Page 70 of Catch a Wave
“Want to do both?” I offer.
“No.” Kalaine softly shakes her head. “Not now that I’m already here with you.” Her arms loop around my neck, and she says, “Kiss me, Bodhi.”
I’ve teased her ever since that first date for being the one who demanded a kiss from me. As if I wasn’t going to make sure I kissed her that night, and any chance I got after that.
“Why don’t you kiss me?” I tease.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Kalaine stands on tiptoes. When our mouths finally connect, I’m home. I run my hand down her hair. A hibiscus flower is tucked behind one ear but the rest falls down her back in long, full waves. Kalaine grips the back of my neck like she’s trying to keep me in Hawaii and never let me return to the mainland. My hands rest on her hips, holding her with equal intensity and need. This kiss is better than riding the winter breaks at Point Conception. She’s exhilarating, a rush, consuming. And our kiss is about to move fromWelcome to Hawaiitocover your children’s eyes, so I pull away, brushing one last soft kiss across her lips. Kalaine looks up at me and then she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest.
The luggage starts to drop, so I reluctantly release Kalaine to collect my bag and my board. She grabs my duffle from me so I can carry my board more efficiently.
On our way out the sliding glass doors, Kalaine spontaneously twirls, her head tilted back, the arm not gripping my bag outstretched. It’s like the scene in that old movie,The Sound of Music. Kalaine’s completely unconcerned with anyone watching her. And people are, of course, stopping to stare at the beautiful Hawaiian woman spinning in the middle of anairport like she’s got exactly zero cares in the world. Her bliss is contagious. And addictive. I can’t get enough of her.
After nine weeks of nearly constant time together in Bali, Kalaine and I have only seen one another once for the Mobile Gold Coast Pro event back in May in Queensland. Since then, it’s been four months of not seeing one another face-to-face. Four months trying to exist on the poor substitute of video chats, phone calls, and texting. No touching her, no holding her, no hanging out together on the beach. Long distance sucks. It’s something I plan to fix as soon as I’m able. Living miles away from Mavs only did me one favor. It showed me she’s the most important person in my life now. I’ve had time and perspective to convince myself of what I really want with her.
I’m not the type to settle down. As a child of divorce, I know it’s natural I’d be gun shy. But no matter my circumstances, I was born with the spirit of a nomad. My mother always said that. She’d say, “Bodhi, you’re going to leave me one day to go explore the world, and I’d be cruel to stop you.” Mom’s the only thing keeping me tethered to California. But she’s met Mavs over some video chats, and more importantly, she’s witnessed me falling hard for the beauty walking out the doors ahead of me right now.
Kalaine slows to allow me to catch up with her. She smiles up at me and all’s right in the world.
Two wild chickens strut on the ground between us, pecking at random things on the sidewalk.
I look down at Kalaine. She’s gotten even more beautiful over the past four months. How is that even possible?
“How did I ever stay away from you for four months? You’re like the sun.”
“Hot?” She wags her eyebrows at me and winks.
“So hot. And I think you’ve also become my center of gravity.”
Kalaine stops right on the sidewalk between the terminal and the street, while passengers and locals shuffle past us. She leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. “I like that.”
“I love … it.” I nearly spill all my feelings for her right on the spot.
The words have been on the tip of my tongue a hundred times. More like thousands. But I want to say them when the time is right, not over a phone call. And not the second I land for this visit. I’ll find the right time.
But leave it up to Kalaine, my free-spirited, light-hearted girl. She looks up into my eyes and her voice softens. “Me too, Bodhi. I love it. I love you.”
She says it so easily I almost miss it.
Is it too soon to feel this much?
I never knew love could be so wholly consuming. The only other thing on earth that ever gripped me—mind, body, and soul—has been surfing. I’ve given my life to it, regularly risked my life for the biggest and best waves on the planet. Now, I’d give all that up just to know I could have her. Thankfully, I don’t have to choose. I can be a pro surfer and have the love of the most intriguing, delightful, beautiful woman on earth.
When I look at her, there’s no doubt. “I love you too, Mavs … Kalaine. I love you.”
“I know you do.” She smiles that full smile of hers—the one where her whole face gets in on the action—and then she grabs my hand and drags me further into the balmy Hawaiian air.
“Aloha, Bodhi.” She smiles up at me. “Welcome to Hawaii.”
“Aloha, love.” I kiss her on the forehead and wrap my free arm around her, shifting so I can still tote my board in the other. Then I look toward the parking spaces across the airport street to see my best friend standing on the driver’s side of a Jeep staring at the two of us with a pensive expression on his face.
When we approach Kai, he smiles warmly at me.
“Hey, dude! Glad you made it. Welcome back to Hawaii.”
“It’s good to be here.”
