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Conservatory Garden.
Kai:
I’ll be there in 10.
I run my fingers through my tangled hair and check my makeup in the reflection of my phone. Having dinner with Kai isn’t abnormal, but the butterflies still emerge each time I do. Typically, Maureen and Brent join us, but when Kai and I are alone, it’s usually for the purpose of running lines or discussing a scene.
At this point, our friendship feels natural and unforced. Kai told me I’ll always have it; his friendship. I told him he’ll always have mine too, but a part of me that afternoon—a part much bigger than I want to admit—wished he told me he wanted something more.
Nick’s words echo in my mind too. He told me Kai is just like him, ironically admitting that he’s after just one specific thing: sex. And maybe he’s right. Maybe Kai still only wants me on that level. I’m beginning to finally accept that for myself, and surprisingly, the idea doesn’t sound so scary anymore. Maybe I can learn to want only that too.
I cleverly brought up Dan’s cousin with the hope that he would be put off by the idea. I thought maybe he’d jump at the opportunity to tell me to be with him instead. But he encouraged me to take a chance with this mystery man.
Not with Kai. No. Kai apparently doesn’t think I’m worth the effort.
Fine.
I frown as I begin to circle the large fountain in the center of the garden. The water sprays fifteen feet into the air and sprinkles back down to hit the circular pool beneath, sending ripples across its surface.
Staring at my distorted reflection, I wonder if I should have said something differently to Kai that evening. Should I have told him I’m not interested in seeing anyone else? Or would that have scared him away? The last thing I want is to lose our friendship. And at least I have that now. Clearly, if he wanted anything more, he would have jumped at the opportunity.
So, clearly, he does not.
The game is over. It’s time to move on.
I lift my gaze up to the fountain again and see Kai through the falling water, walking across the garden in my direction. I take a deep breath and circle around to meet him on the other side.
He smiles in his bright, reassuring way, stopping in front of me and shoving his hands casually into his pockets. “You’re out here all alone?”
I nod. “It’s just me.” I gesture to the emptiness around us. “And I tend to feel really close to Elaine when I’m here. It’s just so pretty. I usually come to memorize lines, but,” I look down at my empty hands, “I guess I just came to think today.”
Kai glances around at the budding trees. “It’s beautiful.” He pauses. “Kind of secluded and romantic, actually. I wish we had something like this back in Chicago. I’d impress a few girls with a place like this.” He laughs lightly at himself as he runs his hand through his hair.
I turn from him and walk to the other side of the fountain. “Yeah, probably.”
“Well, would you be impressed?” he asks, following me as I go. “If a guy took you here for a date?”
I shrug. “I don’t think I’m a good gauge of the type of girl you’re looking for.”
Kai doesn’t respond.
I’m still slowly circling the fountain to keep my distance from him. “I’m meeting Dan’s cousin a week from today. Leah already set it up.”
“Alright.” Kai’s voice is quiet behind me.
“Apparently he’s a banker. Seems like a stable, no-nonsense kind of guy.” I extend my hand to run a finger through the cool water.
There’s a long silence before he responds. “Is that what you want?”
I turn around. “What? Someone stable?”
He has stopped and is staring at me. “Dan’s cousin, the banker.”
Observing him for a moment, I shrug. “I don’t know. He’s on the city council. Owns a condo in The Hamptons. He’s texted me a bit already. Asked me some questions. He seems nice.”
Kai nods. “I’m sure he’s a real put-together guy. And I’m sure he’ll tell you everything you want to hear.”
I raise a brow.
