Hilary stood off to the side of the restaurant, waiting for her dinner to be ready so that she could take it home and enjoy her quiet evening after work. She was tired and her feet ached from running around her office all-day

She opened her phone by habit, not surprised to see the lack of messages from the one person she wanted to hear from. Kai wasn't much for conversations via text, but he seemed to make an effort for her. Usually just checking in or confirming plans. She teased him that he texted like a dad, but if she were forced to admit anything, she'd say that she loved it.

There was a single tone as the door opened, another customer coming in. Hilary barely lifted her gaze from her phone but the familiar shape caught her attention.

Kai had noticed her first. He had stopped in the doorway, watching her. Hilary hurriedly put her phone away and stood up straighter.

"Hey," he said diverting his eyes and going to the counter to place his order.

Hey? That's all he had to say? They hadn't spoken in two weeks, and she wasn't sure what they were at that point, and all he could say was 'hey'?

Hilary could feel her temper rising, though this wasn't the time or place to let him have it.

Much to her surprise, he came to stand near her after he finished. When he caught her glare, he arched a single brow. "Yes?"

Hilary could strangle him. She shook her head, knowing if she opened her mouth, she wouldn't be able to stop the verbal assault.

"Are you planning on going to Tyson's reunion thing?"

She looked at him, disbelief coursing through her. She knew he wasn't the best at picking up emotions, but he had to know better than to push her now.

But the implications of him even being there? They found the place soon after Hilary moved into the neighborhood. It was within walking distance to her apartment and was always delicious. Kai would have to go out of his way to come here without her. So what was the purpose? Was he here to bother her? Taunt her? Make sure she remembered everything that was going wrong in her life?

The server called her order number and Hilary walked away from Kai, happy for the excuse not to answer. She grabbed her bag and walked out, not letting her eyes drift to Kai again. She imagined throwing the contents of the bag in his face and smearing it all around his hair. It'd take days to get it out.

Instead, Hilary walked the rest of the way to her apartment fuming. The air was cold but her anger kept her warm. She slammed the door open, turning the lock forcefully and dropping her keys on the table next to the door. Normally, she took great care during her nightly routine, making sure everything went back to its place, but at the moment she couldn't be bothered with any of it.

Putting her bag on the kitchen counter, she jerked her draw open and grabbed the utensils she needed. She was going dig into her dinner, watch something stupid on TV until an unreasonable hour, and then go to bed, unhappy but satisfied.

She cursed when she opened the container. "They forgot my spring rolls,"

Hilary felt like simultaneously screaming with rage and collapsing into a hopeless, teary heap. It was the last thing she needed on a bad day. Just as she was deciding the best course of action, there was a knock at her door.

As she rolled her eyes, she hoped whoever was on the other side was prepared to have a raging lunatic on their hands.

Kai leaned against her door frame looking bored as ever. Perfect, she thought. He'd have been her target of choice anyway.

"Of course, it's you. What? Bothering me at the restaurant wasn't enough, you needed to come here too? No, I don't know if I'm going to Tyson's reunion yet. Happy?"

He held up a small, white bag. Hilary fell silent as she looked at it, confused by his actions.

"Spring rolls,"

She grabbed them, refusing to look grateful for his offer. "They just gave you my order?"

"They couldn't catch you after you left, so I bought another order for you,"

"That's strangely nice of you," she grumbled, though she knew it wasn't. He always did things like that for her.

Kai always made sure she had what she needed.

They stood in silence for a moment. Hilary could feel her anger melting away like an ice cream cone on a summer day. But it had always been that way, hadn't it? With Tyson and Daichi, her anger could burn for days. However, with Kai, it seemed she could never get it to spark fully. Even when she was at her maddest, it was always a dull ember that could easily be put out.

How'd he do that?

"Is your heater okay now?"

"Yeah, she fixed it,"

"Good."

A thick blanket of guilt settled heavily over Hilary. "Do you want some?"

"I've got dinner in the car,"

"Oh, right," Embarrassment flooded her. That's why he was at the restaurant after all.

But Hilary knew if he wanted to, he'd come in and stay. He was just being polite.

"Well, then," she struggled with the words, "thanks for this, I guess."

He hummed, moving from the door as he got ready to leave. By habit, Hilary leaned forward, tilting her head the way she always did when he kissed her goodbye. And then she remembered.

Hilary's breath caught in her throat as she waited for Kai to make a decision. His dark eyes seemed just as surprised to be in the situation as she was. She hoped, blindly, that he'd lean in closer and just give in to what she knew they both wanted.

Kai cleared his throat. He backed away from her. Hilary felt her heart shattering like glass, the splinters slowly spreading like a spiderweb. This was worse than the time he kissed her on her doorstep and then left. This left her cold.

"I'll see you," he said as he turned around. She watched as he got back in his car and drove away.

Hilary wished he would come back. Her chest ached as she shut the door.

Kai always made sure she had what she needed. But what if she needed him the most?

Hello to all. Thank you again for reading this far. Any and all thoughts are welcomed. Take care please. See you Sunday - Konix