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I tear my eyes away from him and glance at her, expecting to see a trail of drool from her mouth. “Yeah, I think he’s single. And I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few things wrong with him.” I can’t hide the bitterness in my voice.
“Excellent.” She licks her lips. I eye her incredulously and she bursts out into giggles. “What? Well, sometimes it’s the right kind of wrong…”
“Oh my God, Maureen, you’re ridiculous.” I shake my head and laugh, pulling my scarf tighter around my neck and speeding up to catch the rest of the group.
“And this…” The tour guide says loudly to all of us. “Is the garden that inspired the play’s name.”
As we turn the corner, we come upon the Conservatory Garden. A large grass area framed by neatly trimmed hedges leads to a crystal-clear, circular fountain. Everything is becoming covered with a fresh layer of soft, white snow.
“The Conservatory Garden is composed of three areas, each with a distinct design: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, where we are now, and the English-style South Garden. The Garden opened in 1937 and is named for the glass conservatory that was built at this location in 1899 to offer seasonal plant displays to the public.” The tour guide rattles off more facts.
“How about a swim?” Kai is suddenly next to me, eyeing the fountain.
I regard him with disapproval, hanging back while Maureen and the rest of the group moves on. “Ha.”
He laughs. “You sure? Ice baths are supposed to be really invigorating.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“So, do you say that about everyone?” He shoves his hands into his pockets and kicks a small stone in front of him, leaving a tiny trail in the snow.
I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean? Who else have I said that to?”
“Just a few moments ago to Maureen.” He looks right at me.
My heart skips a beat. “You heard that?”
“So, what do you think is wrong with me…Ginge?” He grins, squinting across the garden, where the rest of the group is now out of earshot.
My heart skips another beat. He called me that nickname the night we met. I liked it then, but it doesn’t sit well now. I don’t give him the pleasure of a response.
“What?” He turns to me. “They were your words.”
“They were Maureen’s words,” I correct him, stepping away to explore the other side of the fountain. “I was just making conversation.”
“She didn’t seem to have a problem with it like you do. Not the way I heard it.” He follows me quickly.
“Well, she’s clearly dead set on getting your attention. If it’s up to her, I doubt you’ll be so single anymore,” I scoff.
“Eh, I don’t do relationships,” he replies simply.
I laugh.
“What? I don’t,” he repeats.
I stop in my tracks and turn to him. “You don’t do relationships? Like, at all?”
“Nope.” He shrugs. “They’re not for me.”
I eye him quizzically for a moment and then start walking again. I’m even more grateful now for not sleeping with him that night. It would be one thing if he was just looking for a fling in between committed relationships, but clearly, he isn’t even interested in anything real.
“So, I assume you do?” He’s next to me again in a blink.
I exhale and frown at him. “Yes, Kai, I do relationships.”
He throws up his hands. “Why are you still mad at me?”
I stop abruptly. “I’m not mad at you.”
