Hawaiian Masquerade (Destination Billionaire Romance) (8 page)

L
exi and Gracie
arrived in Hanapepe about seven-thirty—Derek knew the moment she walked onto the street like a beacon calling to his heart. From across the way, he could see her sunlit hair under the booth lights. It fell across her back in soft waves tonight, and her dress flowed to her ankles. He thought about her hot-pink toenails and wondered if she’d switched colors. Man, he was really losing it if he was thinking about a chick’s toenails. Lexi looked up at that moment and caught his eye. She started to wave, then looked at her hand and folded down her three middle fingers. Laughing, she flashed him the hang-ten sign. He waved back, and when she turned to her friend, he wiped his face to smooth out his goofy grin.

He had a few minutes to check his display before they came down the street to his booth. He noted that Lexi was guiding her friend along some of the other booths, probably taking her time while he sold a few more photos. Derek grinned. He hadn’t quite lost the bet yet, but he’d never been so happy to lose before. The streets were busy tonight, and he’d already sold twenty-six photographs. The woven frames Kima had made were almost gone. That warmed his heart more than the excitement of money for himself. Finances were tight for Pika’s family, too. If Derek could help Kima get away from selling coconuts for a few hours and rest her back, he would double his order of hand-woven frames and find a way to sell them.

Just before Lexi and her friend got to his booth, a couple purchased over a hundred dollars in photographs, including an enlarged version of the kissing sea turtles. Lexi beamed at him, and he didn’t even try to tame his grin after the couple left and he tucked the money away.

“Aloha! I think you must be my good luck charm. I haven’t sold this many photos at art night before.”

“Really?” Lexi bounced up on her toes. “Does that mean I won?”

“I’ll have to check the inventory first,” Derek said.

“I should introduce you to my friend, Gracie Cardulo.” Lexi motioned to the dark-haired woman with deep brown eyes beside her. “Gracie, this is Derek Mitchell.”

Derek shook her hand, wishing he had a reason to grab Lexi’s hand, also. But they stood on one side of the table and he on the other. “I hope you’re having a nice visit. Kauai is the isle of wonders.”

“Is that what they call it?” Gracie said, glancing at Lexi.

“No, that’s what I call it,” Derek said.

Lexi laughed, and Derek liked the way her energy seemed to flow through him, causing a spark that lit the embers of every thought he’d had of her over the past week. She studied him with a confident stance and that gorgeous smile. Derek wondered if she could feel the spark, too.

“These photos really are fantastic. Where’s this one from? It’s not here in Kauai, is it?” Gracie asked. The question jolted Derek back to the present, and he tore his eyes from Lexi to the stacks of photos in bins on the table. Gracie held out a panoramic view of Waimea Canyon.

“It is. That’s Waimea Canyon on the west side of the island.”

Gracie looked again, shaking her head. “No way, it looks like southern Utah. Well, this is much greener.” She turned to Lexi. “I need to see this place.”

Lexi nodded. “It’s on my list of places to visit, so let’s bump it up to the top.”

Derek watched the exchange, wishing he could think of a clever way to offer himself as a tour guide. He didn’t want to come across as desperate, but he desperately wanted to be with Lexi when she saw the canyon.

“Maybe we should ask the guy who took the picture for directions,” Gracie said.

Lexi turned to him, and Derek’s mouth went dry. Suddenly he was seventeen and tongue-tied. He swallowed. “You can go from the beach to this in about a half hour.” He pointed at the picture Gracie held and took a leap. “I can show you where I took that picture.”

“Tomorrow?” Gracie asked. Lexi nudged her friend, but Gracie ignored her.

“I’m chopping coconuts with Pika again, but if I get off early we could get there in time to take some shots and make it to the fish fry before the sun sets.”

Lexi nodded. “That would be fun.”

Gracie put a hand on her arm. “Wait, what about your date?” She pointed from Lexi to Derek. “Don’t you owe her mahi-mahi? Or was it sushi?”

They all looked at the table, which displayed various sizes of pictures packaged in cellophane amidst the few framed photos he had left. It had been a very good night for sales, the kind of night that gave him hope and fueled his dreams. A buzz of adrenaline ran through Derek’s fingers as he sorted through the photos. Then he caught sight of one of Kima’s woven frames. His stomach dropped like a rock. Normally he wanted to win every bet he took, but losing this one had specific perks—like Kima’s fish fry that he wanted to share with Lexi. He’d been looking forward to taking Lexi out, and now one photo was going to mess up his plans.

“There’s one left.” Derek slid a photo of the two sea turtles out from under an older picture. He tilted his head and tried to smile naturally.

“Wait a minute! You cheated,” Gracie said. She took the image from Derek. “He hid it.”

“No way. I always play fair,” Derek said. “Look at my table. People have been pawing through these all night.”

Lexi took the photo from Gracie, ignoring the lighthearted accusations between the two. She traced one of her slender fingers along the bumpy palm leaves and lifted her eyes to his. He was struck again by the vivid green color and hoped he’d have a chance to photograph her soon.

“Excuse me, sir?” Lexi held up the photo. “I’d like to purchase this illuminating piece on the story of true love. These two turtles seem to have it figured out.”

“Wait, isn’t that cheating too?” Gracie stage-whispered. Apparently Gracie’s sense of fairness did not play favorites, and Derek liked her all the more for it.

Lexi elbowed her friend. The photo was an eight-by-ten and he’d marked it for forty-seven dollars because of the frame. “It’s not cheating if I give it to you. Ma’am, I insist that you take this photo, because you are the only one tonight who truly recognized its beauty and meaning.” Derek felt like he was walking along the edge of Waimea Canyon, holding his heart over the abyss.

Lexi shook her head and opened her purse. “I thank you, kind sir, but that would definitely be against the rules.” She took out several bills and some change, counting out to forty-seven dollars.

“No, I can’t accept that,” Derek said, waving away her money.

Lexi grabbed his wrist. “Did I ever mention that I don’t like losing? And if you don’t let me buy this photo, you’ll win.” She grinned and dropped the money in his hand. “Oh, and here’s a tip.” She dropped an extra quarter in his palm and winked.

Derek shook his head, but Lexi pushed his hand back and lifted the frame up. “I really do love this shot.”

He chewed on his bottom lip, debating between arguing more with the beautiful woman in front of him and celebrating that he’d be taking her out on a date very soon. He decided not to be a sore loser. Thoughts of Kima’s fish fry had been roasting his brain all week. “There’s a fish fry Saturday night near my friend Pika’s house. I’d love to take you, and I hope you’ll bring Gracie along.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to intrude on your date. I can catch up on my reading,” Gracie said.

Derek shook his head. “I insist that you come so that Pika will have someone to gawk at besides Lexi.”

Both girls laughed, and Lexi’s cheeks flushed with a dark pink that made the back of Derek’s neck warm. Lexi tucked her photo into the canvas bag she carried. “I think that sounds wonderful. Would that be after the tour of Waimea Canyon?”

“Yes, at sunset.” Luck was definitely on his side tonight. He’d come hoping to sell enough paintings to get a date with Lexi, and instead of just dinner, he’d be spending the entire afternoon and evening with her.

A cluster of shoppers headed toward Derek’s booth, and he was torn between trying to sell more photos and continuing to flirt with Lexi. She noticed the people and adjusted the straps on her bag. “I wanted to show Gracie a few more shops. Call me tomorrow, okay?”

“I will.” He lifted his hand in a wave. “It was nice meeting you, Gracie.”

“Aloha,” Gracie and Lexi said simultaneously as they turned to leave.

The two women had their heads bent towards each other as they walked away. Derek would’ve given an entire truck of chopped coconuts to hear what they were saying. Instead, he turned his attention to the tourists in front of him. After four out of the six people bought photographs, he wasn’t sure if the night could get any better. He tucked more money away, excited about figuring out his profits later.

When he lifted his head, he caught sight of Lexi and Gracie across the street. As if she could feel his gaze, Lexi turned her head and paused mid-stride. The warmth of her smile brightened her eyes, and she lifted her hand, wiggling her fingers in a little wave. Derek flashed her the hang-ten sign and grinned. Maybe the night would just keep getting better.

“
C
an
we stop by that bookstore?” Gracie asked right after she caught Lexi waving at Derek. “I read about it on the flight over. They have a lot of used books, and I need more reading material.”

Lexi refocused on her friend and commanded her heart to return to a normal cadence. “My Kindle is overloaded. I can lend you just about anything your heart desires. Have you read the new one by Lucy McConnell?”

“Which one?
The Reclusive Billionaire
or
The Protective Groom
? ’Cause I finished those the day they came out.”

“You always were a bookworm,” Lexi said. “Okay, we’d better check it out.”

They walked down to the end of the street toward Talk Story. Lexi noticed the faded yellow paint on one of the shops and the houses down the street with broken shutters, sagging roofs, and peeling paint. She remembered what Derek had said about people in Hanapepe living the real island life. Derek lived a few blocks from this street. As soon as Derek stepped foot in her home, he would know she had money. Lexi frowned at yet another roadblock in their potential relationship, which would have to move slower than a sea turtle out of water.

“Now this looks like fun.” Gracie stopped in front of the bookstore and studied the flyer taped to the window.

“What is it?”

“A masquerade benefit for refugees.” Gracie tapped the flyer. “Look, they’ll have Kauai’s most eligible bachelors up for auction.”

“It doesn’t seem like something you’d see on Kauai—more like New York.” Lexi scrunched her nose. “Still, it might be interesting to see who they bring in.”

“It’s not for another two weeks, so unfortunately I can’t go shopping. But you could.” Gracie waggled her eyebrows.

Lexi shook her head. “I don’t think Derek will be up for auction.” The information on the poster included a price tag of two hundred fifty dollars per ticket, so the event would only include those with enough money to make a difference in the relief effort. Lexi had been paying attention to the worldwide tally of refugees continually displaced and fleeing their homelands. She wanted to help. “It is a masquerade ball, though. If I was sure no one would recognize me later, I might chance it for that cause. An anonymous donation might be safer, though.”

“So you’re pretty into him, then?” Lexi asked. “I’d put him at eight-point-five on the hotness meter, and he seemed really nice, too.”

“He’s at least a nine. Didn’t you notice his eyes?”

“Nope, not his eyes.” Gracie giggled, and Lexi shook her head as they entered the bookstore.

They checked out some of the new titles on the front display table and then browsed the stacks of used books on shelves lining the walls. Lexi picked up a large book containing five different stories. The title,
Christmas Kisses
, caught her eye because she wondered what it would be like to spend her first Christmas in Kauai. How did Derek celebrate the holiday on this tropical island? Lexi smiled and hugged the book to her chest.

“Daydreaming about kissing Derek?” Gracie pointed to the novel and raised an eyebrow at Lexi. “Maybe I should play sick tomorrow. I don’t want to ruin the possibilities.”

“No way. Derek was serious about Pika. He’s Hawaiian and very friendly. You need to at least rate him on the hotness scale before you think about bailing out. Besides, you were my friend before Derek. This is your time, too.”

Gracie nodded. “Thanks, Lex. That’s what I love about you. No one ever feels forgotten when they’re with you.”

Lexi thought about that while they browsed the shelves for the next fifteen minutes. There’d been many times over the past few years when she felt like she’d forgotten who she was. Remnants of Lexi Burke before her parents’ death floated just out of reach, like a butterfly with silver wings darting between the clouds. If she could grab hold of that part of her, maybe she wouldn’t feel lost anymore.

Each of the women purchased books, both new and old, and walked back out into the hubbub. A band down the street played Hawaiian music with ukuleles and steel drums. The light beat and cheerful timbre sounded almost like the ocean breeze playing with the vines of exotic flowers trailing from the trees. Lexi breathed in deeply, enjoying the tang of ocean, barbeque, flowers, and something else that reminded her of Derek. A magnetic force seemed to pull her toward him, as if every cell in her body craved his presence.

“Are we going to stop by and see Derek again?” Gracie asked playfully, noting the direction Lexi was walking.

Lexi scanned the area, noting the cluster of people around his booth. The Fuse logo swayed in the slight breeze, and the strand of lights above the nearby shop twinkled. “It looks like he’s busy, and I don’t want to be clingy.”

“Hmm, you didn’t seem pushy earlier,” Gracie said. “If it weren’t for me, I don’t know if you’d even have a date tomorrow.”

“I would’ve mentioned it. I just wanted to give him a chance.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just go up to him right now and say,
Hey, in case you didn’t know, I really like you and I want to kiss your face.
”

Lexi pushed Gracie off the sidewalk playfully. She hurried toward her car with Gracie laughing behind her. Lexi shook her head. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

On the drive home, Lexi thought about the masquerade ball and how she was already wearing a mask of secrets every time she saw Derek. Gracie helped her unload the car, and then they sat on the living room sofa, thumbing through their books and talking.

“So, have you decided what you want to do yet?” Lexi asked.

“About ballet?” Gracie pursed her lips. “I’m thinking, but I can tell that you’re thinking pretty hard about how much that forty-seven dollars meant to Derek tonight.” She glanced at Lexi. “That’s like tissue paper to you.”

Lexi chuckled. “You know that’s not true. I’ve never been a spendthrift, but yeah.” She ran her finger along the spine of her book. “I need to tell him before things get too complicated.”

“Lex, isn’t tomorrow your first official date?” Gracie asked.

“Officially, but to me it’s a third date. Derek has treated me better than lots of guys I’ve dated over the past few years.”

“And you’re sure that you being a multimillionaire will be a deal-breaker for him?”

Lexi’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t know, but from what I’ve seen, my chances aren’t good.”

“Relax. If the timing seems right, spill. If not, keep those pretty little lips sealed. No use letting the cat out of the bag to roam the whole island.”

Lexi had a distinct image of Mango the yellow tomcat roaming the rocky beach off the hiking trail. She smiled. “Okay, you have a point. Now let’s talk about you.”

Gracie leaned back on the couch. “Or we could just escape into one of these books.”

“Have you ever wondered if our jobs became a sort of escape from facing the reality of life?”

Gracie looked up at the ceiling. “Hmm, I can see how that might elicit a healthy debate for some. But I’ve loved my job. Ballet hasn’t really felt like a job until the last few years. I love performing, but it’s not as fun as it used to be.”

“It’s interesting that you’re facing the same dilemma as your best friend, right?”

“I thought of that on the flight over. You walked away from everything.” Gracie sat up and massaged the back of her neck. “I don’t know if I have that kind of courage.”

Or money.
Lexi bit back the words because they didn’t sound right, but if she could say them, Gracie would know that Lexi didn’t have as much courage as her friend. If it weren’t for a seemingly unending bankroll, Lexi would’ve never left the security of her job. It brought Gracie’s problem into a clearer perspective and offered a possible solution at the same time.

“All you have to do is a little visualization exercise,” Lexi said. “Imagine that money is of no concern—it doesn’t even exist. What would you do right now if money had no factoring in your decision?”

Gracie looked down at her feet. She pointed her toes and stretched her foot back. Lexi knew that Gracie was financially savvy and careful with her money. She was in a better position than most to take a leap of faith and change her life. Lexi also admired the strength that her friend did have to stop in her path and examine her life. Gracie licked her lips. “I’ve thought about taking some time off, but that’s just a cowardly way of saying that maybe I’m ready to quit because everyone knows if a dancer leaves the stage, they aren’t likely to find their way back.”

“I don’t know if you should call it quitting. You’ve worked for half your life. Maybe early retirement?”

One corner of Gracie’s mouth turned up. “I’m just worried that if I walk away, I’ll lose myself, my purpose. Who am I outside of pointe shoes?”

Lexi put her arm around Gracie and hugged her friend. “You’re Gracie Cardulo, the most extraordinary friend a girl could ask for—in or out of toe shoes.”

Gracie hugged her back. “Thanks.” She sighed and leaned back against the couch again. “There’s still time to decide.”

They sat in a contented silence, and Lexi mulled over her thoughts—the ones that included Derek’s handsome face. How much time did she have to decide whether the truth could be shared?