“There’s something amazing about having sweating as your only job, ya know?” said Kimi.
“I hear you. I always have a to-do list as long as my arm. It’s nice to just switch off for a bit.”
“I’m glad Jack told you that I’m with Morgan,” Kimi said casually. “This would be really awkward if you thought I was hitting on you.”
I leaned back against the wooden bench and sighed. “If I had to have a woman hitting on me, I’d want it to be you, Kimi.” I gave her a wink, and she grinned back.
“How long have you been with Morgan?” I asked.
“Three years,” she answered promptly.
“And you’re not married, right?” She nodded. “You live together?”
“Yup.” she confirmed.
“Are you OK with that?” My head tilted to the side. I wasn’t judging, just trying to figure things out.
“Well, not all the time. He has the aiming skills of a hose that got attacked by a weed whacker, so our bathroom always looks disgusting. But other than that, yeah, he’s pretty great.”
I laughed. “But when we first met you told me he was a jerk!”
Chuckling, she replied, “Heisa jerk. But he’s a guy, so that’s to be expected. You know, not getting how women work. Not so great at communicating. But we get each other on the levels that count, you know? It’s kind of a cliche, but it’s true. Bass and drums have to be in synch, or nothing works.”
“Hmm.” I nodded and reached for the pitcher to pour lemon water. I handed her a cup and sipped from my own, wiping sweat off my face.
“You sound like living together isn’t something you’d be cool with.” Kimi grabbed a handy towel and wiped her face, too.
“Actually, in college I lived with my boyfriend for two years.”
“And how was that?” She set the cup down and refilled it.
“At the time it was…good. Really good.”
“What happened?” she asked, looking at me over the rim of her cup.
“Um, it was good till it wasn’t,” I answered carefully. “And I haven’t seen him since.”
“And you really were into him?” Her eyes narrowed a bit, probing.
“I loved him. He was my first. And only.”
Oops, how did that slip out?
Kimi slammed down her cup so fast I was worried she’d break it. “Shut the front door! Your only? You’ve never had a boyfriend since then? How long has it been?”
I tried to shrug it off. “5 years. But it’s no big deal. I’ve been really focused on work, so I’ve been super busy.”
Kimi’s eyes narrowed further. “I call bullshit.”
“No, honestly, I’m fine. I just haven’t found anyone worth investing in. Most men are only interested in one thing and if they can’t have that right away, they’re out the door. I don’t have time to play games and so it’s easier just to be on my own.”
Kimi shook her head and said, “I call double bullshit.”
“Why?” I was surprised by the intensity of her tone.
“Because you met Jack. He’s worth it.”
“You like Jack a lot?” I queried. “You know him pretty well?”
