ground out, a bit annoyed this time.
I shook my head. I didn’t know how to answer so I tucked the phone inside my back pocket and enjoyed the cookies with my family while silently thanking Lee and missing him madly.
I was going home soon. The distance between us across the ocean would heal my heart.
Chapter Thirty-Two — Soulmates
“I don’t understand why we have to dress up.” I narrowed my eyes at Abby who stood next to me in front of her bathroom mirror. “We’re going to dinner, not a ball.”
Actually, I’d rather stay in. We’d had a wonderful Christmas dinner two nights ago and I wanted to spend my last night in the comfort of home.
Abby ignored me and smoothed out her simple crimson dress that rested on her curves—not too loose and not too tight. She looked sophisticated and stunning. Her makeup brought out her brown eyes, high cheekbones, and plump lips.
I finished curling my hair in silence, then fluffed it with my fingers. Then I twisted from side to side to examine the black dress I had borrowed from my sister.
Abby glided on lipstick and smacked her lips together. “There. I’m ready.”
“Can we go now?” Tyler walked into Abby’s room clad in a navy suit with spit-shined dress shoes. He even wore a red tie to match his mother’s dress.
Tylers’s hair was parted to the side and slicked back, which I’d supervised earlier. He looked adorable, and he knew it from the way he held his head high, smirking.
“Yes, we can go now,” I said and placed a hand on his shoulder and guided him out to the family room. Abby followed behind us.
My parents stood in front of the two paintings on either side of the hearth. Father had his back to me, pinning a sparkling palm tree pendant on Mother’s black blazer while her hand rested down her long skirt. Then Mother dusted something off from Father’s navy suit and adjusted his tie.
I loved watching the simple, loving gestures between them—and between older couples in general. It proved that love conquered all, even after their years together.
“Papa.” I draped my arms around his shoulders. “Why are you taking us to an expensive dinner?”
They should be saving money for their retirement and not spend unnecessarily on us.
My father frowned and peered down at me. “Can’t I buy my daughter the best dinner on her last day in Kauai?”
“Yes, but why Poipu Grand Hotel? There are so many restaurants.”
Dad placed a tender hand on my cheek. “Abby told me they have good steak. And you know how much I love steak. Let’s live a little and do something spontaneous.”
“Ready? Say cheese.” Mom had her phone in her hand and took pictures of Dad and me. Then she snapped one of Tyler and Abby.
I’d thought to bring my camera to dinner but I wasn’t in the mood.
“Now I know where Kate got that habit from.” Abby grabbed her purse from the entryway table and slipped on her heels.
“It’s not a habit.” I didn’t appreciate her sly remark. Or perhaps I was being ultra-sensitive to anything anyone said to me the past few days.
“Oh wait. I almost forgot.” Father went to Abby’s room and came back with three pink hibiscus flowers. “One for each of you.”
“That’s so sweet, Dad. Thank you.” Abby took two and handed one to Mom.
“Thank you, Dad.” I pressed my nose to its soft petals and sniffed the sweet fragrance before I slipped it behind my left ear.
Abby took the flower out of my hair and moved it to the other side. “You would be taken if you would just call Lee. Anyway, since you’re not, you put it on your right.”
I frowned but dismissed her comment.
The drive to Poipu Grand Hotel was short, but my heart pounded the whole ride. We were going to the same hotel where the charity function had been held. There was no reason to think I’d see Lee, but no guarantee I wouldn’t.
After Abby handed the minivan keys to a valet, we passed through the double glass door. The lobby was just as beautiful as the first time I had seen it.
My family was so mesmerized by the poinsettias arranged in tiers and Christmas tree embellished with red bows almost reaching the high ceiling that we took our time going to the restaurant. Other families had the same idea, too. After we took pictures in front of the seasonal displays, we were on our way.
I sat before a spectacular view overlooking the beach and placed my black clutch purse on my lap. Although it was dark, the lights on the walkway allowed us to see the people strolling below us or dining at other restaurants.
“See. This is nice.” My father peered over his glasses. He pushed them up and got back to reading the menu.
“There’s so much to choose from.” My mom flipped the page. “I can’t decide. Should I have the beef or salmon?”
“It depends on—” I stopped and turned toward someone tapping my shoulder. “Jessica?”
She wore a purple silk dress, too formal for casual dining. But then again, it was Jessica.
“Hi.” She lifted a hand and glanced about the table. “I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure. And your sister, Al ... Ab—”
“Abby,” I finished for her. “This is my father and my mother, and Abby’s son Tyler. You remember him, don’t you?”
I might have sounded a bit sarcastic but I didn’t care. This woman always put me in a foul mood. Why was she always in my face?
My parents nodded in greeting and smiled.
Jessica let out a fake laugh. “Of course I remember Tyler. Hello, Mom and Dad. Abby, you’ll have to excuse me. I didn’t forget your name. I’ve been working so hard. I’ve been busy helping Leonardo.”
I bristled. I wanted to know what they were working on, but I should let it go. During the movie night, Lee hadn’t seemed to want to work with her. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe he’d finally given in. Sometimes persistence worked.
My sister gripped my arm. I hadn’t realized I was holding the steak knife a bit too hard.
“Oh,” I drawled. “What are you helping Lee with?”
“Well ...” She bit her bottom lip, fluttering her eyelashes. “He asked me to—”
Abby’s chair skidded on the hardwood floor when she pushed back. “I’m going to the restroom. Order the clam linguini for me,” she said to me and grabbed Jessica’s arm. “Come with me. Let’s talk.”
Something was going on between Lee and Jessica, and Abby must have known. Well, whatever. I had no right to be upset.
“Who is she?” my mother whispered, her eyes still on them. “She’s pretty but she’s ... she’s ...”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. Where’s the waiter? Let’s order.”