"Then why are you fighting with Axl so much?"
"Axl?" Maile lurched away and stared at her. "Him? That's not a Happy Ever After thing!"
Kawehi shrugged her shoulders. "Why not?"
"He's a... He’s a neanderthal! And his Marine name? Whatever they call it. Axl? You know what that is?"
"It's a car thing, right?" Kawehi had no idea.
"It's that little sea creature thing. The Axo- Axal-"
"Axolotl?"
"I don't know how to say it. But it's such a cute animal and he's just a jerk."
"You think he's sexy. I've seen the way you look at him when he can't see you doing it."
Maile looked at her as if she had been betrayed. "Being sexy isn't enough."
Kawehi nodded. "No, it's not. But if you're not looking for Happy Ever After. What's wrong with Happy for Now?"
Maile narrowed her eyes at her. "I take it back. You might be reading too many romance novels."
"Okay. We can talk about this more later-"
"No, we don't have to." Maile rolled her eyes.
"Okay. Okay. So let's get going. I want to hear the Velasco Family play."
Maile went to the sink to wash out the cup and Kawehi put the POG jug back in the refrigerator. She really needed the festival to take her mind off of everything rushing around in her head.
She smiled when Maile hugged her from behind.
"I love you, Cuz."
Kawehi smiled and covered Maile's hands with her own. "I love you right back."
The lineof cars trying to get through to the public parking area was like the line of slugs, it was a pain creeping through the base, but there were Marines in uniform directing the cars, so they weren't going to get lost.
"Oh. My. God. I'm sorry I was late to your house."
Maile leaned her head against the window.
"It's okay," Kawehi smiled to put it in her voice, but she wasn't happy about being late. She was looking forward to seeing Dom. She was hoping that they might get a chance to dance. If they ever got to the festival.
PALLAS
Looking at his phone, he didn't see any messages or missed calls. He blew out a breath and barely resisted the urge to call.
"What are you looking for?"
Pallas looked up and smiled at Buck. "A message from Kawehi. I don't want to miss her when she comes in."
Buck looked at the double lines of people making their way through the discreetly covered metal detectors on their way into the hangar. "It's going to be awhile with this line." He gestured out into the night. "I heard that the guys at the gate say its bumper-to-bumper out there."
Pallas nodded. "I doubt she's going to message me if she's on the road."
"True." Buck shrugged. "You want me to wait with you?"
