Page 6 of Between the Boards
I feel like an ass. Kairi has always been the one looking after everyone else. She manages the comfort levels, the reactions, and the moods of every person around her because she cares about us so much.
But it makes me feel too aware of her; too aware of how much little things truly bother her deep down; too aware of how no one else seems to notice. And that bothers me, because while she’s busy taking care of everyone…who’s taking care of her?
THREE
KAIRI
After ten minutesof toying with my extremely frizzy, knotted, and dry curls while I wait for Colton to return to our table, I throw my hair into a bun again, positive it resembles a bird's nest now. Detangling this later tonight is going to be the death of me.
“First things first,” Colton says, setting our tray of burgers and fries, along with classic strawberry milkshakes on the table before sliding into the booth across from me. “What qualities do you look for in a guy?”
“Uhm…” I pause, staring at him wide-eyed.
He pops a fry into his mouth, studying me. “You don’t know, do you?”
My face flushes and I bite the inside of my cheek. “I do know,” I scowl. “I’m not an idiot.”
But the truth is…I don’t think I have atype. At least not a one-size-fits-all. I’ve been attracted to all kinds of men with different careers, ambitions, personalities. There’s never been one simple description for the person I imagine myself with.
Colton raises a skeptical brow. “Okay,” he says. “So tell me.”
I reach forward and pull my shake closer, taking a long sip to buy myself time. Colton waits patiently, watching me over the rim of his own glass.
“That’s too broad of a question,” I finally say. “It feels like an interrogation.”
He chuckles under his breath, looking away with a smirk as he grabs another fry.
“Okay,” he says once he finishes chewing. “Let’s playThis or That.”
“Much better,” I say, leaning back against the cushioned booth with my shake in hand.
“Athletic surfer type,” he starts, “or artsy musician type?”
“Both?” I offer, not needing to think about it for long.
He lifts a brow. “Care to explain?”
“I’d like someone I can go surfing with—someone who can keep up with me. But I’d also like someone artsy too. It doesn’t have to be music. It could be writing, drawing, photography…anything creative.”
He pauses, considering what I said. “Why is it important that he be a creative person?”
I shrug. “The idea of being someone's muse sounds romantic.”
Colton laughs softly and nods knowingly. “Fair.” He reaches for his milkshake. “Okay, what about a charming flirt or a loyal best friend?”
Zale instantly comes to mind because he’s definitely a flirt—everyone knows that. But at one point, before things got complicated, he was also my loyal best friend and maybe that’s why I keep chasing after him…because I miss the person he used to be.
“Loyal best friend,” I finally say, taking another sip of my drink without meeting Colton’s eyes.
He pauses for a brief moment and then clears his throat, continuing. “Grand romantic gestures, or small thoughtful acts?”
“Small thoughtful acts,” I say with a shrug. “But grand gestures are nice once in a while, too.”
“They are,” Colton agrees, wiping his hands on a napkin. “What about flirty banter or deep talks?”
“Is it bad if I want both?”
“Not at all.” He leans back in his seat, watching me over his milkshake. “That just means you want someone with range.”
