Prologue
KAI
It’s the little things in life that make you want to live life to the fullest. That’s what my mama always told me. Oh how I miss her so. I wish she could see me now. Living every day as if it were my last.
She passed away when I was just sixteen. I was learning to drive and was becoming very interested in boys.
“You watch them boys now, ya hear? You can’t always trust them,” she would always say to me when I told her about the many crushes I use to have. And for the most part she was right. Her and my father had a very strained relationship. They mainly stayed together for the sake of having me. I felt as if I was the biggest burden. But mama always reassured me that I wasn’t.
I’ve been afraid to fall in love. I’ve been too afraid of letting someone in and giving them the opportunity to crush my soul. I couldn’t bare the thought.
“Kai,” Cara called out to me, bringing me from my deep thoughts. “I’ve got something to give to you. Happy early birthday.”
She handed me a bag that was pink with floral arrangements on it and a gold glittered border. Inside was a card. It read:
To the best friend a girl could ever have. I couldn’t think about what to get you this year but I think I’ve come up with the best idea. Girls road trip? Please say yes.
“YES!” I shouted.
“Keep looking in the bag,” Cara said, winking.
“There’s more?”
Cara nodded.
I looked in the bottom of the bag and found boarding passes for a Caribbean cruise. I was speechless. I tried to find the right words to say.
“Who says you need to have a man to go on a cruise?” Cara snorted.
I laughed and covered my mouth with my free hand.
“When do we leave?” I asked.
“In five days. We better start packing.”
