Chapter One

“Men and girls came and went

like moths

Among the whisperings

and the Champagne

and the stars.”

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

***

Lanikai Eco Resort, Hawaii

Lu’s ohana, her mates, were sad to see her go. Their hippy fairy. In her bangles and bells and not much more. Dancing nude by the bonfire out in the Field of Dreams. Always up for a full moon shag at The Point. They were all a merry band of free spirits. Sharing Ha, the Hawaiian greeting. She got her first tattoo, the Hawaiian shark, arched across her ass. Then had her navel pierced.

When he bought the resort, her mentor, Walter Whitlock, had given Lu a choice. Stay on at Lanikai as GM. Or be in Greece. He was definitely promoting her. There she could be project manager of Efcharistisi, his eco island development project. It was not an easy choice. The Hawaiian vibe and lifestyle suited her. The big island resort needed her, she knew. Greece, though? It called to her. The place of goddesses, oracles, spanakopita. And Greek men.

The island boys were a little too laid back, even for her. She would not miss their rustic “I’ll bathe tomorrow,” mentality. Sunbathing in her birthday suit by the pool with mai tais? She would miss. Her suitcase bulged with colorful sarongs, Kona coffee, mac nuts, and kukui nut necklaces. She even brought back an orchid lei for Diana, Walter’s wife.