"Because I keep disappointing you?"

"No."

She looked away.

"Because you keep choosing everyone else."

Kai didn't answer.

Jenny immediately regretted saying it.

She hated how honest it sounded.

They still had lunch.

But the mood was terrible.

Jenny barely touched her food.

Kai watched her from across the table.

"Are you angry?"

"No."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"You haven't spoken in ten minutes."

"I'm eating."

"You've been moving the same piece of food around your plate."

Jenny looked down.

She had.

She sighed.

"You know what your problem is?"

Kai leaned back.

"What?"

"You can't say no to anyone."

Kai thought about it.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

He shrugged.

"If someone needs help..."

"There it is."

Jenny shook her head.

"You don't even realize how ridiculous you sound."

Kai smiled slightly.

"You were worried."

Jenny's eyes immediately lifted.

"Don't flatter yourself."

"You called twenty-seven times."

"I was angry."

"Because you were worried."

"I was angry."

Kai smiled.

Jenny glared at him.

"Stop smiling."

"I'm not."

"You are."

He laughed.

And despite herself, Jenny almost smiled too.

Almost.

That afternoon, Jenny went back to the workshop.

She told herself she was only there because she had left her sunglasses.

They were sitting on the workbench.

Exactly where she'd left them.

Kai looked at her.

"You came back."

"I'm getting my sunglasses."

"They're in your hand."

Jenny looked down.

She was already holding them.

She became quiet.

Kai smiled.

"You forgot why you came."

"I did not."

"You did."

She rolled her eyes and sat down.

Kai returned to repairing a motorcycle.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Then Jenny noticed the cuts across his fingers.

She frowned.

"Your hands."

Kai looked down.

"What about them?"

"They're bleeding."

"It's nothing."

"You always say that."

Jenny opened her handbag and pulled out a small first-aid kit.

Kai looked at her.

"You carry that around?"

"For emergencies."

"You consider me an emergency?"

Jenny took his hand.

"I consider you irresponsible."