“It’s tricky.” He leaned past her and fought with the belt buckle.
Rain trickled down his face and dripped on her blue silk blouse. Annie caught a whiff of Hawaiian Surf Cologne, one of her favorite male scents. It made her think of the sun and salt water. The hair at the nape of his neck was thick and straight. She curled her fingers into her lap to keep from touching it. Her brain was filled with bubbles—light and fizzy—and her pulse galloped.
The belt released her. Mano took her hand and helped her out of the car. “Mahalo,” she said, careful to keep her head down. The rain struck her cheek, and she tucked her chin into her collar. She didn’t want him to see the heat in her face. What an idiot she was! Her feelings for him had been so much a part of her for so many years she might never get over him. She thought she had, but she was fooling herself.
Mano’s big hand touched her elbow, and she flinched. She managed a smile and then hurried up the stone steps to the restaurant with his fingers guiding her. The hostess met them at the front door and seated them by the stone fireplace. The room was narrow and filled with so many tables it was hard for the waitress to walk around. Candles on each table cast a soft glow around the room. Annie perused the menu to keep her eyes off the candlelight glinting on Mano’s hair. He was eyeing her over the top of his own menu. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that was rapt admiration in his gaze.
“It’s always so hard to decide what to eat,” she said. “Maybe I’ll get the leg of antelope filet.”
“Ooh, feeling adventurous tonight, huh?” Mano grinned and closed his menu. “I think I’ll get the lamb curry with mango chutney. But I want a taste of yours.”
“As long as you don’t eat it all. I’m hungry.” In truth, she wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite.
Mano ordered for them, then leaned back in his chair. “How did your dive go today?”
Annie told him about the adventure, glad for an excuse to watch him as she talked. He listened to her with the same intensity he applied to everything he did. She wasn’t used to the undivided attention. “Did you ever dive to the volcano?”
He shook his head. “I’ve thought about it but never had the chance.”
“I’ll be going again if you want to come,” she offered.
A smile lit his face. “I’d like that.”
Silence fell between them, but it was the comfortable sort. The hard knots in her shoulders began to soften. Maybe she’d get through this evening without looking like a complete idiot. Or a lovesick teenager. Mano was displaying the graciousness she’d admired in him for years.
The waitress brought their dinner. Mano bent his head to pray, and Annie glanced around to see if anyone was looking, then lowered her head as well. His deep faith made her uncomfortable yet drew her as well. Maybe that was one of the special qualities he had. That same light seemed to be in Fawn. Annie’s own light sometimes couldn’t even illuminate a handful of fireflies.
Annie picked up her fork. The appetizing aroma awakened a hunger she’d thought she could ignore. The door opened, and wind blew the rain onto the floor. A couple rushed in from the pouring rain, and Annie glanced over to see Gina come in with her son slouching along behind her.
Gina stopped at their table while Jason followed the hostess. “I plugged in your data from the dive today, Annie. It’s looking good. The earthquake swarms have increased all day. I think we might be seeing some major activity out there soon. I’d like you to go down again before it gets too dangerous.”
Mano frowned. “It sounds like it already is too dangerous. Annie said there was so much noise down there today that it was hard to think.”
Gina waved her hand in an airy motion. “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it myself. She’ll be fine.”
Annie wanted to point out that Gina took too many chances, but she kept her mouth shut. “I’ll be fine. When do you want us to go?”
“Did you get Jillian’s computer model fixed?”
“That’s the first thing on my agenda for tomorrow.”
“Let me know when that’s done, and we can make plans for the next dive.” Gina hesitated, and her eyes flickered. “Where’s your dad?”
“He went for pizza with Fawn.”
“Isn’t she a little young for him?”
Annie wanted to laugh at Gina’s shocked tone. Gina had gotten a bad bite from the love bug. If she and her father married, where would Annie go? Fawn would be happy to share an apartment, but that wasn’t the Japanese American way. It was more typical for a daughter to stay under her father’s roof until she married. Annie’s role would be upset though. She would no longer be the one to worry about her father’s cholesterol or to fret when Leilani was out too late. That burden would be Gina’s. The thought left her feeling hollow. How would she cope with not being needed by anyone?