Chapter 3
Molly's POV
I was OBSESSED with the girl in the mirror.
Six weeks of transformation hell were finally over, and I couldn't believe the woman staring back at me was Molly Baker. Golden-tanned skin glowing in the sunlight, natural waves cascading over my shoulders, eyes sparkling like stars. Perfect curves, confident smile, elegant grace.
I'd become a goddess I didn't even recognize.
"PERFECTION!" Caroline clapped her hands. "You're a walking, breathing goddess now!"
But there was one problem—I hadn't seen that guy from the coffee shop again.
Ryan.
That name had been echoing in my head for six weeks. I'd been to every café in Maui, walked every beach, but he'd vanished like smoke.
Maybe our meeting was just a beautiful accident.
"Surfing lesson today!" Caroline announced excitedly. "You need to conquer the ocean, just like you conquered your new life!"
She tossed me a bikini—sky blue with barely any fabric.
"I can't wear THIS!" I blushed. "It's too revealing!"
"Bullshit! Why hide a body this perfect?" Caroline put her hands on her hips. "Be BRAVE, Molly! Show off that beauty!"
Ten minutes later, I stood on Waikiki Beach wanting to dig a hole and disappear.
This bikini was testing the limits of human decency. The super low-cut bottoms hugged my hips, and the top barely covered the essentials. Every breath made me worry about a wardrobe malfunction.
The guys around me were staring, some even whistling.
God, had I really become this sexy?
"RELAX!" surf instructor Jake laughed. "You look scared to death. Remember, surfing's all about balance and steering."
I nodded, trying to focus. But these waves were way bigger than expected, and the board wobbled under my feet.
"Ready?" Jake shouted.
I took a deep breath, lying flat on the board. "Let's do this!"
The wave pushed me forward as I fought to stay balanced. Left, right, left again...
Then I completely lost control.
"AHHH!"
The surfboard turned into a wild horse, carrying me straight toward a swimmer in the water. The guy was casually doing backstroke, completely oblivious to the incoming "human torpedo."
"WATCH OUT!" I screamed.
CRASH!
The board slammed directly into him. We tumbled underwater in a tangle of limbs, salt water flooding my nose.
When we finally surfaced, I found myself sprawled on top of a guy.
A very solid, very warm guy.
Our faces were inches apart. Water droplets rolled down his cheeks, and those deep brown eyes looked at me with surprise, confusion, and maybe... appreciation?
"That's the most unique 'human torpedo' attack I've ever experienced." His voice...
My heart stopped beating.
"Ryan?"
"Molly?"
Just then, a wave crashed over us, and my bikini strap got caught on the surfboard's fin.
"Ah!" I felt the top sliding down.
Ryan immediately reacted, wrapping his arms around me and pressing me tight against his chest. "Don't move."
His voice was low and husky. I could feel his solid chest muscles against me, his heartbeat racing as fast as mine. The seawater made our skin hypersensitive—every touch felt electric.
"Your bikini..." He glanced down, face slightly flushed.
I looked down—oh God! The strap had completely loosened, and only his arms were protecting my dignity.
"Don't let go!" I gripped his shoulders nervously.
His Adam's apple bobbed. "I won't."
We stayed like that in the water, and I could feel every inch of his muscle definition. His body heat radiated through our wet skin, that faint masculine scent mixed with salty seawater making me dizzy.
"We need to swim to shore," he said, voice tense.
"But my bikini..."
"I'll help you." He carefully adjusted position, one arm still protecting me while the other reached behind my back.
When his fingers touched my back, I couldn't help but shiver. He was retying my straps, movements gentle and careful, but every touch sent heat through my entire body.
"There." He said it but didn't immediately let go.
We stared at each other as gentle waves rocked us. This Ryan was completely different from the blurry figure in the coffee shop—sharp jawline, deep eyes, wet hair plastered to his forehead. He was breathtakingly gorgeous.
"You... you've changed," he said softly, eyes filled with disbelief.
"So have you," I whispered. "I mean, now I can actually see you clearly."
"You're beautiful, Molly." When he said this, his gaze was so sincere. "Absolutely beautiful."
We swam to shore, my legs so weak I could barely stand. Ryan helped me sit on the sand, settling beside me.
"God, I'm SO sorry!" I apologized frantically. "I'm still learning to surf... you're not hurt, are you?"
"No." He smiled, that grin making my heart race. "Though this is definitely the most unique way to meet again."
"You've been in Hawaii this whole time?" I couldn't help asking. "I looked for you everywhere..."
The words slipped out before I could stop them. Too forward!
But Ryan's eyes flashed with surprise. "You were looking for me?"
"I... I mean..." I stammered, "just wanted to talk about literature again..."
"Me too." He looked toward the horizon. "Actually, I've been hoping to see you again."
"Really?"
"I'm working on a photography project, documenting the natural beauty of Pacific islands." He turned to me. "But honestly, what I couldn't stop thinking about wasn't the scenery—it was a girl who talked to me about Márquez in a coffee shop."
My heart pounded harder.
"That girl's still here," I said softly. "Just... a little more confident now."
"I can see that." He stood up, extending his hand to me. "Want to see the real Hawaii? I know places tourists never find."
I didn't hesitate to take his hand.
The next two weeks felt like a dream.
Ryan took me to hidden beaches where we were completely alone. We swam in crystal-clear waters, walked on soft white sand. He taught me to identify different tropical fish as we snorkeled together over coral reefs.
He brought me to local restaurants only natives knew about, where we tried authentic Hawaiian cuisine. He'd chat fluently in Hawaiian with locals, then translate their fascinating stories for me.
Every day brought new adventures, every moment helped me understand this mysterious man better.
But most importantly, I started forgetting Albert's pain.
"Want to see a volcano?" Ryan asked one evening.
"A volcano?"
"Yeah, there's this special place. If you trust me."
I nodded without hesitation.
When night fell, Ryan drove me somewhere I'd never seen—the edge of a volcanic crater.
"Oh my God..." I gasped at the view below.
The entire island spread out beneath us, lights twinkling like a sea of stars. The distant horizon glowed silver under moonlight like a silk ribbon.
"This is my secret spot," Ryan said. "I come here to shoot photos and think about life."
He spread a blanket on the ground and we sat side by side. The night breeze was cool, so he draped his jacket over my shoulders.
"Thank you," I said. "These past two weeks... have been the happiest of my life."
Ryan turned to look at me, eyes gentle. "Tell me, what brought you to Hawaii?"
I took a deep breath and started telling Albert's story. From childhood memories to the cafeteria humiliation to overhearing those cruel words in the rain.
"He said I was like a puppy following him around," my voice shook. "Said I was pathetic, that no normal guy would ever want me."
Ryan's hands clenched into fists. "He's an ASSHOLE."
"Maybe he was right," I laughed bitterly. "Maybe I really am pathetic."
"NO." Ryan suddenly turned to face me, hands gently cupping my cheeks. "Listen to me, Molly. You're the smartest, kindest, most interesting woman I've ever met. Albert doesn't DESERVE you."
His gaze was so sincere, so tender. "You deserve to be treasured."
Moonlight bathed us both as ocean breeze whispered past. I looked into his eyes, feeling my heart pound.
Just as the moment turned intimate, Ryan's phone suddenly rang.
He frowned at the screen, his expression changing completely.
"Sorry, I have to take this." He walked aside to answer.
I couldn't see his face, but heard his voice turn serious. A few minutes later, he hung up and returned to sit beside me.
"Molly..." He looked at me, eyes full of regret. "I have to leave Hawaii."
