Black Dahlia (The Dahlia Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 2) (5 page)

“D, don’t get up,” Lily whispers to her sister. “You were asleep by the time I came back last night. I just came to say good-bye.”

Dahlia rolls over and rubs her eyes. “I thought your flight wasn’t until later.”

Lily smiles. “It is later, you slacker. You’ve been sleeping in a lot.”

“Yeah well . . .”

“Don’t worry, D, I get it,” Lily reassures her.

Dahlia props her head on her elbow. “Get what exactly?”

Lily sighs. She doesn’t really want to get into this. Dahlia’s made it clear she doesn’t want to talk about Shane and life without him.

“That you’re depressed, D. You’re grieving. If you need to sleep to cope, so be it. You don’t need me to talk to you about being productive or keeping busy or planning your future. I just want you to start embracing life again, whatever that means to you.”

“I think it’s time you go back to New York, Lil. You’re starting to sound like Vi.” Dahlia falls back onto her pillows.

“You asked, D.”

Dahlia looks away in response.

“Anyhow,” Lily says, “Take care of yourself. I’ll call you as soon as I land in New York. Hopefully you’ll come visit me in Miami when you get back to the States.” She leans in to kiss Dahlia on the cheek then closes the bedroom door softly.

Dahlia doesn’t go back to sleep. Lily’s words are like a marble rolling around in her head.
Depressed
. . .
grieving . . . coping
. Dahlia’s never appreciated or accepted labels. She always fought to defy them somehow, perhaps because she feared that they would box her in and eventually suffocate her. She hated living in New York for this reason, which made being in California so appealing. But now, California will always remind her of Shane. And with Lily out of New York, she has nothing to tie her to the city.
Will I ever find a place that feels like home?
She wonders.

The sound of Vi shouting forces Dahlia out of bed. She rushes downstairs, so focused on the expletives coming from outside that she doesn’t register the tall, half-naked muscular guy descending the stairs ahead of her. She crashes into him, catching herself on the rail while he tumbles the rest of the way.

“Oh my God,” Dahlia screams. “I’m so sorry, I d-didn’t see you.”

He quickly stands, looking as embarrassed as Dahlia. “No worries,” he replies.

Her eyes linger a bit too long on his bare sculpted chest. She instantly recognizes him from the party last night.

“Oliver, right?”

“Ollie,” he corrects. “And you’re Dahlia.” He gives her a wide smile.

Vi’s yelling distracts Dahlia. She spots her friend outside on her phone, pacing and smoking a cigarette. “Did you post bail?. . . Why the hell not?. . . Where in the fuck is the lawyer?”

“Your friend always this high-strung?” Ollie asks Dahlia.

She turns her attention back to him and shrugs. Vi’s one of the most unflappable people she knows. But what she’s hearing doesn’t sound like the same woman who’s been lecturing her about finding internal peace.

“This is your goddamn mess!” Dahlia overhears.

“You didn’t stay long,” Ollie says, leaning forward and closing the distance between them.

“I came home early. Didn’t feel like hanging out,” she replies casually. Dahlia steps backward to get a bit of breathing room.

“Vi,” she calls out, heading toward the terrace. She glances back at Ollie, who grins at her as he puts on his t-shirt. “What’s up?”

Vi holds up a finger as if to say, “Give me a minute,” then walks to the gazebo at the edge of the infinity pool to continue her conversation.

Dahlia sighs. She’s never seen Vi so tense. She stands there another minute, not wanting to go back into the house. By his body language and too friendly personality, Dahlia could tell Ollie wouldn’t mind seeing if he could hook up with her as well, or maybe even go for a threesome. The thought makes Dahlia nauseous.

“Good morning, Erica.” Dahlia jumps when she hears Kai’s almost too cheerful voice call out.

She spins around to see Kai approaching them through the kitchen. Dahlia smiles a bit too brightly, relieved to have an excuse to get away from Ollie.

“Ready for the beach?” He asks.

Dahlia nods, playing along. She’d gladly be anywhere but here. Vi is about to combust, and Ollie seems to want to get a bit too friendly.

“Two minutes,” she says, racing up the stairs.

“So that’s twice you’ve helped me when I’ve been confronted by snakes,” Dahlia says as she follows Kai down to the beach.

He looks back at her and laughs. “At least you weren’t barefoot or underdressed this time.”

Dahlia raises an eyebrow. “Not to sound ungrateful, but why’d you show up at the house? I thought you were supposed to be a ghost or something.”

“The housekeeper saw Ollie walking around naked and called me. Made her nervous not having a guy around. She just asked that I come around and check things out. She’s from a small village and isn’t used to women with, umm, you know, male guests.” Dahlia could only imagine her horror if the woman took care of her New York apartment.

They continue in a comfortable silence. Eventually, Kai moves aside a large palm frond for Dahlia, and they emerge onto a small stretch of empty beach. She digs her feet into the cool white sand and closes her eyes. After a deep breath, she opens them to take in the view, captivated by the way the sun glints off the water.

“It’s breathtaking,” she whispers. The calm, crystal blue water crawls slowly toward the shore, only to be swept out in a perfectly, unhurried fashion. It’s not the intense rush of waves of the Pacific Dahlia’s used to. “And I thought the waterfall you showed me last night was spectacular. I’ve been to a lot of islands, but I’ve never seen a beach quite like this. There’s so much beauty in this one place. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to notice it.”

Kai smiles, showing his two deep dimples. “On Maui, we have beautiful beaches. I’ve seen plenty of islands as well, but this is by far my favorite.”

Dahlia nods and slowly walks toward the water, kicking off her sandals. She wades in up to her knees, the water lapping up her legs and soaking the bottom of her sundress.

“You know you could surf out here. In the afternoons, the waves break about thirty feet out. They’re not huge, but you can have some fun.”

“Why would I want to do that?” Dahlia asks bitterly.

Kai crosses his arms across his broad chest and shrugs. “Why not? Your own private beach. What could be better?”

Dahlia turns around and fishes her sandals out of the sand.

“Like I told you, it was a lifetime ago.”

“Just something the Old Woman said, that’s all,” he replies innocently. But Dahlia recognizes something in his deep brown eyes. Pain? Pity? No, but it’s eager and intense.

“What did she say?”

Before Kai can respond, Dahlia hears Vi call her name.

“There you are,” Vi says, out of breath.

“Yeah, I’m here,” she replies.
Could her timing be any worse?

Vi stops when she sees Kai and Dahlia standing two feet apart. “Darling, I’m headed back to New York. Something’s come up. You want to come back with me?” Then she smiles slyly. “Or perhaps you want to stay on a bit.”

Dahlia looks at Kai and frowns. “Tell me now. Turns out I’ve got to go.”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow. But you’ll have to surf with me first.”

“But . . .”

“Guess you have to decide what you want.” Kai rubs his finger along his smooth chin.

Dahlia shakes her head, exasperated, and begins walking back to the house, Vi on her heels.

Vi throws her suitcase on her bed and unzips it. Dahlia leans against the doorframe and watches as she begins to haphazardly fill it with her dresses and swimsuits. When she finishes tearing through her closet, Vi sits on the edge of her bed and lights a cigarette.

“I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you smoke.” Dahlia walks around the bed and sits down in a white, leather Eames chair in the corner. “What gives?”

Vi shakes her head. “Not right now, D.”

“Come off it, Vi. I’ve had to endure endless lectures and clichés about finding my happiness, my peace, and dealing with grief from you and Lily for weeks now, and you take issue with my commentary about you smoking?”

Vi takes a long drag. “It’s not the same.” She stands and walks out onto the balcony.

“So you’re not going to tell me?”

“Nope.” Vi raises the cigarette to her lips.

Dahlia sighs. “Fine, then I’m staying here. I can’t follow you to New York. Clearly, you’re going to be shitty company, and God knows with the way you’re acting, you’ll fall off the radar. Besides, I don’t want to go back to my old life right now.”

Vi stubs her cigarette out on the balcony and smiles at Dahlia. “That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard from you in weeks.”

“You’re such a bitch sometimes.”

“I’d say it’s one of my more positive qualities,” Vi says sarcastically. She walks back to her suitcase and pulls out a deep purple bikini. “Shame I didn’t get to wear this.” Then, peeling off her dress she says, “Let’s go to the beach after lunch. I want one more swim before I have to go face the sharks.”

Dahlia opens her mouth to reply but quickly closes it, knowing the subject is off limits. Vi has her secrets—always has. She heads to her room, frustrated and resigned.

“Isn’t that your friend Kai?” Vi points out in the distance.

Dahlia brings her hand to her forehead, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Sure looks like it,” she replies casually, although deep down she’s feeling anything but calm. Butterflies fill her stomach when she considers the offer he made. Stay and he’ll reveal what the healer said.
Then what
?
Will he think I’m staying for him
?
Am I staying for him
?
Where would I go if I leave?
She wonders to herself.

Dahlia sits down on the sand and buries her face in her hands.

As if anticipating her question, Vi places a gentle hand on Dahlia’s back. “No, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now,” she says quietly. “You have the luxury of time, D. Just trust that you’re where you’re meant to be in the moment. Tomorrow doesn’t matter.”

“So easy for you to say.” Dahlia watches Kai paddle out to a wave.

“No, it’s not. Trust me. I’d give anything to not be in the mess I’m in.”

Dahlia eyes her warily.

“Nope. Still not going to tell you.” Vi shakes her head. “Kai seems like a nice guy,” she says, deliberately changing the subject, “And pretty damn hot. Just look at those abs, D.” Vi pauses and points. They watch as he takes a flawless bottom turn into a perfect roundhouse cutback.

“I have no idea what he’s doing, but it’s impressive.”

Dahlia nods. “He clearly has some moves.”

“You’re not the least bit interested?”

“Should I be?” Dahlia tries to sound nonchalant. Deep down a part of her is most certainly interested. His reserve, the self-possessed way he carries himself endows him with some mystery, which Dahlia finds undeniably sexy.

“You don’t need to bullshit me, D. I have a sense about these things, you know that.”

Dahlia leans back on her hands. “I’m intrigued for sure. But I’m not ready for a relationship, Vi. God knows how long it will be before I can open myself to someone.”

“Of course. Kai isn’t a forever guy. But he can certainly be for now. Especially when you look at those lips. Consider him a gift from the universe. Someone who can help you open your heart, at least a little. Happily ever after’s aren’t guaranteed. Sometimes you have to take the happily for now.”

“Okay, wise madam,” Dahlia puts her hands together and bows jokingly at Vi.

Vi laughs, standing up and heading toward the water. She continues until the water reaches above her waist. “It’s glorious in here. Paint this for me. I want to remember this place.”

Dahlia dives into the waves and joins her friend. “There’s probably a reason he’s a surfer,” Vi says, when Dahlia surfaces. “You can’t resist or put walls up to block your fears, or the things you fear most will keep coming at you. Just embrace what comes your way.”

“Says you—the woman with impenetrable walls.”

“Yeah, and they’re closing in on me. Trust me, D.”

Dahlia looks back at Kai who’s sitting up on his board, staring out into the horizon.
Is he looking for something too?
She wonders.

For the first time since arriving on the island, Dahlia doesn’t sleep late. Instead, she’s up with the dawn, anxious to see Kai and unlock whatever vision the Old Woman had of her. But more than that, finding herself alone in a beautiful setting stirs something inside Dahlia. She’s finally able to breathe again. No well-intentioned friend and no sister suffocating her with their concerns. She smiles as she welcomes the sunrise, recognizing the glimmer of joy she’s feeling for the first time in a long time. Pure freedom.

“So you decided to stay,” a voice interrupts her thoughts. Dahlia looks up from her sketchpad.

She nods and returns to finish a drawing of Vi in the water.

“You’re quite talented,” Kai observes.

“Thanks,” Dahlia murmurs.

He sits quietly and watches as she works.

A few minutes later, she sets down the pad and pencil. “Ready?” She asks with more enthusiasm than she’s feeling.

“Look, if you don’t want to do this . . .” Kai says.

“We made a deal. I’m ready to fulfill my end and surf with you.”

“Cool,” Kai says, taking off his shirt.

Up close, Dahlia can see every well-defined muscle of his chest and abs. She swallows and looks out at the waves, trying to contain the fire that’s beginning to grow inside her.

She fastens the leash to her right ankle. “This better be worth it,” Dahlia says, following him into the water.

Kai smiles back. “It always is.”

“You’re not tired yet?” Kai calls out.

Dahlia shakes her head as she paddles toward him, stopping on his left. “I could do this for hours.”

“This coming from the woman who said she doesn’t surf anymore.” Kai smiles. “That roundhouse carve you did was pretty epic. Where’d you learn to surf like that?”

Dahlia sits up and runs her hand along the rail. “Spent some time with a pro.” Saying those words aloud doesn’t sound right to Dahlia. Of course her time with Shane was more than that, but how can she encapsulate those years with him? There were too many highs and lows when they were younger. Then, when they finally found their way back to each other, their time was cut short. It was as if they were never meant for more than that.

Kai nods, allowing silence to fall between them. Normally, it would make Dahlia uncomfortable, but she doesn’t feel that way with him. Like Shane, he seems to know when to give her room to breathe.
Like Shane
. . .

Finally she says, “It’s getting pretty flat-faced out here, but I see a newly-formed little right.” Dahlia begins to paddle away, Kai close behind.

“I give in,” Kai announces, catching one final wave. “I’m out.”

Dahlia comes out of the water laughing and drops the board on the sand next to him. “I thought I’m supposed to be the one who’s out of shape.”

“Yeah well, girls and endurance. I’ve heard your kind have super human strength.” He smiles but doesn’t open his eyes.

“Are you hoping I’d forget our deal?”

Kai turns his head to look at her, his eyes squinting from the bright sun. “Nah.”

“So?” She prompts.

“So?” He replies. The warning look from Dahlia makes him sit up. “Alright. Fine. Just to be clear, this is her thing, and just because she’s a legend around these islands doesn’t make her infallible. Got that?”

Dahlia nods. “But you believe in whatever voodoo thing she does.”

He shrugs. “Well, yeah, but it’s because she helped me when I was going through some major shit.”

“Like what?” Dahlia almost forgets they’re supposed to be talking about her.

“No dice, babe. This is about you, remember?”

“Fine then. Start from the beginning,” Dahlia instructs.