Page 10 of Fruit and Flash

“There’s farmers popular online?” Hayes asks, clearly surprised. “How do they have the time?”

“Well, a lot are filming them feeding animals, fixing up places on their property. So they're still working. It’s extra income, though.”

“They make money sharing videos of them doing farm chores?”

“Yeah, but farm chores with a pretty background you can’t find in the city. I mostly follow the gay content creators in America, so they can earn a living on some platforms. Actually–” I stop, not sure I should ask.

“What?” Hayes prompts, leaning closer.

Does he realize we’re talking with our heads so close where anyone can see? Or that I’m tempted to ask for a kiss right here and now? I decide not to say anything to ruin the moment.

“Well, I only have a little bit of paid work with Ezra. I still need to shoot content while I'm in town.”

“What kind of content?” Hayes asks, his voice low. Shit. He thinks I mean the spicy kind. I am not that kind of influencer.

Leaning back, I push the too-long hair out of my face and take a drink from my cup. “Mostly wearing certain brands, day in the life, promoting sponsors. But maybe with a pretty backdrop?”

Hayes leans back as well, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Not knowing which part has him confused, I decide to be direct. “Maybe I can shoot on your farm for variety?”

Please say yes. Please say yes,I chant in my head, wanting an excuse to be near this lumbersnack of a man again.

“Oh, sure,” Hayes blinks and looks at the people around like he just realized we aren’t alone. “When?”

“Let me get your number this time, farm boy? I’ll text to arrange a time.”

Hayes nudges his phone on the table between us, the screen unlocking without a passcode. “Put your number in.”

Opening the message app, I see he has someone named Kristen at the top and hope she’s not a girlfriend. I send myself an emoji of a winking face then pull my phone out to save his name as ‘Hayes Farmboy’.

“Since I don’t know your last name.” Showing him, he just smirks and types something on his phone before showing me. “Kai Hawai’i?”

“I don’t know your last name either,” Hayes points out and pockets his phone.

“It’s Hale,” I tell him. We’re smirking at each other when Hayes’ friend tells him he wants to go home after losing to Olly.

“Bye, Farmboy.”

“Bye, Hawai’i.”

This time, it’s not forever.

Chapter six

Hayes

Aftertextingbackandforth for a few days, mostly logistics, Kai is coming over today. When his messages turn flirtatious, I don’t have a clue how to respond, so now he probably thinks I’m pretending ourthingdidn’t happen.

At the bar I felt like we still had chemistry. It was like time stood still when Kai appeared in front of me. I forgot everything and everyone around us when I saw him. If Kristen had been there instead of Leon, who was distracted by playing pool and the game on TV, she would have called me out on my behavior.

Actually, if my sister was there, she would have been sending eligible women my way and I wouldn’t have gotten that time to reconnect with Kai. I love her, but I do not want to be set up by my little sister.

Shadow whines to be let out so I open the door for him. He can sense my nerves, and I feel like a neurotic mess. People come over all the time. It’s a working farm. I don’t need to be twisted in knots over a single man.

But is he still single? It’s a long time between early spring and the end of summer. Two full seasons of harvests for me. He might have met someone on his travels. Maybe some rich guy who can buy him the fancy things he likes. Kai is pretty enough to have a sugar daddy.

Is pretty even the right word? He’s undeniably masculine. Kai’s toned, muscular arms and legs were on display at the bar, and his sharp jawline had a five-o-clock shadow. I consider looking him up online again to see if there’s pictures of him wearing even less. I bet he’s pretty all over.