Page 38 of Loving Kai

“You already did.”

“Apologize and try to explain.”

“That I’d like to hear.”

He tapped the arm of the chair with his fingers. “I’m having a little bit of trouble figuring out how to be around you.”

“You’re uncomfortable around me now, right? I was afraid of that. We ruined our work relationship.”

Abe laughed. “Yeah, bummer. It was such a good one.”

“It worked. At least you were consistently testy. Please don’t fire me.”

He shook his head. “I’m not going to fire you. If anything, I should fire myself.”

“Why are you uncomfortable, aside from the obvious?”

“I um…” He sighed. “I don’t know. I have some mixed feelings about…everything.”

“What kind of mixed feelings?”

He wiped his damp palms on his pants. “I think I might like you, Maggie.”

“Oh. Like as in…”

“Yeah. Weird, right? Of course, I’ve always liked you in a normal boss and employee sort of way. I just didn’t always show it. But now… I had a really good time with you, and I’m having trouble talking myself out of doing something stupid.”

Maggie ran a hand through her hair. “Such as?”

“Such as thinking that we could somehow make this work. That’s assuming you’d even want to. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”

“Oh. Hmm.”

He got to his feet. “Dumb, I know. And presumptuous. You must think I’m crazy and way out of line.” He walked to the window and looked out at the night sky.

She didn’t answer right away, then said, “I don’t think it’s dumb.”

“Crazy?”

“A little, yeah.”

He turned to face her. “Is it something…?”

“Maybe. I can’t say that I haven’t thought about it a little bit.”

He grinned. “Just a little bit?”

“Don’t get cocky.”

He went to the couch and sat down, leaving some space between them. “I know that I’m still not the guy you want to end up with.”

“I think you’re more that guy than you think you are.”

“Would you be willing to…go out on a date with me?”

Maggie smiled. “A date?”

“Yeah. Some kind of date. Whatever you wanted to do.” He cocked his head. “Too weird?”