Page 22 of Loving Kai

Abe looked at her. “So, do I get to ask you the same question?”

“No.”

He shook his head. “So unfair. You haven’t slept with Larry, have you?”

“Ew. Gross. No.”

“If that would be gross to you, why go out with him?”

“Can we change the subject, please?”

“No. You need to answer that question.”

Maggie sighed loudly. “He’s nice, non-threatening, and there’s no way I’d fall for him.”

“I’m confused.”

“I just wanted someone to spend time with once in a while.”

“I see.”

Thunder shook the house again, and Maggie covered her face. Abe put his hand on her arm and pulled her hands down. “It’s just Zeus blowing off some steam.”

“Well, Zeus needs to find another outlet. Like yoga or meditation.” Maggie looked at him, then down at his hand on her arm. When she looked him in the eye again, she smiled. “Thank you for this.”

He reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “It’s what friends do.”

“Are we friends now?”

He took a moment to answer. “Yeah. I think we are. Is that okay?”

“So you’re going to be nice to me at work?”

“Well, let’s not go crazy. I will try to be more charming and less disagreeable.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Why do you want to date someone safe?”

She was quiet for a moment. “Until I find the perfect guy, safe is good enough.”

“You should never settle for good enough. You never know who might turn out to be the perfect guy.”

Maggie leaned against him for a moment, then picked up her glass and took a sip. She shook her head. “Nope. Still tastes like crap.” Abe was still looking at her, and she cocked her head. “What?”

“I um… This is going to sound weird, but I would very much like to kiss you.”

She smiled. “Why?”

“I’m not sure. I’m nowhere near the perfect guy, and probably not the safest either.”

“You’re too hard on yourself, Abe.”

“Still, kissing you would probably—”

Maggie leaned forward and kissed him, then pulled back and put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, wow. I—”

He smiled. “It’s okay.” He pulled her hand down again, then pulled her close and kissed her back. He looked at her for a moment and smiled.