Page 26 of Fruit and Flash

And I will. I can’t wait to have Kai here where I can see and touch him every day. For however long he decides to stay.

Chapter seventeen

Kai

Movingfromtheapartmentin town to Hayes’ place takes longer than I expect and it’s dark by the time I’ve got it all into the big bedroom. I have a lot of stuff spread after two weeks there, and the heat makes me take constant breaks with going up and down the stairs into the alley and through the boutique without disturbing Ezra’s business.

Ezra and Avery don’t seem sad to see me moving out, but that’s probably because of the look they shared when I said I’m staying on Hayes’ farm. I can’t be sure they think we’re hooking up, but they definitely think I have a crush. They’re not wrong.

Either way, I thank Ezra profusely for letting me crash and promise to come into town often to check in. Should be easy, since I foresee a lot of trips to the hardware store. Hayes helps me plug my car in at the barn and carry my luggage into the house before suggesting I take a shower.

Despite taking the time to prep and brush my teeth, I pass out as soon as I lay down on the bed, not even rememberingmy nighttime skincare routine. I was planning to seduce Hayes, maybe see if he wants to score a homerun, but that plan flies out the window.

The window that is cracked open and filled with sunlight and birds chirping like I’m in a cartoon movie and I’m a fairy princess. Well, one of those words applies. Stretching and rubbing at my eyes, I blink around the room at the mess I made. My clothes are still in the suitcase on a bench at the end of the bed, but it’s wide open. And I’m butt naked.

At some point during the night, I crawled under the bedding and I slept hard. The cool breeze from the window felt amazing then, but now I can tell it’s already warming up. Getting up, I close the window, cutting off most of the birdsong. After using the bathroom and doing extra skincare, I came out to find clothes that are suitable for working on a house.

Hmm, I’ve got nothing. There’s a pair of jeans, but they’re artfully torn and one of my most expensive pieces. Not work pants. Well, I’m not painting today, and it’s going to be hot as balls again.

While I’m putting on shorts and a tank-top, a message pops up from a brand I’ve been considering working with. The problem is that they’re a facial hair care company, and I can barely grow a few whisps. Still, they sent me a brand ambassador box with products to try out.

A lot of the things I needed to move were things like this. Random products and items of clothing I have contracts to promote, while others I give away as prizes or to people who let me crash. I turn a lot down, and I should have a brand manager to deal with this stuff, but hell, I got a degree in marketing. I might as well use it.

Avery has facial hair, and I was thinking of asking him, but I have a bona fide bearded man in the same house as me now. Hayes mustache is always impeccably groomed, but a bit wiryfor kissing. I like the beard burn, but it does mean he has more to work with than anyone else I know. He did say he wants to help me.

Understanding what Mustachioed Man wants, I pull the quilt back to reveal clean white sheets and lay the closed box on the simple background. I set up my tri-pod so my hands are free, opening the box slowly. I pull out the products one at a time to show each one from different angles. If Hayes agrees, this will be great filler.

Since I’m dressed and have my filming equipment out, I slip on myIsland Slippersand head out to the building I'll be spending a lot of time in, grabbing a cup of coffee on the way. All of my stuff fits in a backpack, including the hair products in case I run into Hayes.

Walking across the gravel driveway, the morning sun beams down on me and the chickens cuck from the coop. Walking along the barn, I unplug my rental car and set my backpack on the driver’s seat with the door open. I’ve gotten good at using my car as a staging area, but it’s nice to be so close to the house I’m sleeping in.

Setting my tripod up in the shade of the barn, I take a picture and notice Hayes put the tarp on the roof already. I take a moment to appreciate a man who helps without being asked and then set my camera to record with nothing but trees behind me. It feels weird for most people to talk to the camera as if it’s a person, but I’m used to it. And if the sound doesn’t come out right, I can add a voiceover.

“Aloha, everyone. Today I want to finally share my new project,” I say, alluding to what I hinted at last night. I won’t post this for another couple days, so more teasing will come before they see this. Always have to think days ahead. “You all know I’m staying in a small town to collaborate with the Ezra of EzraStrum Designs, but you might not know, is that I’m staying a little longer!”

Project planning can only go so far to predict how long this will take, and I don’t want to over promise or give a specific timeline. From my research on renovations, that’s a recipe for failure.

Stepping to the right, I use the handle on my tripod to make the camera follow me. Framed behind me is the old building that honestly looks like a shack. “I’m renovating this building on a farm to be livable, and I’m bringing you all along with me to learn how to fix things!” Taking the camera with me, I walk towards the structure. “The outside needs paint and a bit of roof repair, plus a new window,” I explain. “But I want you to see the inside with me for the first time!”

Technically, I saw inside of it already, but I’m going to play up seeing it first for the camera. And honestly, I was so excited when Hayes showed me, I barely took in my surroundings. After this I need to find Hayes to borrow a measuring tape so I can start planning for real.

Opening the door, it lets out an eerie creak. “I won’t let that be an omen,” I joke as I step inside. I keep the camera on my face. I’ll record the interior separately and splice them together. “Oh-em-gee, it’s adorable!”

Looking around at the floors covered in dirt and dried leaves so thick I can only tell it has old linoleum in a few places, the walls covered in peeling paint and yellowed wallpaper, not to mention the dropped ceiling. Anyone would think I was lying. But somehow, I see the potential. Where others might see a tear-down, I see a project I can’t wait to sink my teeth into.

“It looks like there’s a kitchenette with a picture window over the sink. No oven, but there is a two burner stovetop. There’s no bathroom, but I have to wonder if there was an outhouse on the farm when this was in use.” Looking up, I mentally picturethe peak of the roof outside. “I wonder if there are pretty wood beams? Ooh, or I could add a loft for a bed!”

“Might need to if you want to add a bathroom.” Hayes’ deep voice startles me and I clutch at my chest.

He’s in the doorway, his hat almost skimming the header, and I feel like this moment needs to be documented. This is another big moment that can help Hayes’ farm. I face the camera his way and give him a big smile.

“Everyone, meet Hayes. Owner and resident cowboy of Hayes Farm, and he has graciously allowed me to start this project. Say, hi, Hayes!”

Chapter eighteen

Hayes

WhenIfoundKaiasleep last night, I got the tarp on the roof of the little caretaker house so he would have a good start, but that means I was up later than usual. “Hi, Hayes,” I say, waving awkwardly for Kai’s camera. It feels a little like when you do a facetime without seeing the screen, and I repress a cringe when I realize this will end up on the internet. I’m sweaty from planting radishes and wrangling my animals, but I wanted to get it all done before the heat of the day settled in.