Annie rubbed the moisture from her face. “I hope you’re right. But I’m terrified.” She hesitated. How would Fawn react to her news? She’d had a crush on Tomi as big as Annie’s on Mano. Annie should have told her sooner. “Fawn, I have something to tell you. It’s wonderful news, but it’s hard to grasp.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Tomi. He’s alive.”
“What?” Fawn’s fingers squeezed hers. “Tomi? What are you saying?”
“That’s why Mano came. He said Tomi had called him. Tomi called me a few days later, and we met yesterday. He’s in some kind of trouble and wanted everyone to think he was dead.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? You know I—” She broke off, and her face drained of color. “He’s alive?” she breathed. Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe it. What happened?”
Annie didn’t want to tell Fawn about the Iranian girl or that her brother was mixed up in espionage. She tried to sugarcoat it. “I don’t really know everything. It has something to do with the Iranians. They want him to spy for them.” Her lips trembled.
Fawn gasped. “Tomi wouldn’t do that!”
Annie was going to have to tell her the whole story. She sighed and launched into the saga about how he’d been shot and taken by the Iranians. “He’s trying to get out of the mess, but I don’t see how he’s going to do it.”
“He must have really loved this girl.” Fawn’s voice was low.
“I think he did. I’m sorry.” She laid her hand on Fawn’s.
Fawn gave her a sad smile. “It’s not your fault, Annie. It’s not anyone’s fault. Tomi never had eyes for me. I tried my best, but he never gave me a second look, and I learned to live with that. Maybe Mano can help him.”
Annie’s fingers tightened on hers. “Maybe.”
Fawn recovered her composure. “Mano’s appearance hasn’t helped your state of mind, I bet.”
Heat rushed up Annie’s neck. “I don’t want to talk about Mano.”
“You never do. You’ve loved him for years, Annie. Fight for him this time. Quit standing on the sidelines and make him notice you.”
“That approach didn’t exactly work for you.” The words were out before she could think. She saw the way Fawn recoiled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”
“But at least I tried, Annie. I did everything I could. At least I’ll never have to wonder what might have been if I’d given it my all. You have to fight for him.”
“I can never compete with Leilani. I wouldn’t want to.” She was such a liar. Everything in her longed to compete. And win. But she knew better than to try. Leilani always won. Even if Leilani weren’t in the running, Annie just wasn’t the kind of woman men noticed.
Fawn glanced at Annie’s feet. “Your feet are as flashy as a parrot, but the rest of you is as colorless as a mynah. I’ve wanted to take you in hand for years and dress you in the bright colors your dark hair and eyes beg for. Now is the time. Don’t let this opportunity slip away to have what you want.”
Annie hated wearing boots all the time. Her feet had been her one vanity. Her mother used to tell her she had pretty feet. They weren’t pretty any more. No part of her had beauty now. “I don’t want to attract a man by being something I’m not. I want someone to love me for myself, not for the way I dress or the makeup I wear.”
Fawn’s frown softened. “Don’t we all? But men are visual creatures. You have to get them to look at the exterior first, and then they’ll see the interior.”
“No thanks.” Annie began to pull on her wetsuit. “Let’s get this over with. I have to help my brother out of this mess.”
“You are so stubborn.” Fawn sounded resigned. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” She sat on a lava rock beside Annie and began to pull on her wetsuit too. “So what are we doing today?”
“Gina wants some readings from Loihi seamount while we have Nani here. A recent swarm of earthquakes was centered out there. More than any Hawaiian volcano in recorded history.” The women put on their reef shoes and went to the dock to wait on Jillian and the boat.
Annie’s cell phone rang, and she pulled it out of her bag.
“Annie, it’s me.” Her brother’s voice sounded strained. “I wondered if you found Father last night.”
“Tomi. You’re okay!” She didn’t think she could have stood losing him when they’d just found him. Beside her, Fawn’s movements stilled, and she turned her gaze on Annie as she listened. Annie wished she could shake Tomi and wake him up to what he was missing. “Father’s fine. He was down by the water.”
“Did he say what happened?”
“The men said they would kill all of us if you didn’t do what they wanted.” There was no answer on the other end. “Tomi, did you hear me?”
“I heard.” His voice sounded deadpan. “I don’t know what to do, Annie.”
“We’ll figure it out. Come home. We can talk about it tonight.”
“No. I won’t bring danger to your doorstep. I’ll be in touch.”
The phone clicked in her ear, and she put it away as the sound of the boat’s engine neared. “That was Tomi.”
“So I gathered,” Fawn said. “Is he coming home tonight?”