Page 30 of Dreams and Reptiles

“You okay?” he asked with a chuckle.

I pressed a hand to my chest. “You didn’t mention I’d get the full fire boy uniform treatment. I would have been better prepared.”

He gave me a lopsided grin, which was almost as endearing as his big, bright, beautiful smile.

“I apologize for not warning you. I know, it has certain effects on the lay population. I told you, it’s a requirement. Part of our public service.”

The navy-blue collared shirt, with LT Warren on the name badge and some lines and stars and things that I didn’t know the significance of, sat nicely on his chest and shoulders.

“We’ll have to talk about all that,” I said, gesturing with my hand in a circle as I shook my head.

He looked down at himself. “Should I wear this to dinner? I was planning on changing⁠—”

“Leave it, for goshness sake, Kendall. Are you kidding me right now?”

Another face popped up on the screen as I was fanning myself, and Kendall and I both laughed.

“Buddy, how are you?” Kendall’s blue eyes nearly disappeared as he smiled widely for his friend.

“Howzit, brah? You still at work? Isn’t it time for you to retire again?”

“I’ve got eight more years, three minimum till I hit my three percent, and I didn’t expect ageist comments from you.” He shook his head in mock disgust as Kimo laughed.

“I’m messing with you, dude. Hey, Francis, I’m Kimo Awana.”

“Great to meet you, but if you want to mess with him some more, feel free. I’m enjoying this.”

Kendall gave an awkward chuckle. “Kimo, this is Saucy Neighbor Francis Liang. Francis, this is the genius I spoke to you about, who’s a year older than me and should keep that in mind when he wants to give me a hard time.”

“Noted, brah. Florida is lonely without you, man.”

Kendall tilted his head. “Miss you too, buddy. Weather’s way better out here. I’m in a great place. Can’t wait to have you visit. You think you have some time to work on our project? Francis, I already sent him the measurements, so he has an idea of how big an area we’re talking about.”

“I’ve for sure got the time once I’ve finished up with a few things here. Lani and I were talking about coming out that way for a bit anyhow. She misses her family there in the Bay Area, you know how it is, plus her mom’s been sick.”

He rubbed a hand over his bald head. He was a big guy with island-bronze skin and dark brown eyes that crinkled at the corners to indicate he laughed a lot, but he wasn’t laughing now.

“Oh, buddy, I get it. I’m sorry. You need anything? Lani doing okay?”

He blew out a long breath. “She’s looking into doing some travel nursing. Pay’s good. And we got the fifth wheel. Let me talk to her. This might be perfect timing.”

“Hey, man, you know my place is yours anytime. Tell Lani I can talk to Erin over at the hospital.”

“And Kimo, I’m not sure if Kendall told you, but I’m building an artists’ retreat here. I don’t know anything about your situation, but I’ve got space and resources. I’d love to set up a metal shop for folks to be able to come take classes and even rent space to working artists. Just throwing that out there.”

Kimo wiped at his face… but it was Kendall’s expression that had me worried. Had I overstepped? I opened my mouth to apologize, but Kendall’s frown softened, and his lopsided grin was back. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I would hope for the best in this scenario.

“I don’t know what to say,” Kimo finally spoke. “That’s a generous offer. Let me talk to Lani, and I’ll let you know.”

“My place is yours, brother. You know it.”

“But isn’t it also your scaly homies’ place, too?”

Kendall rolled his eyes, and his smile widened. “Tell Lani they’ll behave, and assure her that I’ve got no venomous creatures. I know she worried about that.”

“A’ight. I did manage to draw up some ideas before all this happened, so I’ll email those to you. I don’t know what your budget is⁠—”

“We’re quite flexible,” I blurted out. Then realized I should have let Kendall answer. He just gave a cough-laugh and shook his head.