by Nia Arthurs
“You’re incredible.” A note of awe trembled his voice. “No wonder Rhia and the rest feel so threatened.”
“Thanks, but I’m not that special. This is Business 101.”
“You studied business in college?”
“Yeah, but to be honest, I learned a lot more from working in a store since I was eleven. Halmoni taught me everything she knew about buying patterns and consumerism. In fact, she believed that everyone had the potential to—”
“Halmoni?” Brighton furrowed his eyebrows.
“Sorry.” Jo ducked her head. “Halmoni means grandmother in Korean.”
Brighton slipped his hands into his pants and leaned against the counter. “How exotic.”
Jo chose not to respond. Few people could tell that she was half-Korean by looking at her. Because her eyes were narrow and deep-set but her skin was dark, Jo had been mistaken for Filipino, Hawaiian and Dominican.
Brighton studied her face. “Did I offend you?”
“No, it’s cool.”
“I’m sorry. I talk too much sometimes. My mother always told me I needed to watch my mouth before it got me in trouble. ”
“Really, it’s okay.” Jo shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
“Being offended?”
Jo laughed. “No. People being confused about my race.”
Brighton smiled with her. “Hey, I’m in no position to judge anyone. My family tree is so mixed up I don’t know what I am. Mayan? Creole? Spanish?” He shook his head. “But who cares? We’re all humans anyway.”
“True.” Jo bobbed her head. “But I would argue that it’s important to know where you come from. We’re all human, but we’re all so unique. A lot of who we are and what we know stems from our culture.”
Brighton smirked at her.
Jo turned self-conscious. “What?”
“Man, it’s like every time you open your mouth, something smart falls out of it.”
Jo chuckled. “You’re trying to butter me up, aren’t you?”
“Hey,” he defended with a mischievous smirk, “I only speak the truth.”
“Yeah, right.” She grinned. “So… why are you still here? Everyone left already.”
“Honestly? I was waiting for you.”
Discomfort soared through her. It wasn’t the kind of unease that rippled down her spine when she saw an unsavory character in a dark alley. It was more like… the way she felt when Sky sped up on a yellow light.
Jo wasn’t blind. She knew that Brighton had been vibing her since they first met a few weeks ago, but she was hoping he’d pick up on her cues and not make things awkward between them.
The silence lingered as Jo struggled for something to say.
“Need some help?” Brighton crouched beside her, so close their knees touched.
Jo scooted away. “If you want.”
Brighton stretched his long legs out and picked up a battery pack. “So, Jo?”
“Yeah.” She tucked another battery pack on the hook.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Her brain instantly conjured Sun Gi’s face. She dug her teeth into her bottom lip in anger. That had been happening a lot lately.
Not the lip gnawing.
Sun Gi. He’d flash into her mind at the slightest provocation. She couldn’t control her own thoughts anymore. It was beyond frustrating, especially when she’d made it her mission in life to avoid him.
“Is there anyone?” Brighton prodded.
Her heart thundered loudly, booming through her ribs, straight past her flesh and out into the open like a congo drum. Jo was sure that Brighton could hear it.
Calm down, girl. Pull it together.
“Jo?”
“Me? Yeah.”
“Yeah, you have a boyfriend?”
“No!” She flailed her arms.
Brighton stared at her like she was insane.
And maybe she was.
“I mean,” Jo quieted and straightened the hem of her shirt, “I don’t. I’m single.”
Brighton leaned back, smoothly ignoring her outburst. “What kind of guy are you looking for?”
“These are random questions.”
Brighton stopped hooking the batteries and folded his arms over his chest. “Humor me.”
Jo tilted her head. “Okay. Fine.” She rubbed her chin and mulled it over seriously.
“I want someone who’s considerate and humble.”
The opposite of Sun Gi.
“He has to be gentle, not just with me but with everyone.”
Again, not Sun Gi.
“Someone who makes me laugh.”
I guess that one counts a little?
No, it didn’t.
The only thing Sun Gi had done was make her burn—both with anger and desire. Objectively, she had no business thinking about him.
So why couldn’t she get him out of her head?
Jo squeezed her eyes shut, nearly groaning in frustration when Sun Gi’s face appeared. The man was tattooed on the back of her eyelids. Every strand of his black hair, his brows, his dark eyes, sloping nose and those stupidly perfect lips—they taunted her.
“That’s a specific list,” Brighton said.
Jo bucked in fright. She’d forgotten that Brighton was sitting there. “What do you mean?”
“Most girls want a guy who’s handsome,” he lifted one finger, “charming,” he lifted another, “with a job, a house, and a car.” He held up all five fingers. “I didn’t hear any of that.”
“Because tons of jerks are handsome, charming and have money. I’m trying not to learn lessons the hard way, at least as much as I can help it.”
“You’re different, Jo.”
“Because I’m mixed?” she joked.
“No, because you’re smart, funny and gorgeous.”
She squirmed. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
Brighton scooted toward her. “You know, Jo, I’m all those things you mentioned.”
“Um…”
“I’m handsome and charming as well as kind and considerate.”
She laughed nervously. “Didn’t you refuse to help Rhia with her stock today when she asked?”
“I ignored Rhia because she’s mean to you.” His gaze dipped to the ground. “I’d treat anyone that way if I saw them hating on you, Jo.”
“I appreciate that, Brighton, but it’s unnecessary. Really. I don’t care about Rhia. Although,” a sneaky grin spread on her face, “I think she might have feelings for you.” Jo wiggled her finger. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is watching.”
“Wait,” he licked his lips in exasperation, “why are we talking about Rhia? This is about you and me.”
Jo laughed. “No, it’s not.”
“Jo—” Brighton captured her finger and held it in his grip. She sucked in a stunned breath. When she tried to shake her hand free, Brighton held on. Bowing his head, he asked shakily, “If you want, maybe sometime we could—?”
Jo wrenched her arm back and hopped to her feet. “It looks like we’re almost done here.”
Brighton glanced at the batteries scattered on the floor. “But there’s a lot left.”
“We can’t stuff them all on the displays or they’ll look too obvious. I’ll re-fill the hooks when these sell out.” She stooped and gathered the batteries into a pile so she could dump them back in the box.
Please don’t ask me out. Please.
She cleared her throat. “You don’t have to stay with me, Brighton. I can finish this up on my own.”
Brighton blinked rapidly. Jo held her breath as she waited for his response. It killed her to hurt his feelings, but the last thing she wanted to do was reject Brighton’s advances.
He was her only friend in this store.
Jo forced a chuckle. “Go. Thanks for staying back with me, but it’s late.”
“Okay.” He slowly got to his feet, a frown marring his handsome face.
Jo studied Brighton—his beautiful skin t
one, his bright eyes, his easy smile. She tried to sum up an ounce of care, a whiff of attraction.
She couldn’t.
It wasn’t his fault. Brighton was a great guy, but she wasn’t ready for a relationship. Not with him or anyone else.
Jo had to sit down and reflect on her crumbling morals that made it okay to thirst for super cold, super engaged men first. Then maybe she’d be deserving of someone like him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Brighton said stiffly.
Jo waved.
As he walked off, she noticed Brighton slip something shiny into his pocket. Her eyes sharpened on the movement. Isn’t that the battery pack?
Clamping her fingers on his arm, she whispered, “Wait.”
Brighton spun, hope rising in his brown eyes. “You changed your mind?”
“No, it’s not that.” Jo shook her head. “I think you might have taken a battery pack by mistake.”
“It wasn’t by mistake.”
“It wasn’t?”
“Nope.” There was no guilt, no discomfort, in his tone. He tugged the pack out and brandished it proudly.
“You know that’s stealing, right?” Jo pointed out.
“Nah. It’s from the old stock that we couldn’t sell. Besides, the guy who owns this place is raking in the dough. He won’t miss one little battery pack. It’s not a big deal.”
Jo’s sense of justice burned her, but she pasted a smile on her face and backed off. There were plenty of things that she could argue about—ethics, morality, but she was too tired and she didn’t want to fend off Brighton any more today.
As Brighton swaggered off with his stolen wares, Jo sighed and tried to wipe it from her mind.
A few minutes later, she headed home and fell wearily into bed, praying that she didn’t dream of Sun Gi that night.
Spoiler alert.
She did.
The next morning, Jo woke up in a horrible mood and headed to work at Sweet Treats.
Sky met her at the door with her usual grin in place. “Hey, girl. You okay?”
“Coffee.” Jo grunted.
Jewel shuffled past, her chin ducked to her chest. She shot Jo a quick, frightened look before whispering good morning and running into the kitchen.
“She okay?” Jo asked, tipping her mug that way.
“She’s fine.” Sky shrugged. “I’m more worried about you. Is something going on?”
“Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know. You just haven’t been yourself lately. You seem heavy.”
I can’t stop thinking about a soon-to-be married man. Jo opened her mouth. “I… I’m fine. Nothing to see here.”
“Okay.” Sky patted her shoulder. “I’m here if you need me.”
Jo watched her friend walk off and wilted against the wall. Maybe she should flirt with Brighton. At this point, she’d try anything to make her stupid crush go away.
17
“Sir, remember you have an appointment with Hanna at Toucan Isle this afternoon,” Bo Young said, sticking her head into his office.
Sun Gi tore himself away from the document he was perusing and groaned. “What? I don’t remember putting that in the schedule.”
“You didn’t. I did.”
“Being nosey, are we?”
“I’m just trying to help. Your wedding is in a few weeks and you’ve made no effort to meet with your fiancée or send out the invitations. Planning a wedding is extremely stressful, you know. I can’t imagine how Hanna is handling everything alone.”
“I gave her my credit card, what more do you expect from me?”
“You think throwing money at a stressed-out bride will solve anything. You’ve got to do more.”
Sun Gi whipped his glasses off. “I’ve done plenty.”
Bo Young arched an eyebrow. His secretary rarely crossed the line into ‘personal’ territory. Whenever she did, he knew it was for his best interest.
He hadn’t spoken to Hanna since her confession in his truck after the dinner with her parents. That was mostly his fault. He didn’t know what to say.
Thanks but no thanks?
If someone as calculated as Hanna had feelings for him, no one could convince her otherwise.
So he’d avoided her.
But he’d underestimated Hanna. Her tactical decision to team up with Bo Young and ambush him was flawless. He’d go to the stupid lunch, not for Hanna’s sake but because Bo Young would never let him forget it if didn’t.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
“Great.” Bo Young smiled and strutted away.
Sun Gi shut his laptop and followed her.
“The next time Hanna calls,” Sun Gi said, “tell her I’m busy.”
“You want me to lie?”
“No, I’m always busy.”
Bo Young pursed her lips in disapproval. “Your mom called me yesterday. She wanted to know about the wedding. I told her that you hadn’t done much and she begged me to look out for you. Your mother doesn’t want any more cancelled weddings.”
“I told her not to worry,” Sun Gi mumbled.
“Mothers worry.” Bo Young gave him a knowing look. “I promised her that I’d be there for you where she couldn’t. That means giving you relationship advice and pointing out when you’re being a—”
“A what?” He paused, smiling down at her.
“A less than considerate human being.”
“Sure, that’s what you were going to say.”
Bo Young patted his arm. “It doesn’t matter to me why you and Hanna got together so quickly after she broke up with Joon. That’s none of my business. You’re with her now. I expect you to treat her with all the love and respect she deserves.”
Sun Gi took Bo Young’s hands and squeezed them. “This isn’t my first date.”
“It’s your first marriage.” Bo Young pulled back and returned to her desk. Falling into her chair with a groan, she said, “Do you really want to start it off on such shaky footing?”
“Thanks for your concern, but Hanna and I are fine.” He shifted gears and stepped toward the door. “Any luck with candidates for the assistant position?”
She pressed her hands on the table and tilted her head, eyes narrowing. Sun Gi recognized that exasperated look.
He smirked. “I’m guessing that’s a no.”
“You deserve a medal, sir.”
“So no one else has applied? At all?”
“Not since we made the requirements more stringent. I don’t think an angel would live up to your standards.”
“Ah,” Sun Gi leaned against the wall, “so you’re calling yourself an angel?”
Bo Young’s frustrated expression melted into shy pleasure. “You and that sweet tongue.”
“Just don’t tell your husband.”
Bo Young wiggled her finger. “What do you think about posting an internal notice? Instead of looking for a temporary replacement from outside, we can promote someone in the company.”
“Yeah, I like it.” He snapped his fingers. “Let’s do that.”
“You got it.” Bo Young spun toward the computer.
“I’m heading to Toucan Isle now. You want anything?”
“Fried snapper with rice and beans, please!” Bo Young yelled.
He nodded and headed to the parking lot.
The heat slammed into him as soon as he hit the sidewalk. Sun Gi shrugged his blazer off. The weather app on his phone said it was ninety-five degrees outside. Wearing multiple layers of clothing was a suicide mission.
The drive took longer than expected. Finally, he parked near the wooden building hugging the sea. A large thatch roof protected the restaurant from the sun. He sighed in satisfaction as the breeze cooled the sweat on his skin.
The hostess eyed him. “Table for one?”
“I’m meeting someone.” He skimmed the crowd and spotted Hanna. She raised her hand and waved. Sun Gi strode toward the table and fell into his seat. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Hanna swi
ftly nodded. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t show.”
“Traffic was brutal.”
She pulled a menu. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
Hanna called the waitress to take their orders. When the server strutted away to the kitchen, they both spoke at once.
“That night in the car, we—”
“About what you said last time—”
“Wait.” Hanna held up her palms. “I want to go first.”
“Go on.”
She tucked her glossy lips between her teeth and chewed nervously. Black eyeliner emphasized her eyes and blush clung to her cheeks. Now that they were face to face, Sun Gi felt a twinge of guilt for avoiding her.
“Before you reject me, there’s something I’d like you to know.”
He eased back, waiting to hear what she had to say.
“When Joon proposed to me, he explained all the reasons why an alliance between our families and our business would work. It appealed to me. That kind of cut-and-dry romance. It felt comfortable, but now—” Her eyes met his. “I want more. I want to be desired and longed for. I want that with you.”
“Hanna…”
“Sun Gi,” she reached over the table and held his hand, “I know you don’t love me. I can’t say that I’m in love with you either. But in three months, we’re going to pledge our lives to each other. When that day comes, I want us to mean those words.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“I know,” she pleaded, “but can’t you try?”
He slipped his hand out of hers, glad when the server arrived with their food so he could think it over.
What’s the problem? She’s smoking hot and you’re marrying her anyway.
The problem was… his heart didn’t belong to her.
Maybe it never would, no matter how hard he tried.
Hanna ducked. “It took a lot for me to ask you this, but if there’s someone else…”
“No.” He thought of Jo and glanced down. “There’s no one.”
“Then there’s nothing holding you back.” Hanna’s smile was brilliant. “Would you give me a chance?” She held up three fingers. “Three months. Give me until the wedding.”
“To do what?”
“Date me.”
Sun Gi was shocked into silence.
Hanna surveyed him confidently. “Come on. If we get to know each other, maybe our feelings can grow.”