“His identical twin brother,” Jo pointed out. “So… you know, kind of similar types, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yeah, but they’re also their own people. River’s emotions are so big, and he’s all effusive and happy. But Kai is, like, reserved. He moves differently and talks differently.” I tilted my head to the side, trying to explain. “They’re both sweet, though. And genuine. I think when I was a kid, I saw that in them both, but my junior high brain couldn’t get beyond all of River’s big emotions to realize how special Kai was.”
“In seventh grade, Leela Becker started wearing bright green lipstick, and I thought it meant I was supposed to marry her.”
“If River had worn bright green lipstick, I would have melted in social studies class.”
“What about Kai?”
I tried to picture Kai with lime lipstick on, painted over the usual steady expression on his face, and burst out laughing. “It’s not really his style. But I don’t want it to be! River’s not my type anymore, not to mention the fact that he’s married. Being with someone that social and outgoing would give me an anxiety attack. But all of a sudden, Kai is my type, in practically every way I can think of.” I wrinkled my nose. “Is that gross of me?”
“If you’ve crushed on one twin, you can’t go for the other?”
From the box, I lifted an old flower vase. “Something like that.”
“I think it’s only a problem if you’ve hooked up with one of them.”
“But should I tell him?”
“That you had a crush on his brother?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, although my stomach clenched at the very idea of having that conversation.
“Probably at some point, if you get serious. It would be weird to keep something like that a secret. But I think a sufficient amount of time has passed since junior high that you all get a clean slate.” She laughed, then sat up on the couch. “You’re adult Izzy now.”
“Then why am I still carrying around a Gameboy Color from 1999?” I asked, pulling it from the box.
Jo rolled her eyes. “Because you’re a weirdo. Why is your old Gameboy giving you a confidence crisis?”
“It’s just old family stuff. You know, Kai and River had a happy family growing up, and now Kai runs a fancy business, and River’s married and organizing the film festival, and they both own their condos.” I sighed, then gestured around my studio. “And maybe, since I didn’t have any of what they had when I was growing up, like the support they got from their moms and everything, I won’t have any of it now, either.”
“You have a wonderful life, Izzy. And you’re normally proud of the work you do, as you should be.” She tightened her brow. “Has this Kai guy been putting you down?”
“No,” I laughed, impressed by her defensiveness. “It’s just… His suit for the wedding probably cost as much as my car. What if I try to have him over, and he sits in my bed and looks at my fridge, like I do every night, and decides I’m not worth his time?”
Jo turned and glanced at the fridge. “So what? Do you really think he’d care?”
I frowned. “No. He would probably just compliment the place,” I admitted.
“You’re like me,” Jo said brightly. “I’m not working at the wildlife rehabilitation center because I think it’s going to make me rich or pay for my vacation home. But we’re happy, and anyone who doesn’t appreciate that isn’t worth our time.”
I groaned and threw my arms across the bed as I buried my face in the mattress. “Heisworth my time. He appreciates all of those things about me. He kissed me in the rain and he laughs at my dorky jokes and he is totally worth my time.”
“Pardon me? Did a muffled voice just emerge from the bed? Something about a kiss in the rain, was it?”
I pulled my head back up, and Jo stared at me, a grin curving her round cheeks.
“I said Kai is totally worth my time.”
“Sounds like it. Now come on, try on some date outfits for me. You’ve got to get ready for this weekend, and I haven’t even started grilling you about the hookup yet.”
* * *
“Hey cutie.”
Kai greeted me as I stepped onto the street. It was the night of our date, and he looked incredibly handsome in a pair of gray slacks and a buttoned-up white shirt, with a steady smile on his face and the early evening light glowing around him.
“Hi, um, Kai,” I answered, already fumbling over my words as I met him for a hug.
