Impossible Love

Kai Hale is living the life. 

Tour guide by day.

Playboy by night.

He follows one rule.

Don’t fall for the tourists. 

The plan is easy until this sexy brunette breezes onto the island. 

Suddenly she’s everywhere. 

On his tour. 

On his beach.

In his mind.

Falling for a mainlander is a bad idea. 

But what harm would one date be?

He’s strong enough to let her go.

So he thinks. 

But her vacation offers more than one surprise, and he finds himself deeper than first expected. 

Is his heart strong enough to survive?

Book one in the Unforeseen Destiny series, Impossible Love is a standalone romance. If you like hot, tattooed tour guides, click to meet Kia in this angsty romance with impossible odds.

I TOSS a pair of jeans into my duffle bag and zip it shut. I’ll get by with a small bag for now. Winter clothes are not a necessity where I’m going. My gaze strays to the alarm clock, and the corners of my mouth lift. Eleven-thirty. If I leave by noon, I’ll be back home by two-thirty. That will give me plenty of time to finish packing the summer clothes stored at home. The last final for the semester ended a half-hour ago, and I’m ready for a much-needed break.

“So, when are you leaving?” Staci asks.

I turn to look at my best friend as she waltzes into our dorm room and plops on her bed.

“Soon,” I say as I meander to the pathetic excuse of a closet and grab my favorite Boilermaker sweatshirt. Spinning around, I catch sight of Staci propped up on her elbows. Her head tilts to the side, and she eyes me expectantly. Leaving. Hmm, she must not be asking about my trip home.

“You mean for the vacation?” I break eye contact and toss the sweatshirt by the duffle bag.

“Of course I mean your vacation.”

Her annoyance makes me chuckle, but my mind pictures sunny beaches and flowing greenery. It’s complete bliss until the thirteen-hour flight, and my fear of flying creeps into my thoughts.

“Friday. We fly out early in the morning,” I answer in a whiney tone.

“Don’t you dare complain,” Staci says. “You’ll be fine. Besides, it’s not like you get to relax every semester break in paradise.”

“I know. I know.” I raise my hands in mock surrender. “Flying scares me, though.”

“Please, it’s safer than driving. If my mom gave me an early Christmas present to Kauai, I’d jump around shouting, ‘Yo, Bitches. I’m out of here.’ Instead, I get to go home to my bratty brother and listen to him drone on about this zombie blowing up that zombie. Blah, blah, blah.”

I roll my eyes and grin. “Yuck.”

“I know. He’s a real treat. At least you’ll be able to be on a beach looking at naturally-tanned surfer guys. Ooh, maybe even a hot tour guide to show you around.” The corners of her mouth lift to a devious grin. “Who knows, you may finally get lucky.”

“Seriously? I’ll be there with my mom.”

“What? She’s cool. She’ll let you wander on your own. You could shack up with a local, have a little hana’ma’i,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Oh my God, I can only guess what that means.” I laugh despite the fact I want to die of embarrassment.

“What? I Googled it. You need to know what the term means if you’re going to get it on with a local hottie. You know, speak the same language and all.”

“Whatever. They speak English, and that is so not happening.” I ignore her and unzip my tote bag to add my curling iron. Honestly, I don’t foresee any “hana’ma’i” happening in the near future. Staci means well, and she’s just joking around, but she doesn’t realize how her words affect me. It isn’t like I enjoy being a senior in college, still hanging on to my V-card. And it’s not like I have some deep spiritual meaning to use as an excuse. The right guy hasn’t shown up yet. It’s that simple. Unlike Staci, I can’t have meaningless sex. To me, sex is something intimate shared between two people who care deeply about each other. My view won’t change, no matter how old I am.

“Oh, come on, Kayla,” Staci says. “Don’t overthink and put way too much meaning into it. For the hundredth time, it’s just sex.”

I zip my bag again and give her my “don’t start this conversation” look. We’ve been down this road multiple times. She has a crazy idea I should pick some random dude and get it over with. “Sex isn’t a task to be completed and checked off a list. You know I can’t separate my feelings like that. I want to at least like the guy first.”

“Nah, you’re just too picky,” Staci says.

“No, I’m not. There’s no harm in waiting for a guy you connect with.”

She huffs and shakes her head. “You and your unrealistic expectations.”

I press my lips tight. She doesn’t get it. And I’m not overly picky.

“It’s not my fault the guys I run into only want a quick hook-up. Or the guys that are great boyfriend material emit the friendship vibe.” I waltz to my dresser and pull out my bikini.

“What’s wrong with quick hook-ups?”

I twirl around, exasperated. “Have you not been listening to me?”

“Yeah, but I keep hoping to change ya.”

“Quit trying.” I laugh and throw the swimsuit into my backpack, not admitting what I really want to Staci. She’ll definitely yell at me if she knows I want the fairytale—sonnets and fireworks. That gaze in his eyes ignites the burn deep inside. Ugh. Maybe Staci’s right: I just need to get laid and not overthink it. Sonnets and fireworks never happen in real life, right?

“Besides, I won’t hook up with anyone while on vacation with my mom.”

“Okay, but promise me you’ll have some fun. Drink at least one Mai Tai for me, okay? I won’t be there forcing you to go out.”

I laugh but nod. Staci’s right because her prodding is the only reason I socialize. With my goals set high, I’ve concentrated more on school than finding an unnecessary romance.

“I’ve done some things without your constant pushing, like volleyball.” I used to play back in high school. And I miss it. Purdue has set up nets, allowing me to play a few games for fun.

“Yes, but a few games don’t compensate for your nightlife.”

I nod in agreement. She’s right on that account, too. Instead of the party scene, I’d rather stay home and do something productive, like knitting.

“Oh my God, you’re thinking about knitting, aren’t you?” Staci says as she sits up quickly. “Just stop. You’re not going to a beautiful island to knit.”

“What? I wouldn’t mind cranking out a sweater over break.” I swear she’s a freaking mind reader.

“Lame. You’re not bringing your knitting needles to the beach. Besides, sand will get woven in your string.”

“Yarn,” I correct.

“Whatever. It’ll just be a mess. Have some real fun.” Her voice pitches higher as she throws her hands up in laughter. It doesn’t take long until reality hits, and somberness overcomes our mood. “You know I’ll miss you, right?”

I plop into a round Papasan chair next to the head of my bed. “I’ll miss you, too. And I promise I won’t spend the entire day with my knitting needles. When are you returning to campus?”

“You know me.” She quirks an eyebrow. “The last possible day I can, Sunday, the Twelfth.”

Letting out a breath, I scan the tiny dorm room we’ve shared for almost four years. The cream-colored walls scream for some brightness, but at least my now semi-empty closet appears less messy.

“I can’t believe this may be our last winter break,” I say, glancing back at Staci.

Her eyes glisten as she nods. “Hopefully, we’ll both get into the same Grad program.”

“I hope. Nothing to do now, though, but wait.” I break eye contact before my emotions get the better of me.

We’re both enrolled in the nursing program at Purdue University and will be full-fledged Registered Nurses this spring. We share the same goal of becoming a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner. Purdue has an excellent program we’re both hoping to be accepted into.

“Hey,” a male voice says.

A warm smile erupts when my other best friend, Brian Thames, walks through the doorway. We met during my freshman year in Calculus II. Brian’s a pre-med major with plans to become a pediatrician. He’s super bright and has helped me through some problematic formulations. Since then, we’ve become tight.

“Hey, you made it in time,” I say, straightening in my chair.

“I wouldn’t miss the big send-off.” Brian ignores Staci as he breezes by her. Without hesitation, he settles on my bed and positions himself so his knee rubs against mine.

“When are you heading out?” he asks.

My gaze cuts to Staci. She turns her head, but not before I notice her frown. I suppress a sigh and try to retain a neutral expression. Those guys have never gotten along in the past three and a half years of knowing each other. I’m not sure why. Staci’s never said anything against Brian, but their tension is unmistakable.

“In a few minutes. I’m all done with packing. Are your finals over?” I ask, returning my gaze to Brian.

“No.” He eyes his phone and groans. “I have the last one in a couple of hours. I can’t stay long. I need to cram some more.”

“Yeah, you don’t want to risk your four-point-oh.”

Staci’s mocking tone causes Brian to glare at her. His jaw ticks, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he shifts forward, sliding his hand across my knee and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I wanted to say bye and tell you to have a great time.” His thumb rotates ever so slowly. “I’m going to miss you.”

Unable to move, the deepness of his usually vibrant aquamarine eyes mesmerizes me. This stormy blue color is foreign, and the longer his stare lingers, the more heat creeps along my neck. I’m painfully aware of our proximity. To break eye contact, I shift in my chair and then stand to move away from him.

“I—”

“Please, it’s not like you’ve ever spent winter break together before. What’s the big deal?” Staci asks, interrupting me.

Whatever look Brian gave Staci before is nothing to the death glare she’s receiving now. I’m unsure what her problem is today, but her bitter tone is unnecessary. I should remind her that she spoke those same words minutes before Brian’s arrival.

“Jealous—”

“Okay, you two. Enough,” I say.

Staci’s eyes narrow as Brian let out a frustrated grunt.

“I have to go.” Brian stands and leans in for a hug. I return the gesture and notice Staci jerk her head away, nails biting into her palms.

“Don’t forget to text me while you’re having all this fun,” he whispers close to my ear.

“Okay. I won’t. Remember, though, there’s a six-hour—well, seven for you—time difference. I might be slow at sending them,” I say as he pulls away, his hand sliding down my back.

“I’ll take what I can get.” His deep voice draws my gaze. Our stare holds for a moment before he sighs. “Well, I better go. Be safe.”

“Thanks. I will.”

“Awkward,” Staci sing-songs as soon as the door shuts.

“Save it.” I let out an exasperated sigh and grab my sweatshirt to put it on. “I don’t understand why you hate him so much. He’s a great guy.”

“He annoys me. And it’s so obvious he wants in your pants.”

I pause and peek through the neck hole. “No, he doesn’t.”

“God, Kayla. How could you be so blind? He was practically drooling over himself.”

“We’re just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.” I finish pulling the sweatshirt over my head and wiggle into it. This isn’t the first time someone’s paired us together. Mom has suggested a few times—meaning about a hundred—that we should date. But I don’t feel that way toward him. He’s a great guy. Gorgeous. He stands a couple of inches above my five-foot-seven-inch frame. With well-trimmed, dishwater-blond hair, he always looks professional. Aquamarine eye color that sparkles when he laughs is rather striking. He’d be a great catch for someone other than me.

“Yeah, whatever.”

I frown at her indifference but let it go. “Come here.” I spread my arms for a hug. “I’ll text when I can.”

“Have fun,” she says as she springs up to hug me. “Wish I was going.”

“Me, too.”

I break away from her, and we exchange our goodbyes. Grabbing my bag, I toss it over my shoulder and don’t stop walking until I exit the dorm building. The warmth of the sun encases my body, further enlightening my mood. With the predicted cold front coming in, the weather will turn and remind us all what it’s like to live in the Midwest. It doesn’t matter. I have a month of paradise waiting for me.

I retrieve my sunglasses and slide them on while trudging across campus. Nothing beats the elated feeling I have every time a semester ends. A sense of pride for my school rushes in when I walk past the bell tower. I glance at the clock faces, and my smile widens. I do love my school. There isn’t any other place I’d rather be than here. Well, maybe one other place. I shake my head and continue walking. Ready or not, Kauai, here I come!

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