Kailua Marines: The Complete Series

Chapter One: Molly

“Enjoy your flight, Ms. Whitman,” the gate agent said, handing my ID and boarding pass back with a smile.

I returned the friendly expression, but my mouth had gone dry. If my life had gone as planned, I’d be working on changing my name to Mrs. Porter. It wouldn’t have been on my ID quite yet, but if my life had happened the way I’d planned, she would have smiled at my new husband, Jason Porter, who would have been standing next to me. She would have told both of us to enjoy our flight. And we would have thanked her before giddily starting our first journey as a married couple. 

Instead, I turned to make my way through LAX’s crowded lobby, Hawaii-bound, alone. Before I could even take a step, I ran into what felt like a wall covered in fabric.

“Ah, excuse me,” the wall—er, man—said, clasping firm hands around my arms to steady me.

I looked up, and the apology I’d been about to offer died on my lips. The most ridiculously unfair set of lashes framed his dark-brown eyes. His full lips were pulled over to one side in a hesitant side-smile. His dark hair was cropped short in a traditional military haircut, which is why it suddenly hit me where I’d met him. He was a Marine stationed in Hawaii.

I’d met him when my celebrity boss had hosted an event at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu in November. Since her husband was a Marine, I’d met quite a few of them over the last few months. The weekend we’d spent at Turtle Bay involved a big Friendsgiving feast, beach time, and a wedding for one of their friends. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but it had only been about two months. I guess that’s what happens when your entire life gets turned upside down.

I saw recognition come over him as he looked me over, too, and he narrowed his eyes in response. “Have we met?”

“We have,” I replied, then glanced down at his hands still holding my upper arms.

He followed my gaze and abruptly let go of me. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry I ran into you.”

“I’m not,” he said with a quirk of his lips. “You’re Molly, right? Paige Walker’s assistant?”

I was grateful he’d whispered that last part so no one overheard. It wasn’t something I liked to advertise, given her level of fame. “Right.”

My stomach did a funny little dance at the idea of him remembering me, but then I cringed inside. That was not something I should care about. I’d been engaged when we’d met, and I was now supposed to be healing from the pain of having been dumped. A handsome Marine remembering me even though we’d barely spoken shouldn’t have made me feel so flattered. But he was looking at me with the same kind of interest that I’d pretended not to notice the day we’d met. And he made it really, really hard not to notice him.

With a start, I paled at the realization I’d totally forgotten his name. There were about a dozen Marines at the resort that weekend, and while I’d personally added them all to the security detail’s visitor list, I couldn’t remember exactly who was who.

“Roman,” he said after a beat, putting a hand on his chest. “Roman Russo. We met at Turtle Bay.”

“Roman, right,” I said. “How are you?”

“Great, thanks. Just heading home from leave. Where are you headed?”

Swallowing, I plastered on a brave face. “Same place as you.”

“Oahu?” He looked around, then leaned in and whispered, “Are Paige and Noah with you?”

Momentarily dazed by his close proximity and the hint of spice in his cologne, I paused, then shook my head. “Ah, no. This isn’t a work thing. It’s a … um … it’s a solo adventure.”

He leaned back and his brows went up in appreciation. “Very cool.”

“I am nothing if not cool,” I lied. Checking my watch, I made an apologetic face. “I actually need to get going so I don’t miss my flight. It was good to see you.”

“Yeah, you too. Have fun on your solo trip.”

I hoped my answering smile looked convincing. As I turned away—watching where I was going this time—I ran through all of the sarcastic replies that I’d almost dumped all over that poor guy.

Oh, I’ll have tons of fun. And I’ll try not to think about my cheating ex.

Or …

Yes, fun. It’ll be super fun to take my honeymoon alone.

Or …

I’ll do my best, but you know, wallowing in self-pity sounds a little more appealing than grabbing life by the horns right now.

Or …

I’ll go to the beach, but I bet I don’t look as good in my bikini as the supermodel my fiancé left me for does.

I could have gone on for days, but my phone buzzed in my back pocket so I fished it out, ready to transition to my professional voice. Relief washed over me when I saw that it was Paige. Just because she was my boss didn’t automatically make this a work call. Instead, it was simply a welcome call from a friend to interrupt my internal wallowing.

“Hey,” I said into the phone.

“Hey, Mol. Did you get through security?”

I looked up at the long line of people in front of me, even in the express line for first-class passengers. “Not yet, I’m in line now so I can’t talk long.”

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t let me charter you a plane.”

I rolled my eyes even though I knew she couldn’t see me. “Girl. First class is more than enough. I love doing the private plane thing when I’m with you, but I don’t need to do it when I’m by myself, too. It would make me feel like a freak.”

“Are you calling me a freak?” she asked through a laugh.

“Yes, for sure.”

“Whatever.”

Paige wasn’t just my famous boss, and I wasn’t just her assistant. We were best friends. The honeymoon-turned-solo trip I was about to take was her wedding present. Even though Jason sucked and we didn’t wind up getting married, Paige was relentless about me taking the trip without him.

This killed me for two reasons. First, ugh—pathetic. Paige saw this as a grand adventure. Taking a solo trip to Hawaii sounded like the ultimate dream trip for relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and getting a tan. What she was forgetting was that she’d booked us the honeymoon package. I was about to be in a ridiculously romantic setting alone, recently dumped for a supermodel. Sounded like less of a dream and more of a nightmare, if you asked me.

The second and probably more important reason I didn’t want to go on this trip was that it was award show season. There was plenty for me to do in LA to help Paige prepare for all of her appearances. Not only that but Paige had the starring role in a hugely popular medical drama, as well as running a new nonprofit for underprivileged youth. Oh, and she was also in the middle of filming her first feature film. Trust me. If I’d had a choice, I would be working, not taking a vacation.

Speaking of work, I looked at my watch. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in a fitting right now?”

“She’s got the dress on as we speak. We’re right on schedule,” Noah, her new husband, chimed in.

“Noah’s holding the phone for me while they hem the bottom,” Paige explained. “He’s been a huge help today. And seriously, Mol, this is probably my favorite gown I’ve ever worn to an awards show.”

“And you look amazing in it. The Oscars will never be the same,” Noah told her. The admiration he had for her practically seeped through the phone.

I cleared my throat and lowered my voice so the other passengers in line wouldn’t hear. “Okay, you two, don’t make me start what was supposed to be my honeymoon by listening to you guys be all cute and in love. That’s just cruel.”

There was a pause at the other end of the line while they must have made pitying faces at each other, then Paige let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m sorry, Molly. I love you! I know what happened with Jason was really hard, but I’m so glad you’re going on this trip without him. You deserve it. But, um, please call me when you get through security.”

“Paige, I’m not going to bail on the trip,” I said. “I’m here. I’m going. I already turned in my bag.”

“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll settle for a text,” she replied. “I just care about you and I hope this vacation will give you the time and space you need to heal from what happened. You haven’t really had that lately with everything going on with me and the movie and the foundation. Take the next three weeks and soak up the sun. Don’t come back until you’re feeling renewed and recharged.”

“You sound like a spa pamphlet,” I deadpanned.

“Molly,” Noah said, “she’s giving the phone the death stare. I think she means business.”

I could picture the look on her face as if I were right there with them, and a genuine smile formed on my lips. “I promise I will attempt to renew and recharge. Whatever that means.”

“If that’s the best I can get, I’ll take it,” Paige said.

We said our goodbyes just in time for me to hand my ID and boarding pass to the TSA agent at the podium. He scanned everything and directed me to the security line without so much as a word of acknowledgment.

I pulled a thin pair of no-show socks out of my carry-on, standing on one foot at a time to put them on, then I placed my favorite Tory Burch sandals into the bin on the conveyer belt.

“Hang on,” a voice said from behind me.

I turned to find Roman loading his backpack and slip-on Vans onto the conveyor belt behind me. I blinked up at him. “Yes?”

“You wore slippers to the airport, but you packed socks to wear through security?”

I looked down at my feet and then at the sandals in my bucket. “Slippers?”

He grinned. “Sorry, hazard of being stationed in Hawaii for almost three years. Flip-flops or sandals are called slippers there. Slippahs, really. If you use the accent.”

“Right. Well, then, yes. I brought socks for going through security. Do you know how dirty these floors must be?”

“Yeah, sure, which is why I wear socks and shoes instead of slippers to the airport.”

I eyed his feet, his toes tapping in his black no-show socks. “I travel light. I only brought slippers on this trip.”

The TSA agent next to the full-body scanner called me over, so I gave Roman a half-wave and went through to the other side. Moments later, he was next to me again as we both collected our belongings from the belt.

“Does that mean you didn’t bring any shoes for hiking?” he asked.

I dropped my sandals on the ground at my feet, removing each sock before stepping into them without letting my bare feet hit the floor. “Nope. I hike with Paige, but it’s more of her thing than mine. I’m what you would call indoorsy.”

Roman wrinkled his nose. “Oof. I don’t think we’d get along.”

“No?” I chuckled, despite myself.

“I hate being inside. It’s so stuffy.” He slung his backpack on his shoulder and looked around the bustling airport, shuddering. “People all packed in like sardines. I’m all about wide-open spaces and fresh air.”

I put the strap of my carry-on over my shoulder. “Well, sounds like you’re stationed in the perfect place for that. Enjoy your flight. Good to see you again.”

He jogged to catch up with me as I’d already stepped away, holding out his ticket. “Wait, I bet we’re on the same flight.”

The guy had a point, considering we were going to the same place and there probably weren’t that many flights headed to Hawaii at the same time. I took a peek at the ticket he held between us as we walked, confirming that was the case.

My brow arched as I noted his seat assignment in first class. No wonder he’d been behind me in security. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, but the priority lane was much shorter than the line for all other passengers. Interesting. First class on a Marine’s salary, huh? Not that I was judging. It was just that I came from a middle-class family that probably fell into the same financial bracket as our service members, and I didn’t start flying first class until I started traveling with a celebrity.

“Yep, same flight.” I chose not to comment on his seat, however, since I had class and no idea of his financial situation.

“Cool,” he replied. “Well, I’ll see you at the gate. I’m gonna head over to the USO and see what kind of food they have today.”

“The USO?”

He tilted his head in the direction of a sign emblazoned with the acronym. “Yeah, it’s a lounge for the military and their families. I like to hang out there before my flight and get some free food. They’ve got recliners, bunk beds if you have to stay overnight, it’s a whole thing.”

“Nice.”

He pursed his lips. “Any chance you wanna check it out as my guest? I’ll buy you a free bag of beef jerky.”

“Tempting, but I’m a pescatarian.”

“A what?”

“I’m basically a vegetarian, except for fish. I love sushi.”               

Roman’s face contorted like he thought that was ridiculous, which, in his defense, was a normal reaction outside of LA. People there are more understanding of special diets than elsewhere. If you lived in Los Angeles and you didn’t have some kind of special diet, were you really an Angeleno?

“Right. Well, I don’t think you’re going to find any crab legs in there, but they probably have a bowl on the counter with some fruit in it. You in?”

I considered him for a moment. Here I was, only minutes into my solo adventure that was originally booked as my honeymoon, being invited into a military-only lounge with a ridiculously handsome Marine. Several voices in my head screamed at me to live a little, go with him, have fun. But at the end of the day, spontaneity wasn’t really my thing.

Every aspect of this trip had already been outlined in my ever-present planner, and right now I had a dozen small tasks to complete while I waited for my flight. If I didn’t get them done before boarding, I’d have to do them on the plane. And since I had a separate to-do list for the flight itself, that would just push everything into what was supposed to be an early bedtime. I’d already planned to be a little tired from traveling and with the time difference between LA and Hawaii— No, it just wouldn’t do to get off schedule so soon into the trip.

I gave him a small smile and shook my head. “I have some things to do before the flight. Thanks anyway.”

“No worries,” he replied with a grin. “If I don’t see you, have a good flight.”

“You too.”

I watched him walk toward the USO for a moment. Roman Russo. I didn’t know him well, but I did know one thing. He seemed like the kind of guy who threw caution to the wind and liked to go off script. That wasn’t me. Not by a long shot.

And it hadn’t been Jason either, which was one of the things I’d loved about him. He kept all of his commitments, was always on time, and rarely deviated from any plans we made. Well, maybe with one exception. Like when we planned to spend the rest of our lives together. So, there was that.

Treasured in Turtle Bay:

❤️ Opposites Attract

❤️ Fake Relationship

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Honeymoon Romance

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

Promises at Pyramid Rock:

❤️ Childhood Friends to Lovers

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Travel Blogger Heroine

❤️ Neighbors

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

Stranded at the Sandbar:

❤️ Brother’s Best Friend

❤️ Second Chance Romance

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Survival Romance

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

Romance on the Reef:

❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine

❤️ Widower/Widow Romance

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Neighbors to Lovers

❤️ Single Mom

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

Heartbeats in Honolulu:

❤️ Enemies to Lovers

❤️ Workplace Romance

❤️ Military Hero AND Heroine

❤️ Competition/Rivals

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

Christmas in Kailua:

❤️ Christmas Romance

❤️ Cinnamon Roll Hero

❤️ Single Mom Romance

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Beach Romance

❤️ Small-Town Vibes