Page 24 of Something So Strong

JESS: Touché. But it would be very much appreciated.

MAVIS: You still haven’t told me what I get out of the transaction.

JESS: My everlasting gratitude.

MAVIS: ??

JESS: That’s not nice

MAVIS: Sorry. Just so tired from work.

MAVIS: . . .

My eyes drift back over to Kai as I wait for Mavis to finish typing.

He looks different from behind. Leaner. Smaller. The oversized knit sweater he has on is so big it almost hits his knees. It reminds me of a kid trying on their dad’s clothes, pretending to be grown up and smart and in control. But from the front, he’s everything I envy. Even his style is on point. The V of the sweater is low enough to show off some of his chest tattoos, the sleeves are bunched at his elbows, and the front hem is tucked into a pair of baggy black trousers like he just stepped off a Tokyo runway. And he’s got bare feet, because why would anyone that cool ever need to wear shoes?

“They’re ready,” he says, grabbing some plates from the cupboard above the sink.

I hum in reply and shift focus back to my chat with Mavis.

“Fuck!” I exhale sharply at the picture she attached. Her uniform is better than I expected. Black fishnet stockings, a black bodysuit, a white apron that covers nothing, and all topped off with some frilly ribbon thing on her head.

“Did you say something?” Kai asks over his shoulder.

“Oh… no.” I lock my phone quickly and return it to the table. “Just a message from a friend.”

“Anyone I know?” All the bravo and command have disappeared from his voice.

“Yeah, actually. Mavis. From the airport.”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“Fuck no,” I laugh, ‘cause if she was my girlfriend, I wouldn’t be sitting in an empty kitchen gearing up to eat a toastie when I could be fully exploring that sexy outfit.

“Sorry… You guys looked close, that’s all.”

Yeah? So why were you trying to fuck her in front of me then? “We’re just friends. Only met her on the last flight… She’s a great lass, though.”

“She seems it.” With a plate in each hand, Kai approaches the table. Placing one in front of me, I watch as he stares at my can of Sprite before stepping back and taking a seat. “I’m sorry.”

“Mate, it’s just a toasted sandwich. How badly can you fuck it up?”

“No. About what I said before… I mean… I’m not gay, but there’s nothing wrong with being that way.”

“Yeah, no shit. But what are you apologizing to me for?”

Kai’s lips tighten and it looks a whole lot like he’s trying to stifle a smile.

Wait! “Have you been fucking with me because you thought I was gay?”

The corners of his mouth tug upwards until a wide smile reaches his cheeks. “Honestly? No… I think you’re intriguing and easy on the eyes. But…” He pauses, his voice dripping with cockiness like he’s never doubted himself in his entire life. “Let’s just say guys rarely flirt back. Straight ones, anyway. Then, when you said you and Mavis weren’t together, I thought—”

“Well, you thought wrong! Very wrong. And I fucked Mavis, by the way.”

“Congratulations.” Chin up, Kai slouches in his chair. “Can’t say I’m not jealous. An ass that fine doesn’t come along often.”

“So what’s your deal, then? Is screwing with me just a fun way to pass the time?”

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