I straighten, clearing my throat. Oh boy. Here we go.
“Aloha,” I begin, my voice unnaturally high. I sound like a strangled cat. “Makemake makou i ka mea ?ono loa.”
The server’s smile falters for a moment, confusion flickering across his face. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Could you repeat that?”
I speak slower, enunciating each syllable with painful precision. “Mak-e-mak-e ma-kou i ka me-a ?o-no lo-a.”
Ryder makes a choking sound, his shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter. I shoot him a glare, heat flooding my cheeks.
The server’s brow furrows deeper. “I see,” he says, though it’s clear he doesn’t. “And what would you like that’s delicious?”
I frown, glance at Ryder, andthen back at the server. “Uh...pehea ?oe?”
The server’s eyebrows shoot up. “How...am I?”
Ryder loses it, a deep belly laugh erupting from him. I kick him under the table, which only makes him laugh harder.
“I’m fine, thank you,” the server replies, a smile tugging at his lips. “But I’m not sure that’s something we serve here.”
My face burns hotter than the volcanic rocks on the beach. “No, no, I meant...” I stab my finger at a random item on the menu. “This! We want this!”
The server peers at where I’m pointing. “Ah, the Loco Moco. Excellent choice. And for the gentleman?”
Before I can attempt any more Hawaiian, Ryder jumps in. “I’ll have the Mahi Mahi, please. And a Hawaiian-to-English dictionary for my friend here?”
The server chuckles. “Coming right up.Mahalofor the entertainment.”
As the server walks away, I slump in my chair, mortification washing over me in waves. “That...did not go as planned.”
Ryder reaches across the table, taking my hand. His touch sends a familiar tingle up my arm. “Hey, look at me.”
I raise my eyes.
“That was the cutest thing I’ve seen this entire trip. Thank you.”
I perk up. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely. Though I’m a little concerned about what you ordered.”
As if on cue, the server returns with our dishes. He sets a plate in front of me with a flourish. “Your Loco Moco, ma’am. Enjoy!”
I stare at the monstrosity before me—a hamburger patty drowning in gravy, perched atop a mountain of rice andcrowned with a fried egg. It’s about as far from the romantic dinner I’d envisioned as possible.
“This is...” I trail off, poking at the egg with my fork.
“Loco?”
I shoot him a look that could curdle milk. “I was going to say ‘unexpected,’ but sure, let’s go with loco.”
Ryder digs into his Mahi Mahi, which looks and smells delicious. “Well, dig in, wahine. Don’t let your impressive Hawaiian go to waste.”
I take a tentative bite, my eyes widening in surprise. “Huh. It’s not bad.”
“See? Your Hawaiian might be questionable, but your taste in random menu items is impeccable.”
I grin, some of my swagger returning. “Never doubt me, babe. I always deliver.”
We enjoy our meal, laughing about my linguistic adventure and sharing bites of our dishes. As we finish up, I lean back, patting my stomach.
