Aloha Fantasy. Devon Vaughn Archer

Would she find she couldn’t hack it and leave early? Maybe he would just let this thing play out and see how things went. For all he knew, maybe Ashlyn would find that Chicago wasn’t exactly what she had in mind and be back on the Big Island in a snap, sending her friend packing.

       “So did you have a chance to check out your new digs?” he asked Danica, trying to keep his voice friendly instead of overly suspicious and guarded.

       “No, I haven’t had the chance to do that yet,” she said.

       “Well in that case allow me to give you the grand tour.”

       Did she have a choice? She forced a smile. “That would be nice.”

      * * *

       “This is obviously the kitchen.” Boyd wondered if she was a good cook. That wasn’t Ashlyn’s forte, while he had always been handy in the kitchen.

       “I can see that.” Danica looked around at the spacious room with old-world craftsmanship, Koa wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and even an ocean view. I’ll bet I could cook up a storm in here, she thought. Maybe even invite him to join me. Or would that be going overboard for someone she didn’t really know?

       Boyd opened the refrigerator. “Ashlyn took the liberty of stocking it with what she remembered as some of your favorites, along with some authentic Hawaiian cuisine.”

       Danica flashed a smile. “How sweet of her.” In fact, she had done the very same thing in her loft to make it easier for her friend.

       They moved from room to room on the first floor and Danica was awed by both the simplicity and elegance of the home. On the second floor there were yet more well-appointed rooms with terrific views of the ocean and mountains.

       “This is the master suite, or Ashlyn’s room,” Boyd pointed out. Or your room for now. “Hope it’s to your liking.”

       “What’s not to like?” Danica said, scanning the bedroom/sitting area from its huge windows to the hardwood floor to the rustic cedar furnishings. It seemed like the perfect room, one she could imagine cozying up in over the next four weeks.

       “I was thinking the same thing.” About you. Boyd stood over her, contemplating what it would be like to make love to her. Something told him the experience would reach his very core. He turned away such thoughts, realizing that she wasn’t there for his pleasure. And he wasn’t ready to give Danica a free pass for taking advantage of Ashlyn’s generosity.

       Danica was also very much aware of Boyd’s presence, the heat emanating from his solid body so near that it made her own temperature rise. She could actually picture them on Ashlyn’s queen bed doing some things that would truly set her soul on fire. She forced herself to cool off mentally and get back to the real world. One where Boyd was only hanging around as a courtesy. Or so she assumed.

       “Well, thanks for the tour,” she told him, looking over her shoulder.

       “My pleasure.” Boyd wasn’t ready to see this end just yet. “I’m sure you must be hungry after your long flight and probably some less-than-tasty offerings on the airline.”

       “I’m starved,” Danica admitted.

       “I’d be happy to whip up something for you,” he offered. “Or better yet, there’s a nice bistro not far from here that has some great food. My treat.”

       “The bistro sounds good. Let me just freshen up.”

       “Of course.” Boyd smiled. “I have to make a phone call anyway. I’ll wait outside for you.”

       Danica wondered if Ashlyn had put him up to this kindness on her behalf. Or was it all Boyd’s own doing? Either way, she didn’t see where it hurt either of them to have a meal together as she got used to her new home away from home.

       After washing her face and brushing her hair, Danica applied just a touch of makeup, which was all she ever wore anyway. During the daytime she had to remember to put on sunblock, wanting to protect herself from the strong Hawaiian rays.

       She peeked out the window and saw Boyd leaning against a shiny black Mercedes-Benz sedan, a cell phone up to his ear. Apparently he did well for himself. She seemed to recall Ashlyn saying something about him being a big-time investor. But her friend hadn’t indicated that he was seeing anyone. In fact, she had suggested just the opposite.

       Not that Danica could honestly expect that a man as hot as Boyd was just waiting around in this hotbed of beautiful women for her to arrive on the scene. Any more than he had any right to expect that she had come to the Big Island in search of him.

       Downstairs Danica got on her computer, hoping Ashlyn was at her place by now and available for a quick chat. She opened the Skype interface and rang her.

       Within a few moments, Ashlyn’s face appeared.

       “Well, Aloha,” Ashlyn said. “Looks like you’ve arrived at your destination, safe and sound.”

       A smile crossed Danica’s face. “I could say the same about you.”

       “Yes, I’m here and loving your place.”

       “You took the words right out of my mouth,” Danica said. “Your house is out of this world. How could you ever want to leave for even one day, much less a month?”

       Ashlyn chuckled. “People have often asked me that when I’ve traveled elsewhere. I usually tell them that I prefer to see the green grass on the other side from time to time.”

       Danica laughed. “Good way of putting it.”

       “The Windy City should give me plenty to work with.”

       “I hope so,” Danica said, knowing that Hilo would provide her with more than enough things to do. “So…I’ve met your brother.”

       Ashlyn smiled. “I was about to ask you about him. What do you think?”

       “He’s very handsome,” she said honestly.

       “Just don’t let that go to his head,” her friend joked. “Otherwise, I might never hear the end of it.”

       “I’ll try to remember that.”

       “Has Boyd been on his best behavior?” asked Ashlyn.

       “So far, so good.” Danica could see him still yapping away outside. “In fact, he’s invited me out for a bite to eat.”

       “Hmm…good for you.”

       “It’s just a meal,” Danica emphasized. “I have to eat.”

       “I didn’t stock the fridge enough?” Ashlyn teased. “Seriously, have fun with my big brother and then whatever happens, happens.”

       “I could say the same about you and Hunter. Has he gotten in touch yet?”

       “As a matter of fact he phoned while I was still at the airport in Hilo,” Ashlyn said. “And again after I arrived. Seems like a nice guy. We’ve already made plans to get together tomorrow.”

       “That was quick.”

       “Look who’s talking.”

       Danica blushed. She didn’t exactly consider her outing with Boyd a date, per se, but she could hardly argue the point. She glanced up and saw Boyd heading toward the house.

       “Well, I’d better get going,” she told her. “Thanks again for this idea.”

       “I just wish I’d thought of it years ago,” Ashlyn responded. “Who knows how it might have turned out for us?”

       “Maybe the next four weeks will give us an idea.”

       She stood up as Boyd entered. “How are we doing in here?” he asked, meeting her eyes.

       “I’m all set,” she answered, smiling.

      * * *