Page 111 of Accidental Blind Date

“Thinking you want to get a beer? Because I want to get a beer,” Kai says, walking in the direction of the nearest bar.

“So does this mean you’re not mad at me anymore?” I ask, falling into step with him.

“Oh no, I’m still pretty fucking pissed. It’s just if I have a beer in my hand I’m less likely to do anything about it.”

I smirk at that too. The fact we are joking about it is a good sign. After we are sitting at a high top with two pints in front of us and an order of wings on the way, we level with each other.

“No more fighting,” he says before taking a sip.

“I mean if you’re not holding a grudge then I appreciate–”

Kai makes a sour face and waves his hand. “No, not us. Fuck us. I mean you and Libby. You need to sort your shit out.”

“You…want me to make up with your sister?”

“You broke her heart. That’s a bigger deal to me than finding out you two have been fucking around.”

“Did she tell you that?” I ask. “That I broke her heart.”

He drums his fingers on his glass. “Yeah.”

“I know I fucked up. I shouldn’t have pretended to be her date.”

“True.”

“I should have gone over there, told her that her real date was a no call, no show, and that I wanted to buy her a drink.”

“So why didn’t you do that?” he asks.

“Because I saw him. He did show, actually. He looked right at her, and he dipped. And I just couldn’t see how a man couldlook at Libby, no offence, and walk away. She looked beautiful. But more than that, she was so happy to be there. And so brave. And I just…I didn’t want her to know that he didn’t want her, you know?”

Kai leans back in his chair, nursing his beer. I can’t fully read his expression but since he’s Kai, I know I’m going to hear what he’s thinking in a short time.

“My sister’s been through a lot,” he starts in after taking in a deep breath. “She’s never been the girl that turns heads when she walks in a room.”

“I don’t get that,” I say.

“Of course you don’t. Because you go for girls based on personality and vibe nothing else. But you’re right. My sister is very beautiful. And she has a strong head and a strong mind and she’s not afraid to be exactly who she is. And guys can spot that kind of energy a mile away. And most guys, shallow guys, one-night stand kinda guys…”

“They run off,” I state.

“They won’t touch a woman like that with a ten-foot pole,” he says. “But you’re not most guys. You never had to lie to her, Dax. She would have liked you either way.”

“She thinks I did it, so I’d have a girlfriend when I go to court. Because it’ll look more stable or some shit.”

“Did you?” he asks.

“What the fuck? No.”

“So, prove it. Fight for her. Libby has fought a lot of battles, Dax. But no one has ever had the balls to fight for her.”

“And if she doesn’t want me?” I ask.

“Then she doesn’t. But I don’t think that’s the case. She wouldn’t be locked up in her little hippy apartment, eating rocky road ice cream, and watching Bridget Jones on repeat if she didn’t want you.”

The wings come and we take a moment to eat and drink and let all the sentimental talk fade a bit. Round two comes and I take a sip of the cold brew, relishing it. “So, you really don’t care if I’m with your sister?”

“Oh, I care. So, there’s going to be rules. One– no PDA.”