Sunday arrived far too quickly. At least, that was what Kai told himself when he woke up. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Today was Sunday. Today he was seeing Adrian. Again. Kai turned over and pulled the blanket over his head. “Why am I nervous?” No answer came. He threw the blanket aside. “This isn’t a first date.” A pause. “Probably.” Another pause. “Maybe.” Kai groaned. This was becoming embarrassing. He got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, he stood in front of his wardrobe. He stared at his clothes. Then at his reflection. Then back at his clothes. A knock sounded. Noah opened the door without waiting. “You’ve been standing there for ten minutes.” “I’m choosing.” “For lunch?” “Yes.” Noah looked at him suspiciously. “With your rich man?” Kai turned. “He’s not my rich man.” “Then why are you dressing like you’re going to meet the president?” “I’m not.” Noah picked up a shirt from the bed. “This one.” Kai took it. “Why?” “Because it looks good.” Kai narrowed his eyes. “You’re enjoying this.” “Very much.” He disappeared before Kai could throw anything at him. Kai looked at the shirt. Then smiled. ⸻ At exactly one o’clock, Adrian’s car stopped outside the Anderson house. Kai stepped outside a few minutes later. Adrian got out. He wasn’t wearing a suit. That alone made Kai pause. A dark shirt. Simple trousers. No tie. No intimidating boardroom expression. Just Adrian. Kai walked toward him. “You look different.” Adrian glanced down at himself. “Different?” “Less terrifying.” “Is that disappointing?” Kai smiled. “A little.” Adrian opened the passenger door for him. “Get in.” Kai raised an eyebrow. “Still bossy.” “Still difficult.” “Good.” He got into the car. Adrian closed the door. For a few seconds after he entered the driver’s seat, neither spoke. Then Adrian looked at him. “You look good.” Kai blinked. “That’s all?” “What did you want?” “Something more impressive.” Adrian considered it. “You look very good.” Kai smiled. “Better.” Adrian shook his head and started driving. ⸻ They didn’t go anywhere extravagant. No private dining room. No expensive hotel. No photographers. Just a quiet restaurant on the other side of the city. Kai looked around when they entered. “This is normal.” “That’s the idea.” They were seated near a window. Kai looked at the menu. Then at Adrian. “You’re not going to order for me?” “No.” “You’re learning.” “I listen.” Kai looked up. The words were simple. But they stayed with him. During lunch, they talked about ordinary things. Kai complained about his anatomy professor. Adrian talked about an executive who had spent forty minutes arguing over a clause that eventually changed by three words. Kai laughed. “You deal with that every day?” “Unfortunately.” “I don’t know how you survive.” “I ask myself the same question.” Kai looked at him. “You actually have a sense of humor.” “Occasionally.” “I thought CEOs weren’t allowed to laugh.” “They aren’t.” Kai laughed again. Adrian watched him. He liked that sound. More than he wanted to admit. After lunch, they walked through a nearby park. There were families everywhere. Children running around. Couples sitting beneath trees. People enjoying an ordinary Sunday afternoon. Kai looked around. “This is nice.” Adrian nodded. “Yes.” They walked in silence for a while. Their hands brushed once. Then again. Neither moved away. Finally, Adrian reached for Kai’s hand. Kai looked down. Adrian’s fingers closed around his. This time, Kai didn’t feel surprised. He simply let him. “You do that a lot,” Kai murmured. “Do what?” “Hold my hand.” Adrian looked ahead. “I like holding your hand.” Kai’s heart skipped. “You say things like that too casually.” “Should I stop?” Kai tightened his fingers around Adrian’s. “No.” Adrian looked at him. Kai smiled. “Don’t stop.” Something softened in Adrian’s expression. They continued walking. ⸻ Later, they stopped at a small café. Kai ordered a drink. Adrian ordered coffee. Kai took one sip of his drink and immediately frowned. “This is terrible.” Adrian looked at him. “You chose it.” “I was misled by the menu.” “How?” “It sounded better.” Adrian took the cup from him and tried it. His expression didn’t change. “It’s fine.” Kai stared at him. “You have no taste.” “I run a corporation.” “That’s not a defense.” Adrian actually laughed. Kai went quiet. There it was again. That rare, genuine laugh. He realized he wanted to hear it more often. Adrian noticed his silence. “What?” “Nothing.” “You’re staring.” “I was thinking.” “About?” Kai looked away. “Nothing important.” Adrian didn’t push. Instead, he reached across the table and touched Kai’s fingers. The gesture was small. But it made Kai look back at him. “You’re quiet,” Adrian said. “Sometimes I think.” “I’ve noticed.” Kai smiled. Then his expression became more serious. “Adrian.” “Yes?” “What happens when this stops being simple?” Adrian didn’t answer immediately. Kai looked down. “We’re different.” “I know.” “You have a whole world around you that I don’t understand.” “I know.” “And I’m still trying to figure out what I feel.” Adrian’s fingers remained around his. “You don’t have to figure it out today.” Kai looked at him. “What if I take too long?” “I’ll wait.” “Why?” Adrian’s gaze didn’t waver. “Because I want you.” Kai’s breath caught. Adrian continued quietly. “Not because you’re beautiful. Not because you’re interesting. Not because you’re different.” He paused. “I want you because when you’re around, I don’t feel like I have to be Adrian Blake.” Kai stared at him. “Then who are you?” Adrian’s mouth curved slightly. “Just Adrian.” Kai smiled. “That’s better.” ⸻ By the time Adrian drove Kai home, the sun had begun to disappear. The car stopped outside the Anderson house. Neither immediately moved. Kai looked out the window. “Today was nice.” “Yes.” “Very normal.” “I wanted that.” Kai nodded. Then he looked at Adrian. “Thank you.” Adrian studied him. “For what?” “For not making everything complicated.” A faint smile touched Adrian’s lips. “I thought you were the one who made everything complicated.” “I do.” Kai opened the door. Before getting out, he turned back. “Good night, Adrian.” “It’s still early.” “I know.” Kai smiled. “I just wanted to say it.” He stepped out. Adrian watched him walk toward the house. Kai reached the door. Then stopped. He turned around. Adrian was still there. Their eyes met across the short distance. Kai smiled. Adrian smiled back. Kai went inside. Only after the door closed did Adrian finally drive away. ⸻ Kai entered the house quietly. Noah was sitting on the couch. He looked at Kai. Then at the window. Then back at Kai. “How was your date?” Kai froze. “It wasn’t a date.” Noah grinned. “Sure.” Kai walked past him. “Good night.” “It’s six-thirty.” “I know.” “You said good night.” “I changed my mind.” Noah laughed. Kai reached his room and closed the door. He leaned against it. His heart was still beating too fast. He smiled. Then slowly slid down until he was sitting on the floor. He covered his face with both hands. He was falling. Not quickly. Not recklessly. But steadily. And for the first time, that realization didn’t frighten him. It made him happy. Across the city, Adrian stopped at a red light. His phone buzzed. A message from Kai. Kai: I had a good time today. Adrian smiled. He typed: Adrian: So did I. A second later, another message arrived. Kai: Next time, I’m choosing the restaurant. Adrian replied: Adrian: Deal. Kai stared at the screen. Then smiled. There would be a next time. Neither of them needed to say what that meant. Not yet. For now, it was enough to know that they both wanted one.