“Is it wrong of me to want to try goat yoga now?” she asks. “I think it would be fun. You’ll need to find out where he did it.” She wipes a small crumb away from the corner of her mouth.
I stare at her in disbelief. She’s being serious. “I couldn’t think of anything worse than doing goat yoga.”
“Oh, I think I could.”
“Yeah?”
“Boomwhackers. It brought you out in a cold sweat at dinner the other night.”
Her comment catches me off guard, and something bubbles in my throat and before I can contain it, I throw my head back laughing. It’s the first time I’ve laughed this hard in ages. It feels good. Great. I like that she pays attention and sees in me what others often miss.
Sapphire joins in, and as our laughter fades, we stare at each other in silence, sipping our drinks, eating our muffins, daring each other to look away, until we’ve finished.
There’s something between us. Something more than a spark. It’s not just chemistry or chance; it’s something more profound, almost palpable, and unmistakable, like I could reach out and touch it. I’ve never felt anything like this with any woman before. Whatever this is… it feels real. Natural. Confusing.
“Sapphire?” A male voice breaks our stare-off.
She looks up toward the voice, shading her eyes from the blazing sun. “Kai?” Her voice is tinged with confusion as she calls his name.
“The one and only. Surprise!” The stranger holds his arms out to the sides as if expecting Sapphire to hug him, his smile goofy and expectant.
Remaining seated, Sapphire lays her arms on the table, closing herself off, which I find weird, because she’s usually so friendly. “How have you been, Kai?”
“Awesome, dude.”
He called her dude. Who the hell is this chump?
“I’m just back from Australia. It was killer.” He throws her a shaka, thumb and pinky extended, middle fingers tucked, that easy “awesome” gesture surfers make look effortless.
His creased T-shirt, long hair, and deep tan make him look more like he needs a good wash than he’s healthy. Hell knows when he last washed his hair. It’s matted beyond recognition, sticking out in every direction. And is that sand in his hair? Did he sleep on the beach last night?
I don’t know him, but I already hate him. I don’t really, but I want to.
Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat.
“Oh, sorry, excuse my manners. This is Eli.” Sapphire introduces us.
“Hey, man, nice to meet you. I’m Kai. Sapphire’s boyfriend.” He offers me his hand in greeting, grinning from ear to ear.
It might be rude of me, but I can’t accept it because his words hit me like a ton of bricks to the gut, leaving me stunned.
Boyfriend? Fuck, I shouldn’t be here having coffee with her alone.
I never thought to ask her if she was dating. How could she not be, given the way she looks?
Sapphire’s brow wrinkles with… uncertainty, worry, confusion? I can’t tell, as discomfort spreads through my chest, my jaw tightening, my gaze flicking across the street, then back to Sapphire.
“I think I should get going,” I say, keeping my voice steady and measured, disguising the sudden irritation and hurt I feel that she has a boyfriend. Not that I should care, but I do. And I hate it. I didn’t sign up for this. Not her, not anything.
I slowly rise from my chair, the legs of it scraping against the ground, my posture straight, every movement controlled as I lift my cell phone from the table.
Offering her a slight nod that says I’m leaving, she returns an almost unremarkable smile, as if Kai has stolen all her energy and zest for life.
I get the impression he doesn’t make her very happy, when that’s all she’s been since I met her.
Taking a deep breath, I turn and walk away, and I don’t look back, my head held high.
It was crazy of me to think she would ever be interested in someone like me. Our energies don’t just clash; they’d never be able to survive breathing the same air together.