Page 35

35

SYLVIE

A she pulled into the tight parking at Ryder’s Poke. Sylvie and Bethany were sitting outside of the small restaurant with their bowls. Amari popped out of a cab shortly after Ashe sat down.

“Amari,” Sylvie announced when she approached their small table.

Bethany looked up, “Amari, I understood you were looking for some poke. This place is humble but it’s one of the best Teddy and I have found.”

“Great, I’m looking forward to it,” Amari replied. She reached out to shake hands with the group assembled her first introduction to just the ladies of the team. She went in to order after dropping her jacket over a chair.

Kailani parked her truck. She looked at the assembled women outside Ryder’s, such a weird mix in her opinion but they seemed all so confident. As she passed by the table, the green-eyed lady took a second look at her.

“I’m sorry,” Sylvie stopped Kailani. “You’re doing work at Tyler’s place, right?”

“What?” Kailani responded.

“Uh, Laulima St. Duplex at the end. Nani’s neighbor.”

“How do you know that?”

“We,” Sylvie motioned to the group of women, “look out for the guys when they’re traveling.”

“I’ve been over there. His place is kind of a mess right now. And I recognize your company’s name.” Sylvie pointed at her work truck.

“Yeah, he wanted more natural gas options.” The group smiled knowingly. “What?”

“He wanted to see you more.”

“That can’t be right,” Kailani wanted to dismiss the thought. “I’m gonna go get my lunch,” she pointed toward the restaurant door.

“Come back and sit with us,” Amari responded.

Kailani disappeared inside.

“We planned to be here. Interesting that the cosmos brought her here too,” Bethany posited. “Did the guys know we were meeting?” Bethany suggested.

The group looked at each other and shook their heads, “No way,” they responded in unison then laughed as Kailani came back out.

Ashe scoot to give Kailani space at the table. “This is the first time we’ve gotten together as a group without the guys. Weird that you picked here today to eat, don’t you think?”

“I guess. It’s got really good poke, and I was in the area for work though. So, coincidence, maybe. And I’m not seeing Tyler.”

“Okay,” Amari broke in. “I’m seeing Harry, or maybe Tech. Bethany is married to Teddy. Sylvie’s engaged to Noah. Ashe is with the Irish giant, Sean. So that leaves Thomas’ story.”

Bethany smiled in Amari’s direction. “Kailani, I’m a stay-at-home mom. Teddy and I have five kids, we’ve been together since before I graduated high school. Sylvie is in the Army, she’s a medic stationed here. Ashe is an EMT and works on island with local EMS. Amari is an interpreter; she gets out and about quite a bit; seems pretty glamorous.”

“Great,” Kailani muttered into her bowl. “Kind of an intimidating group.”

Ashe looked at her, “Not any more than you. Sylvie and I work blue collar like you.” Changing direction, “Are you from Oahu originally?”