§ § § -- January 24, 1998
As always, there were many happy faces at the luau that evening. Josie arrived about eight-thirty, looking warily around for Devin Reilley, and nearly bumped into someone as a result. Both apologized hastily, then got a good look at each other. Josie gasped. "I thought I said…oh, no, wait a minute, I'm really sorry…I almost chewed you out. I've had a hard time keeping Devin Reilley out of my sight, and you look an awful lot like him."
"That's because I'm his brother Steve," the other man said, laughing. "Don't apologize, I understand. Hey, were you Devin's lunch partner today?"
"Sadly, yes, I was," Josie admitted, and Steve Reilley laughed again.
"If it's any consolation, Devin's been spending the whole evening moping around his hotel suite, wondering how he can get back into your good graces. When my sister and I left the hotel suite, he wasn't sure if he was coming over here, so you might manage to avoid him yet. Good luck."
Josie grinned. "Thanks." Steve watched her blend into the crowd, then shook his head to himself and resumed his efforts to get back to a table where he had left Myeko Sensei a few minutes ago to get drink refills.
As for Myeko herself, she was beaming up at Leslie, who had just stopped by her table. "I can't believe what polar opposites Steve and Devin Reilley are," she was telling Leslie. "Steve's the nicest guy. I wanted to ask him how he puts up with Devin all day, every day, but I mean, the guy's his brother, so…well, you know."
Leslie grinned. "Believe me, Steve isn't too thrilled about his brother's behavior either. Father and I gathered that much when we saw them right after your interview this afternoon. Oh, here he comes. Have a great evening, and don't forget to tell us about it."
"You got it!" Myeko promised happily, and Leslie started away, nodding and smiling at Steve's cheerful greeting as the two passed each other. Steve set down the drinks and let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, dropping into his chair.
"Whew, what a crowd! You weren't kidding when you told me the luau's the most popular event on the island. Do you come to many of these things?" he asked.
"Now and then," said Myeko. "Usually if we come here, it's because we haven't seen Leslie all week and it's our only chance to touch base with her. Leslie and I and a crowd of us have been friends since high school."
Steve nodded. "So you're buddies with Mr. Roarke's assistant, then. That's pretty cool. Hey, listen, I'm really glad you agreed to come here with me this evening. I have to admit, ever since I first saw you when you came over for that interview with Devin, I was determined to get a chance to know you better. Have you always lived here?"
"All my life," said Myeko proudly. "I was born and raised on this island, and I've never lived anywhere else in my life. And I never intend to leave, either."
Steve laughed and remarked, "I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to leave either! Is your family still here?"
Myeko nodded. "My parents are still in the same house I grew up in, and my younger sister Sayuri is an accountant for the pineapple plantation on the other side of the island. I have twin brothers, Taro and Tomi, too, but they live in Samoa, so we hardly ever see them unless they come back for a visit. My parents are talking about taking a trip there as a family—them, my sister, me and my kids."
"Ah, you've got kids," said Steve with interest. "How old are they?"
Myeko's eyes widened with momentary surprise. She'd been worrying all evening, ever since Steve had called and asked her to come to the luau with him, about what kind of reaction he'd have to the knowledge that she was a single mother. This sounded promising. "I have two, a boy and a girl," she told him. "Alexander'll be six the end of March, and Noelle turns four in a couple of weeks or so. Their father lives in Hawaii with his new wife."
"Aha, I see," said Steve, nodding. "My kids are the same ages. My son Zack will be six in the fall, and my daughter Janine was four in December." He smiled at Myeko's astonished look. "I have custody, too. Their mother went head over heels for this Italian actor she met when Devin worked with him on some movie about three years ago—not long after Janine was born, actually—and ran off to live with him in Italy." He took a slug of his drink and cleared his throat. "I've been taking Zack and Janine around the island to various places, but we didn't make it to the amusement park yet, so that's the plan tomorrow."
"Want some company?" Myeko found herself asking. "Alexander and Noelle would love to go back."
"Hey, sounds great," Steve said, brightening. "It's a date. What time?"
They settled on a time for him to come pick up her and the kids, and after that they chatted about one thing or another till the Hawaiian singing group, which performed once a month at the luaus, started their show with a lovely Hawaiian-language melody. Steve said, "Dance?" Myeko nodded immediately, and after that they never left the dance floor.
It might have been about nine when Josie finally caught up with Roarke and Leslie at the buffet table. Leslie was dreamily watching Steve and Myeko dancing, imagining herself and Christian in their place; Roarke was in the midst of an involved discussion with a couple of the natives manning the buffet. "Excuse me…Mr. Roarke? Leslie?" Josie asked tentatively, afraid of cutting in on something important.
"I'm sorry, one moment, please," Roarke said to his employees and turned to Josie, at the same moment Leslie came out of her reverie. "May we help you, Ms. Waring?"
Josie bit her lip and ventured, "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything. I really just wanted to say I was sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Leslie asked.
"You're not interrupting anything at all," Roarke added warmly. "Please don't feel you need to apologize."
"But I think I do," Josie said, sighing. "It's actually about my fantasy. I came here asking not only to meet, but to marry Devin Reilley, and now I know it isn't going to happen. I never should have expected so much from one fantasy."
"The weekend's only half over," Leslie told her. "You never know."
Roarke nodded, a little gleam in his dark eyes. "Leslie is right, Ms. Waring. After all, it has come to our attention that Devin Reilley is very interested in you."
Leslie nodded, a smile beginning to spread over her features. "I can vouch for that personally. I've seen him four times since we first got here, and each time he's asked me if I've seen you around."
"I hope you didn't tell him you saw me," Josie said, looking a little horrified.
"You didn't want him to see you?" Leslie asked. "Gosh, Josie, are you that determined not to let him find you? People can change, you know."
Josie made a face and said doubtfully, "They say leopards never change their spots."
"I've always found that adage quite peculiar, actually," Roarke observed with amusement. "After all, how can one compare an animal, which cannot grasp abstract concepts, to a human being, who can? It's quite true that, literally, a leopard can't change his spots…but Devin Reilley is not a leopard." Smiling, he eyed Josie with meaning just long enough for her to start looking thoughtful; then he suggested, "Try giving Mr. Reilley just one last chance, Ms. Waring. You may be very pleasantly surprised."
"Right. After all," Leslie added whimsically, "even a spoiled-brat matinée idol needs somebody to keep him in line."
Josie gave her a skeptical look, shoved her hands in the pockets of her shorts and stood there for a moment, obviously turning the idea over in her head. "I'm not so sure I want to be that someone anymore," she finally said.
Leslie put her hands on her hips and leaned in a little towards her. "You're a hard nut to crack," she said, her voice lightly stern, laced with a teasing tone. "Doesn't anyone ever get a second chance with you? What would he have to do to soften you up?"
Josie rolled her eyes. "Oh, seriously, Leslie," she scoffed.
"I am serious," Leslie told her, sounding very much so. Roarke watched her with a little grin. "What would make you change your mind about him?"
After loosing a very loud and exasperated huff, Josie said sarcastically, "How about if he takes out a full-page ad in the local newspaper telling everyone what a cad he really is, and apologizing for being the biggest boor in Hollywood history? That might do it."
Roarke and Leslie looked at each other, and Josie's face assumed an expression of satisfaction…until Roarke said with a slight bow, "Your wish is our command."
Josie stared at them in disbelief, wondering if they really were serious. There were stories about this island, after all… She shook her head to herself, snorted quietly, and decided that they were probably just bluffing. They had to be: nobody could possibly make Devin Reilley express that much humility. "I don't believe it for a minute! If you can actually make that arrogant egomaniac apologize exactly the way I just said, then I'll…I'll…well, I'll spend my entire Sunday with that man."
Once more father and daughter exchanged glances, and Josie swore she saw knowing gleams in their eyes before they turned back to her. "In that case, check the paper tomorrow," Leslie said in a friendly tone. "Meantime, have a great evening, and don't forget to try some of the traditional Hawaiian dishes." She and Roarke nodded at their guest and melted into the crowd.
Josie watched them leave, and all of a sudden her stomach began to dance nervously in time with the latest fast-paced tune. She hurriedly departed the luau, trying to convince herself all the way back to her bungalow that not even Roarke could possibly talk Devin Reilley into that ad—even if the man were in love with her!
