35.1 – His Name's Kiko

CARMEN

It had been a month and I was finding life in Hawaii more endearing than I would've imagined. I placed a few more flowers over my brother's grave and smiled a little, knowing just how bad he'd scold me right now for falling in love with a married woman.

Spencer had came to visit me for a week before flying out to New York to help Ashley with the move. I was happy to see those two make it work.

I made my way back to the small house I had been staying at and threw my keys on the small desk right by my door.

"Hey Kiko," I smiled as my new brown lab puppy hopped up on my computer desk chair, "was you a good boy?"

He barked and wagged his tail. I kissed the top of his head and grabbed a bottled water. He followed me, panting and smiling.

"Want to go for a walk?" I asked him and his cute brown ears perked up. I took that as a yes. Putting on his leash, I opened my door and Kiko and I made our way down the worn out beach path that was barely used anymore.

The life was good there. I missed it and Craig, the girl who worked for me, took over the Surf Shop for the summer while I stayed on the island. Spencer called me with progress reviews and still helped out when she could.

I hadn't spoken to Kyla in two weeks. She said she had told Julian about me her third night back. He didn't seem to take it well and it hurt me to know that he laid a hand on her. She made me promise not to fly out there and beat the guy's ass because she was going to be staying with Ashley until the divorce was finalized. That and Ashley had kicked the guy's ass twice as hard.

I officially loved Ashley for that – that and also for the fact that she made Spencer the happiest I've ever seen her.

Two weeks ago Kyla dropped the bomb on me that she was going on three months pregnant and had just found out.

She needed time to sort through things.

And so did I.

I unhooked Kiko's leash and allowed him to run around the abandoned beach. I listened to the waves crash against the shore. It was different here than in LA. Like the ocean talked to me here. They told me life was worth living and every ounce of pain we go through, was there to make us stronger.

Actually, those were words from Spencer's new book she's working on. But the ocean spoke them to her so I can hear them telling me the same thing.

"Kiko, are you hungry?" He ran up to me and pounced, kicking sand my way. I laughed and fell backwards, scratching behind his ears. "I'll take that as a yes."

I got up from the sand and wiped myself off. Just as I was about hook Kiko back up on his leash, he took off towards the rough path. Before I could say his name, breath caught in my throat as I found the most beautiful woman standing there, with a flower tucked neatly behind her ear, kneeling down to pet my puppy.

"Should I be worried that this little guy's a heart stealer?" She asked, rising to her feet slowly. Her loose ankle skirt blew freely in the light breeze, wrapping against her very well shaped legs.

"Kyla…" I breathed and she just smiled, making her way towards me.

"I hope this isn't a disappointment," she blushed somewhat, "me just dropping by the island because I was in the neighborhood."

I smirked at her smartass comment long enough to compose myself. Then there she was, hugging me, her face pressed into the crook of my neck.

"His name's Kiko," I whispered and she pulled back, looking confused. "My dog, his name is Kiko."

"Oh," she smiled and held her arms stilled wrapped around my neck loosely, "well he hasn't occupied all of this, has he?" She held her palm over my heart.

"No," I swallowed, "that's reserved for you."

Kyla grinned and pulled me back into the warmest hug ever. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you," I replied, kissing her bare shoulder and pressed my hand against her stomach, "how are you?"

She pulled back again and looked down at the sand between our feet. "I'm okay," she said quietly, "I lost the baby last week."

"Oh Ky," I breathed and she shook her head.

"I didn't tell you then because I wanted to surprise you and I didn't want anything to taint that," she looked out towards the shore, where Kiko ran back and forth, playing tag with the waves, "but I'm okay."

She could cry on my shoulder if she needed too. I would be her everything and anything.

"Well," I cleared my throat and grabbed her hand, "Kiko and I were about to head home for dinner, join us?"

"I'm starving!" Kyla laughed and cupped my face.

She was about to kiss me.

"No," I whispered and she looked hurt. "You've kissed me every single time," I brushed my thumbs over her lips, "it's my turn." I husked before parting my lips slightly and kissing her.

And boy, did I ever kiss her.

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