by Nia Arthurs
“What’s up with you?” she asked, smirk in place. “This is the seventh time you’ve visited the store in two weeks.”
“You’re counting?” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I didn’t know you cared.”
Jo smirked. “You wish. What do you want, Sunny?”
He frowned. “It’s Sun Gi.”
“Sunny rolls off the tongue though. Don’t you agree?”
He scoffed. Jo had made it a habit to poke fun at him every time they met. The routine was getting old. “I’ll just have a stuffed jack.”
While Jo served him, Sky bounced over. “Sun Gi, it’s great to see you again.”
“You too, Sky.” There. That was safe and unassuming.
“You should call ahead in the morning. I’ll set your order aside for you so you don’t have to waste your time waiting in line.”
He swallowed. “Yeah, sure. Thanks, Sky.”
Sky stepped aside to deal with the other customers and Jo took her place. She gave him the total and then eyed him.
He eased back. “What?”
“Why are your ears so red?”
His hand shot to cover an ear, and he felt the heat there. Embarrassed, he slapped the money into her hand and sprinted for the door.
Jo’s voice rang behind him. “Thank you, valued customer! Come again!”
The door slammed, ending the greeting.
Sun Gi clutched the warm plastic bag to his chest and barreled to his car. The moment he got in, he tossed the stuffed jack to the back seat and caught his breath.
He was getting sloppier. Today, he’d been able to shrug Jo off, but if he kept sniffing around Sky, it wouldn’t take long until they all saw right through him.
Sun Gi checked the time on his phone.
The meeting with the suppliers was supposed to start now.
Bo Young would kill him.
He called the manager and explained that he was running late. Next, he clicked the messenger app to read Hanna’s text.
HANNA: I arranged the dinner on Friday at Maruba Hotel. Don’t be late.
Sun Gi groaned and tossed the phone.
Today was his last day sneaking into Sweet Treats to spy on his brother’s girlfriend. No matter how much he liked her, they could never be together.
“Goodbye, Sky.” With a veneer of sadness, he started the car and drove away.
8
“Thank you valued customer?” Jo moaned pathetically and cringed. Why did she turn into an idiot every time Sun Gi came around her?
He’d looked so hot in his blue button-down and black slacks. She’d been eyeing him since he entered the bakery and stood in line, skimming the screen of his phone.
Of course, Sun Gi hadn’t given her the time of day. Even though Jo hated to admit it, she felt like he preferred Sky over her.
Which was fine. Sky was his brother’s girlfriend. Maybe he knew her better.
Or maybe you’re not pretty enough.
She steeled herself against the thought.
It was so strange. After the day on his yacht, he hadn’t looked her way again. At first, she thought it was because he was busy. Jo had glued herself to her cell phone and held her breath for days, waiting for him to call.
But he hadn’t.
That’s when she realized the truth.
Jo, like an idiot, had gone and fallen hard for Sun Gi all by herself, assuming that he was moving on from Hanna and was interested in her.
She’d been completely and totally wrong.
Now all that was left was a hollow ache in her chest whenever she saw the man she desperately wanted and couldn’t have.
Jo did her job at the counter, greeting customers and serving them with a smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. When the breakfast rush ended, she was eager to leave.
The morning hadn’t started out all that great even before she made a fool of herself in front of Sun Gi. Technically, Jo knew that Jewel hadn’t ‘stolen’ a job from her, but the disappointment remained.
If only she’d gotten to Sky first.
If only…
She sucked in a deep breath. No, she couldn’t think like that. It was obvious that Jewel needed this gig more than she did.
When her shift was over, Jo hustled out of Sweet Treats. With nothing better to do, she drove to the park and sat on a bench, surfing her phone for vacancies. Nothing matched her skill-set or tickled her fancy.
In the middle of her search, a shadow cut off her sunlight.
She glanced up and noticed a sprite older woman smiling down at her. Jo brightened and greeted in Korean. “Eun Jung-shi?”
“I was wondering if I was seeing right. You’re Lee Min-seo’s daughter, right?”
Jo nodded.
“How long has it been? Are you still in high school?”
“Wow, no. I’ve already graduated college.”
“Now I feel old.”
Jo laughed. “Would you like to sit?”
“No, I can’t.” Eun Jung rubbed her forehead. “I’m actually supposed to be working, but my child forgot her lunch so I was dropping it off before heading back.”
“Where do you work again?”
“At Ginseng Department Store.”
Jo pocketed her phone and asked lightly, “You wouldn’t happen to have a vacancy right now, would you?”
Eun Jung batted thin eyelashes. “Are you in-between jobs?”
“Sort of.”
“Don’t you work at your Halmoni’s store though?” Eun Jung tilted her head so that her long black hair splayed over her shoulder.
“I decided to try something new.” Jo forced a smile. “You know my mother and Halmoni would like nothing more than for me to order inventory and stock shelves at the store for the rest of my life.”
“It is a family business,” Eun Jung chuckled. “But I understand your frustration.” She tapped her chin. “You know, I did find it strange that I didn’t see you when I visited the store lately, but I assumed you were in the back.”
“Nope.”
“Well, I may be able to help.” Eun Jung slid over her business card. “I can’t guarantee anything, but we just so happened to be looking for someone with your skill set. You’ll have to order inventory and stock shelves though.”
“That’s not a problem. I was just complaining before.” Jo shot to her feet and bowed. “Thank you so much.”
Eun Jung laughed and waved her away. “What is all that?”
Jo straightened. “I won’t let you down.”
“You haven’t even gotten the job yet.”
“I will.”
“We’ll see.” Eun Jung smirked.
Jo dropped by the store and applied for the job. Two days later, she got the call.
She was in.
9
White capped waves moved back and forth to the call of the wind. The sun warmed the air. Huddled mangroves formed a wall in the distance.
A man stood at the hull of the boat. He was tall. Broad shoulders. Dressed in a flapping white shirt and shorts.
“Hi,” she said.
He turned around, pinned her with dark eyes that dripped in cold seduction. “Hey.”
She settled beside him, looking over the water. “It’s stunning isn’t it?”
“It’s calming.” He sat beside her. Their knees touched. He didn’t pull away. “Joana, right?”
“Jo.”
“Thanks for coming today.”
“I’m curious. Why me?” She studied his face, eyes unreadable behind dark shades. “I understand why you wanted Joon and Sky, but—”
“I wanted you.”
Her breath hitched. “What?”
“Who are you, Jo?” His lips curled up in a smile. “You make me… curious.”
His face moved closer.
Her eyes landed on his lips.
She moved forward to meet him and…
Her body landed flat on the carpet. Sharp pain shot through her leg and the palms of her hands. Jo shoved herself u
p, disturbed when she saw the insides of her bedroom instead of the stunning Caribbean display.
Was that a dream?
She sat up wearily and leaned her back against the leg of the bed. She’d dreamed of the day she fell for Sun Gi. Sans the kiss, of course. That part only happened in her fantasies.
Jo groaned and glanced at the clock on her stand.
She stiffened.
Shoot! Her new job!
She scrambled to get ready and then shot to the garage. Fifteen minutes later, she hustled through the doors of Ginseng Department Store and stopped in front of the conference room.
Jo swiped her sweaty palms against her khakis. With a deep breath, she opened the door, a bundle of nerves and excitement.
Eun Jung greeted her from the head of the conference table.
“Good morning,” Jo croaked.
“Good morning.” Eun Jung flashed her a welcoming grin. Turning to the other people in the room, she said, “Everyone, this is Joana Lee Gregory.” Eun Jung gestured for Jo to step forward.
She did, hiding her shyness behind a smile.
Four employees stared at her.
Three of them didn’t smile back.
The one who did was short and stocky with rich brown skin, light brown eyes and a well-groomed beard. Jo found comfort in his twinkling gaze and focused on him while Eun Jung completed her speech.
“I hope you all make Jo very comfortable and teach her the ropes. Since it’s a Friday, things will be extra busy in here so we’re throwing her off the deep-end, but I’m sure you can handle it. ”
“Thank you, Eun Jung-shi,” Jo whispered.
The older woman winked. “Anytime.”
Jo swallowed and walked ahead as Eun Jung sashayed through the door. Forcing her eyes away from the cute guy who had smiled at her, she nodded to the three girls instead. They all wore the store’s uniform of white polo and jeans.
“Hey!” She stuck out her hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
The tall, slim girl with braids frowned severely at her.
Confused, Jo moved her outstretched palm to the others. “Okay, then. Hi, I’m Joana but everyone calls me Jo.”
“No one cares.” The one with the braids stormed out of the room.
“What’s up with her?”
“Rhia’s not the problem,” the second girl snapped. “You are.”
“Me?”
“Forget it.” Rhia’s other friend, a thick woman who looked like she’d eaten one too many stuffed jacks, sneered.
“Forget what?” Jo asked, exasperated.
The two narrowed their eyes before following in Rhia’s footsteps and huffing away.
“What did I do?” Jo mumbled.
Cute Guy ambled up to her and took her lonely hand in his. “Hey, I’m Brighton.”
“Jo.”
His fingers were calloused and lightly scraped against her palm as he pumped it up and down. “Don’t mind them. They’re just embarrassed. The store’s not doing too well and we got scolded last week. If we don’t turn things around, we’re all getting fired.”
“I had no idea.”
“Rhia was supposed to get a promotion, but they brought you here instead,” Brighton explained. “So she’s upset.”
Jo frowned. “I’m not a manager or anything. I’m here to work, just like you guys.”
“But you know the supervisor personally.” Brighton pointed left where the administrative offices were. “So we just assumed...”
“Well, you’re wrong.”
“Hey, hey.” Brighton threw up his hands. “I’m not accusing you of anything. In fact, I’m glad you’re here.” He eyed her with a flirtatious smile. “You’re stunning, New Girl.”
Jo blinked. “Uh, thanks.”
“Just… watch your back.” Brighton warned. “Rhia can get nasty if you push her.”
Great. She’d barely worked here a minute and already a co-worker was out to get her.
“Don’t take it personally.” Brighton nudged her shoulder. “They’re just lashing out at anyone to take the blame off themselves.”
Jo let out a breath. She couldn’t control Rhia. The best thing to do was focus on work. “Can you show me around?”
Brighton let her shadow him that day. Her responsibilities were similar to the ones she’d had at her grandmother’s store so Jo fell into the rhythm of things quickly.
Rhia and her two cronies kept their distance. In a way, Jo was grateful. She didn’t want to deal with their bad energy on top of learning the ropes.
After lock up, Eun Jung stopped to check on her. “How was everything?” Her brown eyes fastened on Jo’s face. “You settling in?”
She squirmed in discomfort, casting a nervous glance at Rhia who shot her a dark glare. “It was fine.”
“I’m expecting great things from you, Jo. See you bright and early Monday.” Eun Jung strutted away.
Rhia cursed under her breath and stalked past.
“So… that won you no points,” Brighton said.
“You don’t need to remind me. I felt Rhia’s stare like two knives in the back of my head.”
“Hey,” he clutched his backpack strap and faced her, “if you need a stress reliever, I know a great place down by the pier. Ladies get in free.”
“Maybe another time.”
He strode closer to her and whispered, “I’ll hold you to that.”
Jo forced a smile.
A few minutes later, she tumbled into her vehicle and drove home. The engine idled outside the gate. She couldn’t bring herself to drive inside.
Friday night and she had nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Jo parked in front of her house and sulked in her car as she mentally paged through her options.
If she walked inside, she was staring down the barrel of another movie night with her parents. It wasn’t a bad gig, but she was looking for company that wouldn’t fall asleep at the strike of ten o’clock.
Jo pulled out her phone and thumbed through her starred contacts. Sky was the first name that popped up. She hesitated, wrestling with the desire to bother Sky on the weekend.
She would welcome her, Jo was sure, but she’d probably be with Joon Gi and there was only so much PDA that Jo could handle.
Carrie’s face popped into mind, but her friend would probably be working. Hidden Reef was a popular hangout spot and Friday nights were the busiest for any bar.
Jo chewed on her bottom lip. Should she still call and meet up after her shift?
Before Jo could decide on another route, Carrie’s number appeared on the screen. She brightened and picked up. “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”
“Really? It must be Fate then.”
“What’s up?”
Carrie’s voice chirped in her ears. “How do you feel about pulling on that mask and blessing us with your beautiful voice again?”
Jo started her car and backed out of the driveway. “Give me fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect.”
Jo got there in under ten.
Carrie was at the side entrance, a giant smile on her face. She’d pulled her hair into a ponytail and the mahogany strands streamed down her back. The light over the door shimmered against her ebony-colored skin.
“Girl, did you fly here?” Carrie laughed and dug her fingers into the skirt of her short dress.
Jo jogged toward her and followed Carrie inside. “I came as fast as I could.” Jo spotted the Chinese folding screen with its golden etches and smiled from the memories it brought. “I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t be. Stacie’s been fielding Nightingale requests for the past few weeks. Everyone is buzzing about you.”
“Nightingale. Is that what they’re calling me?”
Carrie nodded and shoved something at her.
“What’s this?” Jo shook the material out and watched the shimmering blue cloth unfurl to the ground. She gasped. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Nightingale should stand
out from the rest, right?” Carrie winked.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t go all teary-eyed on me. I bought it for a charity gala and never wore it again. I’m just glad that someone will get to use it.”
Jo pulled it to her chest. “How do I look?”
“Try it on!” Carrie wheeled her around and steered her toward the changing screen.
Jo chuckled and stripped behind the privacy of the screen.
Carrie’s voice carried over to her. “By the way, you owe me.”
“What for?” Jo stepped out of her pants and neatly folded it on the floor.
“Mr. Tall, Dark and Asian’s been searching the land for his Cinderella.”
“Tall, Dark and—you mean Sun Gi?”
“Yeah, he called me the other day asking for you.”
“No way.” Jo poked her head out of the stall. “You’re serious?”
Carrie’s eyes gleamed as she nodded. “Get this. When I didn’t give you up, he called Stacie. She gave me the third degree about letting strangers into the bar. She wanted your name. I kept my mouth shut though. No one knows you’re Nightingale except me.”
“I don’t know, Car… this is all starting to sound a little messy—”
“No, this is brilliant. You can’t believe how many guys drop by the bar hoping to see you. It’s been a disaster keeping all the other entertainers from quitting because of the blow to their ego.”
Jo sucked in a deep breath. She didn’t care about the other guys. She just cared about Sun Gi. Why was he so obsessed with finding out who she was?
Her pulse skittered.
Could he possibly like her?
Even if he did, it’s not really you, idiot.
Jo sank to her knees. “I feel sick.”
Carrie sprang behind the screen and spotted her on the ground. Jo drew her arms around her knees and brought them up to her chest.
Carrie knelt beside her, eyes filled with concern. “Jo, you’re shaking.”
“It’s too much.” She shook her head. “When I’m up there with this mask on, I become someone else. Someone sexier and more confident than the real me. Everyone’s building up so much hype around my persona. What happens when they find out I’m a fraud?” What happens if Sun Gi finds out?