Page 101 of Lose You Twice

Wow. Excellent conversation skills. Riveting, really.

Weston looks between us, far too interested.

Kai’s mouth shifts like he might say something else, but whatever it is, he thinks better of it. I know that look.

“Good luck tonight,” I say, because apparently I’ve chosen survival through generic phrases.

“Thanks,” he says, giving me a small, almost shy smile before walking away.

It’s such a normal exchange that it should not make my stomach flip.

Weston’s eyebrows shoot up, and then he does the most obnoxious eyebrow waggle I have ever witnessed. The whole upper half of his face gets involved.

I glare at him. He waggles harder, and I whack him with a towel, causing him to let out a small yelp.

Kai turns back toward us.

Weston immediately straightens. “Captain. Beautiful weather we’re having indoors.”

Kai stares.

Weston takes one step backward. “I’m going to go mentally prepare for our game now.”

“You do that,” Kai says.

Weston points at me as he retreats. “Laundry Duchess, we’ll revisit branding later.”

“No, we won’t.”

He disappears into the locker room, still grinning.

Kai looks back at me, and the air between us warms again. Not as dangerous as the hotel room. Not as overwhelming as waking up under his arm. But close enough to make me aware of every inch of space we’re not closing.

“Sorry,” he says.

“For Weston?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s harmless.”

Kai’s expression flickers.

Not quite agreement.

“He’s mostly harmless,” I correct.

“That’s closer.”

I look down at the lace in my hands before I do something stupid, like keep smiling at him. “You should go do captain things.”

“I am doing captain things.”

“Standing in the equipment room?”

“Checking supplies.”

I lift the lace. “For moral support?”