“Don’t I know it. But, honey, if Candy is into him, the whole world will want that man in their bed.”
Before I can respond—and it’s probably for the best, since I’m not sure my response would be fit for public consumption—Koa appears at my side, looking as if he’s just escaped from something unpleasant.
“Everything under control here?” he asks while his eyes scan the crowd with a bone-tired wariness only the past few homicides could provide. He’s so achingly handsome, I’m half moved to drag him to the nearest lava rocks and have my way with him.
“Just discussing cultural sensitivity,” I sniff. “You know, the importance of respecting indigenous traditions versus maximizing social media engagement.”
Koa’s jaw ticks in a way that suggests he has opinions about people who treat Hawaiian culture like a photo backdrop. He takes a moment to frown at the woman before us. “I see.”
Alana frowns back as she comes to the realization she’s lost her audience. “I should check on the photographer setup for tomorrow’s shots,” she says, already moving away. “We’ll continue this conversation later, Ms. Delulu.”
“It’s De-Julep,” I shout after her, but the woman is already gone. “Speaking of delulu—as indelusional—they all are.”
Koa shakes his head. “That woman is colder than shave ice.”
“That’s exactly what Ruby said about her.”
“That’s because Ruby is a smart woman.”
“Is it wrong that I’m craving shave ice now?”
His brows arch a notch. “I was hoping you were craving something else.”
Heat floods my cheeks, and I bite down on a smile. “Detective Hale, are you flirting with me?”
“That depends.” His eyes hold mine, and every last bit of me melts on cue. “Is it working?”
“Maybe.” I cross my arms, trying to look unaffected while my pulse does the hula. “Though your timing could use work. My ex-husband is literally fifty feet away.”
“I noticed.” His jaw tightens slightly. “Hard to miss him hovering around you like a territorial terrier.”
“A terrier?” I can’t help but laugh as the waves slam against the shoreline. “That’s the best you’ve got?”
“Would you prefer I compare him to a chihuahua? Because that also works.”
“Stop making me like you more.”
His mouth twists. “Why would I do that?”
“Because—” I gesture vaguely at the chaos around us. “—wedding week.Drama. Not to mention the dead bodies that will inevitably show up because that’s my specialty now.” I jest. A little.
“Fair point.” He steps slightly closer, close enough that I catch the scent of ocean salt and something woodsy. Thepalm trees sway in our direction like they’re trying to eavesdrop. “Though I should mention that watching you handle chaos is becoming my favorite pastime.”
A laugh catches in my throat. “You have terrible taste in entertainment.”
“Or excellent taste in women who can solve a murder in flip-flops.”
I press my lips together. “That was one time.”
“Two, if we’re counting.”
“We’re not counting.” I poke his chest, which is a mistake because it’s solid and warm, and now I’m thinking about things I shouldn’t be thinking about with my ex-husband’s wedding party twenty yards away. On second thought, it’s exactly where my mind should be. “And you’re distracting me from my professional responsibilities.”
In the very best way, and he knows it.
“Your professional responsibility right now is hosting your ex’s wedding.” His voice drops a notch. “I’m offering a much better distraction.”
Amen to that.
