by Nia Arthurs
“Is there something you need to do?” Eddie asked.
“I…”
“It’s super important,” Weng said. “The store doesn’t look too busy now. He can leave, right?”
“Of course.”
Weng beamed at Luke. “What are you waiting for?”
“I…”
“Go on.” Eddie nudged Luke’s shoulder. “Don’t dawdle on my account.”
Luke grabbed the car keys beside the cash register. “I guess I’m leaving now.”
“Good luck,” Weng said.
Luke shot him a withering look and headed out the door.
He was leaving without Michelle’s frozen coffee, which was what Ashanti had suggested he bring as a peace offering, but since he had doubts about this anyway he didn’t mind going empty-handed.
The drive ended much quicker than he’d thought, but Luke spent ten minutes looking for a parking spot in front of Saint Mary’s Academy. He heard a bell ring just as he squeezed his car into a space and realized that he’d arrived when school was ending.
A tall wall painted white and yellow surrounded the campus. Through the spokes in one section of the fence, he spotted a well-maintained garden in bloom and several buildings.
Luke pulled out his phone and texted Michelle to tell her he was waiting outside. He spent the few minutes after playing a game on his phone but, when he failed the level and checked if Michelle had responded, he saw that she hadn’t.
Luke squirmed. He didn’t want anyone thinking he was a creep sneaking around an all-girls high school.
“Come on, Michelle.” He tapped his phone.
Another five minutes crawled past. Unable to wait any longer, Luke climbed out of his truck and approached the security guard at the gate. She was a slim woman who looked as threatening as a tree branch.
Exactly what was she supposed to protect the school from? Children?
Luke brushed the thought away and skirted to the edge of the path so the students could pass through the gate. “Excuse me. I’m here to meet Ms. Michelle.”
“Who are you?” The security eyed him up and down.
“A friend.”
She pursed her lips. He could tell that she didn’t believe him, but she picked up a telephone in the security booth and called anyway. “Ms. Michelle, someone’s here to see you.” She leaned over and said, “What was your name again?”
“Luke Zhang.”
She repeated his words and butchered his last name. A moment later, the guard hung up. “She said to meet her in her classroom.”
“Which one is that?”
The woman sighed like he’d asked her to carry him there on her back. “Right up those stairs. Last room on the right.”
“Thanks.”
He jogged toward the steps, ignoring the students who giggled and pointed as he passed.
On his short journey to Michelle’s classroom, Luke was dragged back to his high school years. Back then, he was awkward around girls and generally avoided them.
Ashanti was the only girl he’d felt comfortable around. She didn’t allow him to be shy around her. Not even when it was his natural inclination to do so.
Ash thrived in pushing him out of his comfort zone.
You’re about to get back with Michelle. Stop thinking about Ashanti.
Luke walked into the classroom the security guard had pointed out to him and let his gaze fall on the neat rows of chairs, the colorful posters on the wall and the white board.
Michelle was standing at the front of the classroom, her back to him and her arms stretching to wipe the top of the board with an eraser.
Her hair was pinned up and she wore a pink uniform shirt and black pants. He cleared his throat and she immediately spun and looked at him.
Luke hadn’t been sure what to expect, but he hadn’t anticipated the smile on her pretty face or the welcoming gleam in her eyes.
“Luke!” Michelle yelled.
He waved. “Hey.”
Michelle dropped the eraser and floated toward him. “It’s so great to see you. I hope you don’t mind meeting in the classroom like this. I’m the moderator for the book club and we’re meeting at four.”
Luke checked his watch. “Book club, huh? What book are you reading?”
“To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a great read and the kids…” Her voice faded. “But I’m sure you didn’t ditch the café and stop by my school just to ask about my book club. Although the girls would love to have you.”
He chuckled. “Thanks for the invitation.”
“Well?” Michelle tilted her head.
He inhaled a deep breath and stared into her eyes. All the sensations he felt when he first laid eyes on her washed over him. “How have you been?”
“Me?” Michelle dipped her head. “Fine.”
“I’m really sorry about the way I left things that night. I should have run after you.”
“It’s alright.” Michelle lifted her shoulder in a delicate shrug. “You had something more important to deal with.”
“Michelle, Ashanti and I… we’re really not like that.”
She shuffled her weight from one hip to the other. “What are you trying to say, Luke?”
“I’m saying…” he inhaled deeply. “I like—” Before he could finish, his phone rang. He almost skittered from the shrill sound blasting into the silent classroom. Luke pulled out his phone, intending to ignore the call when he saw that it was Yeye.
“Is it important?” Michelle asked.
“It’s my grandfather. I’m sorry. I have to take this.” Luke walked to the door and put the cell to his ear. “Yeye?”
“Luke, have you spoken to Ashanti today?”
At the mention of Ashanti’s name, Luke cupped his other hand over the phone’s speakers and tossed an anxious look at Michelle. She watched him innocently. Luke spun back around and hissed, “No. Why?”
“There was a breaking news report about a journalist who was attacked during her investigation. The details line up with the story Ashanti told us about. I think it was Ashanti’s case.”
Luke’s entire body seized at his grandfather’s words. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know,” Yeye said, sounding genuinely distressed. “The news report focused on the drug dealer’s arrest rather than the journalist who was assaulted. I was hoping she had called you and let you know she was alright.”
“When I find her, I’ll give you an update.”
“Thanks, Luke.”
He hung up and turned to Michelle, his chest heaving. The classroom was beginning to fill with students, all who eyed him curiously.
Michelle saw his expression and flew over. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Ashanti. Something happened to her.”
Michelle’s face tightened. “You were about to say something important.”
“I’m sorry, Michelle,” Luke said, already backing up toward the door. “I can’t.”
“Luke!”
He ignored her and sprinted down the hallway. In his rush, Luke almost fell down the stairs. He corrected himself and sprinted straight through the gate, past the security guard, and onto the street.
Luke dove into his car and called Ashanti’s number. It went to voicemail. He drove like a maniac, keeping his finger locked on Ashanti’s speed dial and praying she picked up.
She didn’t.
He threw his car into a parking spot in front of the Madalon Building and dashed into the lobby. Luke didn’t so much as give the secretary a glance. He bypassed the man and shot straight into the elevator.
“Hey!” The receptionist sprung out of his seat. “You can’t go in there!”
The elevator doors closed on his protests. When it landed on the correct floor, Luke stumbled into the hallway where two security guards were waiting for him.
“Sir,” the taller, brawnier guard said, “you need to sign in downstairs.”
“Do I? I thought I could just walk in.” Luke raised his hands in surrend
er.
They eyed him suspiciously and slowly approached. When they were close, Luke body-slammed the skinnier officer. He flew against the wall.
Luke scrambled into the newspaper office. Everyone stopped and watched him as he burst in crying, “Ashanti! Where’s Ashanti?”
The security guards descended before anyone could answer. They each grabbed an arm and yanked him.
Luke struggled, but he was no match for them.
“Wait!” A feminine voice cut through the chaos. The security guards stopped as a small, Mayan woman trotted toward them.
“Tara,” Luke said.
She had a cell phone in one hand and keys in the other. “I know where Ashanti is.”
Luke brushed the security guards off and straightened, his eyes burning into hers. “Take me to her. Now.”
Chapter Twenty
“Sir, you can’t go back there!”
Ashanti heard a commotion in the distance. Her curiosity got the best of her and she pulled back the curtain shading her small cot in the corner of the emergency room.
Her gaze slammed into Luke’s. He looked frazzled, near crazed. His black hair lay in a mess on his forehead. His skinny arms swayed and then pumped by his side as he ran toward her.
Ashanti leaned back, bracing herself for impact. Luke managed to skid to a stop before he collided with her. His chest heaved and his black eyes gleamed with concern and… was that anger?
“What the hell, Ash?” he yelled, his voice breathy.
She studied him, slightly bewildered. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” He spoke through gritted teeth. “That’s all you have to say to me?”
Ashanti opened her mouth but no words came out. Her mind went blank. Why was Luke so angry?
Ashanti heard feet pattering toward them and spotted Tara racing down the halls. Her straight black hair rose and fell with every step and sweat beaded on her forehead. She skidded to a stop in front of Ashanti’s cot.
“You’re here too, Tara?”
“Are you okay?” Tara’s eyes flitted over the bandage on her hand and the bruise on her jaw. “What happened?”
Ashanti tugged on her ear lobe, embarrassed by all the attention. “I was meeting with one of my informants when the dealer I was investigating popped up out of nowhere. He figured out who I was and what I was doing. As you can see,” she gestured to herself, “he didn’t take it well.”
“Why the hell did you go alone if it was that dangerous?” Luke demanded.
Ashanti blinked. “Since when did you use the word ‘hell’ in all your sentences?”
“Ashanti,” Tara put a gentle hand on her shoulder, “Luke was worried about you. He barged into the office and almost got kicked out by Byron and the other security guys.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Luke asked, acting like he hadn’t heard anything Tara said. “Even if you had to go investigating alone, you should have called me the minute you got hurt.”
“My phone died. And, anyway, it wasn’t that big a deal,” Ashanti said. She scooted to the edge of her hospital bed and winced when that harmless movement sent shockwaves of pain through her body.
Tara noticed and pounced on her. “Get back on the bed.”
“I’m fine.” She continued to push herself off.
Luke walked toward her and poked a finger to her forehead. He forced her back until she lay flat on the hard cot. His stony expression should have scared her, but instead she felt her heart flutter.
He leaned over her, his eyes shooting flames. “Stay.”
Ashanti wanted to disobey him. After all, she was not a robot who functioned on his commands. Unfortunately, her limbs had turned to mush and she couldn’t move even if she wanted to.
Their gazes locked and held in a heated exchange that needed no words.
Tara whistled under her breath. “Should I give you two a minute?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ashanti said. She tore her gaze away from Luke and eased up on her elbows to make it easier to talk. “The doctor said I could leave after a couple hours. It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“It looks like someone punched you in the jaw.” Luke sat on the edge of her bed. His nearness made her heart pound even faster.
What was wrong with her? Had the doctor given her some wonky meds?
He reached out and softly grasped her cheek. His gaze was on her bruise so Ashanti knew that his touch was just out of concern, but it gave her a distinct flashback to their kiss.
She pulled her face away before the heat consumed her. “I got punched and slapped a few times. That’s all. I’m fine.”
“Where is he?” Luke got slowly to his feet, looking more dangerous and livid than she’d ever seen him. “Where’s the punk who did this?”
Tara slid in front of him. “Calm down, Luke. The police already have him in custody.”
“It’s the one good thing to come out of this mess,” Ashanti said with a sigh. “The cops didn’t want to arrest him on the drug charges without evidence, but now that he’s assaulted me they can get the ball rolling on a new investigation.”
“That’s good,” Luke said.
She agreed wholeheartedly. Ashanti had a feeling that—had the dealer not been apprehended—Luke would have gone after the guy himself.
Tara shuffled her feet. “Well, I think it’s rather obvious, but Chief said to tell you not to come in today or tomorrow.”
“What? But they’re already airing the story! I need to write my article.”
“You can do that when you get back.”
“It’ll be too late by then. I worked so hard for this. How can I give my scoop up? No way. I have to come in.”
Luke turned to her and narrowed his eyes.
Ashanti swallowed and amended. “Fine, I’ll stay home.” She looked at Tara and pleaded. “Can I at least email my draft? It needs to go to print as soon as possible.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to Chief. In the meantime, rest up. I’ll call you later.” Tara turned as if she’d leave.
“Wait.” Ashanti’s eyebrows scrunched. “Where are you going? You just got here.”
Tara smiled. “Unlike some people, I don’t have the day off. Besides, you have Luke. I’m sure you’ll be well-taken care of.”
“But…”
Tara didn’t stick around to hear her objections. She trotted off, leaving Ashanti alone with Luke.
Her eyes slid to his. His expression hadn’t softened one iota. If anything, he looked even more pissed. She glanced away. “Who’s watching the store?”
“Weng.” His answer was clipped. Abrupt. Annoyed.
“You should get back before it gets late. Weng’s probably overwhelmed with the after-school rush.”
“He’ll be fine.”
Ashanti traced shapes into the mattress and whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I didn’t think it would be important.”
“You didn’t think…” Luke scoffed and dipped his head as if her stupidity physically overwhelmed him. “Ashanti, you got beaten up by a thug and that wasn’t worth a call?”
“You can stop shouting. I said I was sorry.”
He remained silent, his jaw clenching and unclenching like it was doing a bench press.
Ashanti hesitantly touched his arm. “You’re… not going to tell my dad, are you?”
“This is the sort of thing he asked me to keep tabs on.”
“Luke…” She pushed out her bottom lip. “Please don’t tell. Dad will cut his cruise short and rush home to be with me. I’m really fine.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Ashanti nodded, sensing that pushing him now when he was in such a crappy mood would be counterproductive.
Luke looked at her, seeming to calm a little. “Do you need anything? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?”
She half-smiled. “You can help me by acting like we’re not in a hospital right now.”
“How do I do that?”
“Talk to me.” She closed her eyes. “How was your day?”
“It was okay. I made some orders. Did an inventory check. Paid my taxes.”
“When did you call Weng to cover for you at the café?” Ashanti asked, eyes falling closed. When Luke kept quiet, she opened them back again and stared at the side of his face. “Luke?”
“I didn’t call him. Uncle Eddie did.”
“Wait… I thought you were the one who asked Weng to cover your shift.”
“That’s not exactly how it happened.”
Ashanti studied him intently. “What are you not telling me?”
“It’s not important. What matters is the fact that you almost got killed today and you didn’t call me to help.”
“Uh uh.” She wiggled a finger in his face. “Don’t try to redirect the conversation by blaming me.”
He frowned. “That’s not what I’m doing.”
“That’s exactly what you’re doing. You think I don’t know you by now? You’re hiding something and the only thing that would make you so awkward is…” She paused and dropped her joking tone to say in a serious voice, “Michelle. You were with her, weren’t you?”
Luke didn’t confirm her guess.
He didn’t deny it either.
Ashanti’s heart sank. “You were with her for another date and I ruined it. Again.”
“That’s not what happened.” He reached out to her.
“Don’t.” She rolled away from his touch. Luke running straight to Michelle hurt her more than getting beat up today.
“Why are you upset?” Luke said to her tense shoulder. “Weren’t you the one who told me the kiss meant nothing and that I should go for it?”
“I’m not upset.”
He gently rolled her back around. The strands of his dark hair suspended over her as he bent over. “Liar. You forget. I know you too.”
She shrugged him off. “Leave me alone.”
“Not until you tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“Why you’re angry that I was with Michelle.”
Ashanti’s nose flared. Was he trying to get her to admit that she had feelings for him? No way.
She raised her chin. “I bet you didn’t go with my coffee idea. You chickened out and just drove to see her, didn’t you?”