Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 14

Sara

The next day Kai and Sara met up in the library after class. They found a table in a corner and sat down to work. Kai didn't suggest a private room this time and he happily sat down at the table to work on their project. He also didn't bring up what she had told him the previous night, which she was thankful for. She hadn't meant to tell him. She never tells anyone. Kai also stopped bringing up their high school days. While she wasn't completely relaxed around him, she had eased up some, and it no longer felt like she was walking on eggshells.

She would occasionally catch Kai looking at her with a curious look on his face. Each time she caught him she would blush a little and look away.

They discussed the various aspects of their project and the different businesses or foundation to partner with. Sara had suggested working with a local animal rescue, since she works with them on a near daily basis she had a report built already with their director. Kai seemed to like that idea and they were busy working on their project proposal, which was due on Tuesday.

Kai would help with various technological needs of the rescue, updating firmware, revamping their website, and any other needs they may have. Sara would work with the rescue team in bringing in animals that desperately needed pulled from shelters and set up adoption events each weekend.

Feeling like they had a good proposition for the rescue, Sara left to make the call to the Ashley, director of Dusty Paws. She was a fun, eccentric woman that Sara has helped before in a few rescues.

Sara made her speech and Ashley sounded delighted to have more volunteer work, especially the skills Kai would bring to the team. Kai was even going to see what his work could offer by way of equipment to the rescue. With Ashley's seal of approval, Sara ended the call and headed back over to where Kai was. Ashley was going to send an email with approval for the project so they could submit it with their application.

She found Kai at the table with tall blonde-haired woman draped all over him trying to eat his face off. Feeling slightly annoyed at the way the woman was clinging to Kai and the very public display of affection, Sara sat down.

"So" Sara started, trying to ignore the who-is-this-chick look the woman was sending her way, Sara updated Kai on her phone call. "Ashley thinks the project is a good one and she's excited to work with us this semester."

"That sounds great" Kai said trying to look at her over the blonde's shoulder. He rolled his eyes and mouthed sorry and nodded to the lady on his lap. Sara gave a little chuckle. "Sara, this—" he tried to shift the woman so he could see Sara better, "is Chelsea. The one I told you about."

Chelsea glanced at Sara with displeasure spread across her face. "Can we help you?" Chelsea asked, her voice had a shrill, nasally tone. "Kai and I are a bit busy at the moment."

Sara's eyes went wide, and she was mentally face palming herself. "Actually," Sara deadpanned, "Kai and I are in the middle of an assignment. We'd be much more productive if you would stop trying to eat his face off every two seconds."

Chelsea gasped, "Kai!" she screeched and looked at him in fury when he didn't say anything, "You can't let her talk to me that way!"

Kai just chuckled and his eyes sparkled with amusement. Sara's heart gave a start and the feeling shocked her a little.

"Sara's right Chelsea," Kai looked at his guest, "She and I have a lot of work that needs done this weekend for our project and I also have a computer thing I need to help with at work this evening. I also need to help a friend with their car. I may not be able to spend much time with you this weekend."

"But Kai! I traveled all this way just to see you" Chelsea ran her fingers through his hair. "It's not fair if you ignore me all weekend" then she leaned into his ear and whispered something Sara couldn't quite make out, but she caught the gist of it based on his bulging, wide-eyed reaction and the way he shifted uncomfortably. Chelsea giggled like a schoolgirl when she pulled back.

"Well," Kai coughed, "I could probably take you to lunch tomorrow, but I'm swamped. You should have given me more notice and I could have planned things around your visit."

"Fine." Chelsea growled and then stood up. Sara marveled at how tall she was. She could probably be a runway model with her high cheek bones and her perfect, narrow face. Chelsea looked at Sara as if she was taunting her, and then leaned down to kiss Kai before handing him something. "Come see me in my hotel tonight. I'll make it... worth your while"

"I'll try, but no guarantees" he said with a frown.

Chelsea looked and glared at Sara once more, almost as if she was warning her to stay away, then turned and left, drawing the eyes of nearly everyone as she strutted to the elevator.

"Well," Sara said once the elevator doors closed on Chelsea, "She seems like a ball of fun. I can see why you like her. Her voice is definitely... unique," She teased.

Kai gave a few loud laughs, "Oh yes, every time she speaks I can't wait to shut her up"

"Do you really have a work project tonight?" She asked

"Yes, we're updating a server at a client's site, and it has to be done after-hours. Most of it can really be done remotely, but they want to show me around this particular client since I'm going to be the main point of contact for them in the coming weeks. I'll need to do some work in the morning as well. Make sure things are working like they should before everyone comes back to work Monday morning. It was supposed to happen next weekend, but I asked if we could push it up a week, so I had an excuse to bail on Chelsea."

They continued working on writing up their proposal and writing down any potential obstacles and plans to circumvent them if they occurred. They made good headway before Sara needed to head into work. She needed to speak with Jerry about what resources and guidance the shelter could help provide for their project.

Kai walked her to his truck. He was going to give her a ride to work, and Casey would pick her up after she was done with work.

"So, I'll message you during one of my breaks and let you know what Jerry says and what paperwork we need to do to request help." She was trying to keep the conversation light as he drove her to the shelter.

"Why don't we go over those tomorrow evening, at my place? I'd like to get those submitted before we submit our proposal, so everything is already underway. I can order us pizza or something and we can work on them" Kai ran his hand through his hair and then put his hands back on the steering wheel. They pulled into the parking lot and they both got out.

"That sounds great" Sara smiled, "I'll see if there's anything we need to fill out for Dusty Paws as well. I'm sure there is."

"Great," he shifted onto the balls of his feet, then back down to the heels. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll plan on stopping by right after lunch to replace the starter on your car." Then gave her a genuine smile before walking off towards his truck.

Sara headed into the building. Tomorrow's work seemed an awful lot like a date, but she knew they just needed to work on their project. Don't read too much into this, it's not a date! However, Sara couldn't help but feel those butterflies fly around knowing she'd see him tomorrow.