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She had a heart as big as the ocean, and he was grateful that she considered him a friend.

“Don’t push yourself too much,” she gave him a nod. “See him when you’re ready. With his sister in town fussing over him and Maile threatening to kick his ass if he becomes a big baby, he’s got his hands full.”

“That’s good.” He nodded. “It’ll take the two of them to get him to listen to reason.

Buck took a long, slow sip of his beer.

“How are you doing?”

It took a moment for him to lower the cup from his lips.

He took the time to try and cobble together an answer for her, but he didn’t know what to say.

What would she think if he told her he was considering taking an early out?

Just the thought of it twisted in his gut.

“‘Wehi!”

The bright call came from the other side of the room.

Kawehi lifted her head to look across the room, her hand touching his shoulder with a comforting touch.

He turned to see who he owed a debt of gratitude to, and he felt like he’d been bowled over in surprise.

He looked past the woman crossing the room to greet Kawehi with a big, enthusiastic hug and saw the woman he’d wanted to see all along.

“Mari.”

He stood up and almost dropped the glass from his hand, managing to set it down without spilling a drop.

He didn’t think she’d seen him yet and he was glad.

More than he’d like to admit.

He needed a moment to compose himself.

A moment to breathe and steady himself.

He watched as Mari was introduced to Kawehi and getting a big hug in greeting.

Mari looked a little taken aback at the gesture.

Kawehi took Mari by the arm and turned, walking her toward the counter.

Walking her toward him.

He had a second to pull himself together and then she looked right at him.

The shock he saw on her face made him smile, just a little.

Kawehi caught on to the energy in the room, turning to look at him first and then back at Mari.

With a big smile on her face she folded her arms across her chest. “You two know each other.”

Buck lifted a hand and rubbed his fingertips across the back of his neck and Mari blushed and looked away as her teeth bit down into her bottom lip.

He wanted to kiss her.