Finding Paradise

CHAPTER 1: EARLY SHIFT

The buzzing of the alarm clock jolted Kai awake. She glanced at the blurry red numbers on her nightstand. "6:30? Why am I waking up at 6:30?", she mumbled to herself. She groaned as she rolled onto her back, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She jolted up as she remembered why her alarm was set so early. "Dammit, I switched shifts with Skip. Ugh!" She dragged herself out of bed and got a pot of coffee ready before stepping into the shower. She shouldn't have stayed up to watch that "Friends" marathon last night.

After downing a cup of coffee and fixing herself a bagel with cream cheese she threw on her uniform and gave herself a decent makeover before grabbing her keys and purse. Making sure the coffee maker was off, she locked up and headed to her truck. *"Well, she thought to herself, at least I'll have the afternoon off to hang out."*

Being a server at The Surf Shack has its perks. The restaurant sits right off the beach in one of Maui's most popular hotels, so besides the majority of grateful hotel guests, the view is amazing and makes up for the occasional screaming baby.
As she prepares for her shift she glances towards the ocean. Today looks like a good beach day, and she expects there to be a lot of take out orders from guests.

"Kai", a voice jolts her out of her thoughts. "I just sat someone in your section", the young girl tells her.

"Oh, okay. Thanks", Kai replies. She picks up a pot of coffee and approaches the lone gentleman seated near the water. "Aloha, and welcome to The Surf Shack. My name is Kai. Would you care for some coffee this morning, Sir?"

"Good morning Kai", the gentleman replies in a British accent. "Yes, coffee would be great, thank you. And please, call me Harry."
Kai pours the cup of coffee for her guest as he concentrates on his menu.

"Have you been to our restaurant before? Do you have any questions about any of our servings?", she asks. *"Why do I have to get the hot British one first thing?"*

"First time", he says as he takes the first sip of his coffee. "This is great", he says as he sets his cup down. "Tell me about the 'loco moco'?", he asks as he looks up at Kai.

*"Whoa, his eyes are GREEN"*, Kai thought to herself. "Uhm", she starts as she shakes her head clear. "It's a scoop of white rice, a 1/2 pound hamburger patty, and one egg, your choice, on top of that, all smothered in brown gravy. It's a local favorite."

"I'll take it", Harry says casually.

"Good choice", Kai says, "How would you like your egg?"

"Hmm, how do you like it?", Harry asks her.

"Most people like it sunny side up, I like mines scrambled."

"Scrambled it is then", Harry says as he puts his menu down.

"Can I get you anything else? Will anyone be joining you?"

"A glass of water, and it's just me I'm afraid", Harry replies.

"I'll be right back", Kai says as she clears away the extra setting.

"He's cute", Leia says to Kai as she puts the extra settings away. "Is he single?"

"I dunno", Kai says as she looks at him. "He said he was eating alone."

"Do you think he's gay?", Leia asks.

"Who knows? If he is or if he isn't, good luck to whoever gets to stare into those green eyes", Kai replies. She walks back to his table with a full glass of iced water. "Here you go Harry, and I brought you some lemon wedges, just in case."

"Thank you, Kai", he says.

"Let me know if you need anything else", Kai says.

"I will", Harry says winking at her.