Page 7 of Fruit and Flash

“Leon, how’re the fish biting?” Nate asks, and I’m glad he doesn’t comment on how long it’s been since I came to the bar. Ayear, I think? Yeah, about a year. They launch into a discussion of the best fishing spots and Leon orders a beer. “What about you, Hayes?”

“I’m designated driver,” I explain.

“I’ve got a mead that’s only two-percent alcohol,” he offers and I consider it.

If I remember from the college health class that included a lecture on binge drinking, two percent is practically non-alcoholic. After my sister’s pointed conversation about having fun, and my thoughts on loneliness lately, I decide I can use a drink.

“Sure, I’ll be here with Leon until he’s had a few, anyway,” I say and Leon laughs.

“You say that like I’m a drunk, asshat.”

We face the room and I see the game is on. “I’m just giving you shit. Wanna claim a table?”

“Probably should before it gets packed in here.”

Two people approaching the bar catch my eyes and I see it’s Ezra from the Boutique, a man completely unafraid to be out and gay. He’s arm-in-arm with a man who isn’t his partner Olly, and I do a double take.

Beside Ezra is a man who looks remarkably like the man I hooked up with months ago. Wearing a soft outfit in a creamy color that sets off his warm skin tone, it’s like Kai walked out of my fantasies and into this small town bar just to tease me.

Am I hallucinating? I don’t think I’m that hung up on the man.

The Kai-doppelganger guy stops in his tracks to look at me, and I notice his hair is longer than I remember Kai having, dark and wavy, almost to his jaw-line. He blinks at me and I swallow hard.

“Leon, Hayes! Good to see you two,” Ezra’s voice cuts into my frozen thoughts and I blink. Kai is still standing there.

“Ezra, how’s it going?” Leon replies while I stand there rooted in place. “Who’s this?”

Kai’s name is on the tip of my tongue, but Ezra answers first before I can embarrass myself in case I’m still imagining the appearance of my sexual awakening.

“This is my new social media consultant, Kai Hale.”

So I’m not imagining things.

“Hi, Kai,” Leon offers his hand and Kai finally stops staring at me. “Welcome to Foggy Basin. First time here?”

“No,” I answer for him and embarrass myself anyway. “I mean, hello.”

“Hello.” Kai lets go of Leon’s hand to take mine and I see a smirk on his face.

First, I feel my body heat up at the memory of his lips on me and then fear sets in. Will he tell them about our… time together?

“Yes. I broke down here in spring and Hayes helped me get a new tire,” Kai supplies and I feel my shoulders relax a few inches from their spot by my ears.

“He got a flat out by my stand,” I add unnecessarily. I can’t take my eyes off of him. Somehow, he’s even prettier than I remember. His lips are glassy and pink like he’s wearing makeup and I wonder if he still tastes like strawberries.

“And now you’re back,” Ezra says with a clap. “I’m so excited you’re staying!”

"You're staying? In Foggy Basin?”

“For a little bit, yeah,” Kai nods and reaches up to brush the hair from his eyes, looking up at me through his lashes. I wanted to reach out and help, so I balled my fists instead.

“Your drinks,” Nate calls out from the bar and Leon grabs them.

Leon hands my drink over and looks between me and Kai suspiciously. “I’m going to grab a table.”

“Yeah. Yes. Um. Okay,” I mutter and tilt my head down to hide for a second.

“I need to order food,” Ezra adds, moving to the bar and leaving me alone with Kai.