“Max. He’s older than me. We don’t text or talk every day, but I know he loves me. I know me being in Hawai'i makes him feel better, because he knows somebody’s looking after me. When our parents died, I was already in Hawai'i, and he was still in college in LA,” Kai explained. “He comes to visit me for holidays. Sometimes we go on trips together.”
“I get that. I’m pretty close to my siblings, but we don’t really text a lot. Just send memes back-and-forth and such,” I replied.
“I don’t really talk to anybody. I discovered that a family doesn’t have to be blood. It can also be made.” Steven shot me a fond look and squeezed my hand.
I squeezed his back.
“The aunties are excited to meet you. I mean, you’re not doctors, lawyers, or investment bankers, but you’re not so bad.” Kai grinned.
“Glad to hear that.” I loved that grin. Sure, I hadn’t known Kai long, but the idea of not seeing that grin anymore when they returned to Hawai'i made me sad.
But the off-season was coming. I’d like to stay in touch with Kai.
Or more.
We finished our meals and the entire bottle of expensive wine.
“How was dinner?” the server asked, as he cleared the table.
“It was delicious.” Kai nodded.
“Excellent. Would anyone like dessert?” The server held out a dessert menu.
Kai gave me an expectant look. “I think there was a promise of gooey butter cake.”
“Yes, there was.” I took the dessert menu.
“I’d like a coffee.” Steven looked around. “Coffee for everyone to go with dessert?”
“Yes, please,” I said.
“Hot green tea, jasmine if you have it. Thank you. We’re going to share the cake?” Kai asked. “I can’t eat a whole one.”
Sharea piece of butter cake? I could eat an entire one myself. But Kai had eaten their entire dinner of filet, lobster, and potatoes, some of Steven’s ribs, and a chunk of my steak.
“I’ll share a piece of cake with you, if you’d like.” I looked at the server. “We’ll share a piece of gooey butter cake, warm, with extra caramel sauce.”
“I’ll get the chocolate cake, extra hot fudge,” Steven said. “I’ll give you some of that too. It’s delicious.”
The server brought us dessert and our drinks. Kai kept checking their phone.
“What would you like to do now?” I asked as I took a fork full of cake. I held it up to Kai for a bite.
“You’re going to feed me?” Kai asked.
“I don’t have to,” I said quickly, not wanting to overstep.
“It’s fine. It just makes me think of last night.” Kai’s head ducked in adorable embarrassment.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I mean, you did like it, right?” Steven asked, a little self-conscious.
“I thoroughly enjoyed myself last night. It was beyond expectations. A+, would recommend.” Kai opened their mouth and took a bite. Delight crossed their face. “That’s tasty. Love the caramel sauce. I like that it’s warm, though last night’s cake was excellent as well.”
“It really was. We’ll have to remember that place. I might want that for my birthday cake.” I’d saved the label on the box, because it was easier than going back to the farmer’s market, wandering around, and hoping they were there that day.
“Here, try a bite of mine.” Steven held out a forkful of chocolate cake and Kai tried it.
“Oh, that’s delicious. Very rich and decadent.” Kai took a sip of tea. “It’s a nice contrast between the two cakes.”
