The Secret Beau by Annette Mahon

Author:Annette Mahon [Mahon, Annette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780803496637
Google: HtvsoAEACAAJ
Amazon: B00ECD36RK
Barnesnoble: B00ECD36RK
Goodreads: 3167978
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2003-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Kim had a restless night, but she awoke bright and early Monday morning anyway. The bridesmaids had to be there precisely at nine-thirty when Lokelani’s opened, as Stacey had to get a plane at noon; she was expected back at work in Seattle on Tuesday. As it was, she’d have to get most of her sleep on the plane. The whole wedding party would try on their dresses so Crystal could view the entire group together and see if they fulfilled her vision.

Kim talked to herself all the way to Hilo. Her tired brain pulled up whatever she could remember of Psych 101 as she tried to work out the relationship between herself, Henry, and Crystal. During the hour or so she spent in the car, she was determined to find a way to make things right with Crystal. Or at least not let herself feel so bitter toward the happy couple.

She tried to remember every one of Crystal’s good qualities; then she recalled all of Henry’s good and bad points, trying to see if one group would outweigh the other. She’d realized months ago that she and Henry would never have worked out well together. But she forced herself to be brutal. He was a nice man, and good-looking, and they’d had fun together. But he’d always been impulsive, and he had a temper, although it wasn’t volatile.

She let her mind wander back to their first meeting. Her cousin Eddie had brought him to the Malino Christmas party a year ago. He’d told Henry all about Malino and their wonderful party, and when Henry claimed it was too good to be true, Eddie invited him to attend. Eddie introduced Henry to Kim and he’d left with her phone number in his pocket. Amidst her troubled thoughts, Kim had to smile at the irony; now she’d re-met Greg at the town Christmas party.

Kim and Henry spent a lot of time together in the six months following their meeting. Interestingly enough, she and Henry had much more in common than she and Crystal ever had. They both loved the ocean, swimming, and being outdoors. They went snorkeling, spear fishing, and canoe paddling.

Most of all, they’d both been proud of their Hawaiian heritage—the rich mix of cultural backgrounds that prevailed in modern-day Hawaii. They used to spend hours discussing the cultural heritage they would pass along to their children—a unique mix of Asian, Polynesian, and Caucasian. Kim couldn’t help wondering how Henry felt now, as he prepared to marry a rich haole like Crystal, knowing his children would be predominantly Caucasian.

By the time she pulled into the parking lot across from Lokelani’s, Kim felt ready to face Crystal. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Once again she visualized their undergraduate days of easy camaraderie. One last time she reminded herself how certain she was that marriage to Henry would have been a disaster.

Then she opened the car door and stepped outside, smiling at the others already gathered there.

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