by Nia Arthurs
Luke was unmoved by her deflection. “Admit it. You don’t think that kiss was a mistake.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. You like Michelle, remember?”
He went very still. “What if I didn’t?”
“What?”
“I mean I like Michelle. She’s a great girl. She’s pretty, smart, funny, accomplished and she laughs like an angel—”
Ashanti bristled. She could do without the Michelle-praising, thank you very much. “Do you have a point?”
“Ash, when I got the call that you were hurt it felt like my world was crumbling. Like I couldn’t breathe. Yeah, I like Michelle. But I… think I like you more.”
Ashanti’s eyes widened. “You think you like me?”
“Yeah.” Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that weird?”
“No. Not at all.” She licked her lips and played with the hem of her T-shirt. “Actually… I might like you too.”
Luke bobbed his head.
Ashanti dug her fingers into the cot.
The silence between them was overtaken by the sound of patients, nurses and doctors scurrying in the background.
Luke finally cleared his throat and stood. “I’ll go find a doctor. Maybe you can go home now.”
“Yeah.”
He walked off and Ashanti watched him leave with a slightly stunned expression.
What just happened?
She pressed a palm to her chest and felt her racing pulse. Did she dream it or did Luke actually admit to liking her, albeit with the most awkward pause after.
Before she could soak in the moment, Luke returned with the doctor in tow. He asked her a few questions before allowing her to leave.
Luke followed silently as she trotted to the administration office to pay for her care and then headed outside to her car.
She turned to him without looking him straight in the eyes. “I should go home so you can head back to the café if you need to.”
“I’ll follow you to make sure you get in safely.”
Ashanti ducked her head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I’ll always do that.”
She looked up at him. He watched her back, a serious look on his face.
Okay… this was not what she’d imagined a relationship with Luke would be—stiff, normal, slightly awkward.
Ashanti slipped into the car and started the ignition. She drove carefully out of the lot and made her way home. Luke was close on her tail. He even helped her out of her car and walked her to her door.
Which would have been romantic if anyone else had done it. But it was Luke. He was always patient and tender with her.
Am I overthinking things?
Ashanti wanted to freak out over their burgeoning relationship, but the moment she set her head on her pillow, she conked out and immediately fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-One
“How’d it go?” Weng asked the moment Luke stepped into the café. A mischievous grin spread on his face. “What did Michelle say?”
“It went fine. And what Michelle said is none of your business.” Luke ousted Weng from his seat behind the counter.
His cousin skittered to his feet, his eyes still beaming with mischief. “Come on, Luke. The least you can do is drop a hint. Did she forgive you? Take you back? What did you say?”
“I just…” Luke set his hand on the counter, still shocked by the words he’d blurted to Ashanti in the hospital. “I told her I liked her.”
Weng nudged him in the side with his elbow. “Nice. And what did she say?”
“The same thing.”
“Congratulations, man. When are you going to tell your parents and Yeye?”
Luke clamped his lips shut.
“Fine. Don’t talk.” Weng walloped him on the back. “I’m just happy you two are finally together. What happened after you confessed?”
Luke tilted his head. “Nothing much.”
“Did you kiss her?”
“Of course not!” His heart galloped at the prospect.
“Okay… did you at least ask her out?”
“To what?”
“A date, you idiot.”
Luke stiffened. “Was I supposed to do that?”
“I don’t get it. You just barged in, told her you liked her.” Weng counted on his fingers. “She told you she liked you back and then you just… what… left?”
“I got her home safely—” Luke began.
“You’re sad.” Weng stabbed him in the chest with his finger. “You should at least ask her to dinner. She’s a lady.”
“I’m aware.”
“Now that you’re officially together, you’ve got to woo her. Be romantic. Or else she’ll just dump your butt again.”
“Be romantic?” Luke mumbled.
“Yes, cuz.” Weng slapped his shoulder and shook his head. “That’s when you take her on dates. Buy her flowers. Give her compliments.”
Luke tried to imagine doing those things with Ashanti.
Weng saw his expression and snorted. “I don’t know how Michelle puts up with you.”
He almost told Weng the truth. That he had confessed to Ashanti instead of Michelle. But it was news he wanted to savor, soak in.
The day wasn’t supposed to turn out like this and no one was more surprised by that than Luke.
“Thanks for watching the store for me.”
“Sure thing.” Weng grabbed his backpack. “Call me if you need any advice.” Weng tossed his head so his bangs flipped to the side. “I’m something of a love expert so I can answer any question a noob like you might have.”
Luke snorted. “Later, Weng.”
The bell jangled as his cousin left. Soon after, a group of students walked in and Luke jogged around the counter to serve them.
The hours until closing were busy. Luke waited on his customers, but Ashanti remained on his mind through everything.
Those few minutes after he heard she’d gotten hurt were a blur. It was like he’d been taken over by something else and when he came to, he was telling Ashanti he had feelings for her.
He meant those words. He just… didn’t know what to do now.
Things had turned awkward immediately after they admitted how they felt.
That couldn’t be a good sign.
A few minutes before closing, Luke called Yeye to let him know Ashanti was okay.
“Thank goodness,” Yeye said. “Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.”
“Will do, Yeye.” Luke hung up and heard shuffling in the background. When he turned, he saw Eddie approaching. “Are you leaving already, Uncle?”
“The kitchen’s closed for now.” He wrapped himself up in a scarf since the temperature had dropped recently. Belize didn’t get winters, but the seasons between October and November cooled significantly.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Oh, Luke.” Eddie turned back. “How are things with your parents? I heard about the meeting they sprung on you yesterday.” Eddie chuckled. “Your mom thought she had you backed into a corner, but they weren’t counting on how charming your young lady could be. I heard Ashanti won everyone over.”
“She did. I’m hoping Mom won’t hold a grudge forever.”
“Give her some time.” Eddie squeezed his shoulder. “But be prepared to spend the rest of your life separated from your parents. Prepare Ashanti for it too. This is now a matter of pride, and they may not waver. Not even if there are grandchildren involved.”
Luke nodded. The prospect no longer scared him. “It is what it is. Honestly, I realized my parents won’t be the person stuck with whoever I marry. I will. And because of that I want to make the choice.”
“Good for you, Luke.” Eddie chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nodded and watched Eddie waddle out.
Despite Luke’s resolution to move on if his parents abandoned him, he hoped it didn’t come to that. At the very least, he needed them to know that choosing Ashanti d
idn’t mean he had rejected them.
After locking up the café, Luke gave his mother a call.
He’d half-expected her to ignore him. When her voice came over the line, he was stunned. “Mom?”
“What?” she said wearily.
“I’m just checking in.”
“On what?”
“Are you okay? You sound… tired.”
“I’m not tired. I’m disappointed.”
“If this is about Ashanti—”
“What else can it be about, Luke?” She sighed. “But it doesn’t matter. You won. Yeye sided with you and your black girlfriend. I have nothing more to say.”
“You’re invited to meet up with us whenever you’re free. Maybe you can see what Yeye fell in love with. Eventually, we could come to a compromise.”
“No thank you.”
“Mom…”
“Luke, I’m busy. What more do you have to say?”
Luke held the phone to his ear and looked out the windshield. “I love you. I hope you remember that.”
“I loved you too. Remember that.” She hung up.
Luke listened to the dial tone.
Did his mother just say she ‘loved’ him. As in past tense?
Luke sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. This was it. There really was no going back at this point. His parents had given up on him, but Luke would never lose hope for reconciliation.
In the meanwhile, he could take advantage of the distance and live without the burden of their expectations. That meant embracing his feelings for Ashanti wholeheartedly, without any fear or regrets.
Determination welled in him. Luke sat straighter and grabbed his cell phone. He dialed Ashanti’s number and waited until she picked up. Before she’d greeted him fully, Luke blurted—“What are you doing tonight?”
“Uh…” There was a beat of silence. “Finishing up my article? Why?”
“Will you be done in an hour?”
“I think so.”
“Then get dressed.”
“Why?”
“I’m taking you out tonight.” Luke listened to Ashanti’s shocked silence and almost smiled. “I’ll see you then.”
He hung up and pointed the car home so he could get ready.
Dating his best friend would be strange at first, he was sure, but Ashanti was the woman he wanted to be with and nothing would get in the way of that.
Nothing.
His phone rang. Luke slammed his car to a stop when he saw Michelle’s name flashing across the screen. He remembered the way he’d left her hanging at the school and picked up, feeling slightly guilty.
“Hello?”
For a moment there was silence and then, “Hey, Luke.”
He heard loud music in the background and raucous laughter. Was she at a bar? “Michelle, is everything okay?”
“They couldn’t be better. How was Ashanti?”
“She’s fine. Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to run off like that.”
“Save it,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about what I should do all evening and it’s finally come to me.”
Luke waited patiently for her to tell him.
“You like her, don’t you? You like Ashanti.”
“Yes.” There was no use hiding it.
“Then why did you come and visit me at school today? Why give me that hope?”
“I’m sorry, Michelle. You’re a great person. Really. You deserve someone who can love you the way you deserve and that guy isn’t me.” He heard something crash in the background and leaned forward. “Michelle, where are you?”
“Don’t worry, Luke. I was already on my way to forgetting about you. Seeing you again made me realize I hadn’t made as much progress as I thought, but I’ll just start over.”
“Michelle…”
He heard a clatter as if the phone had slipped out of her hands and fallen to a hard surface. It clicked off after that.
Luke checked the time. He needed to head home, make a reservation at a restaurant, shower, change and then head out to buy flowers before he picked Ashanti up for their date.
But he couldn’t just leave Michelle in a bad situation. Especially if it was his fault she was in that position.
He started the car and drove, but he couldn’t concentrate on the road. He had a bad feeling about Michelle.
He called her, but the line just cut to voicemail. Worry ate at him. Michelle wasn’t a woman who drank regularly, which meant she would either patron a bar close to her apartment or she would go to the bar where they’d met with his cousins.
At the last minute, Luke flicked his indicator and made a U-turn.
He drove to the bar he knew first and crashed through the doors. Smoke hung heavy in the air. Coupled with the dimness of the room, it was hard to see anything.
Tables were filled with patrons drinking and chatting. Pulsing music blared from a band on the podium. He swept his gaze through the crowd, but didn’t see Michelle anywhere.
He headed deeper into the bar and studied every woman draped against the counter. Finally, he spotted her at the very end of the bar. She had changed out of her uniform and now wore a red dress and spiky heels.
“Michelle!” he yelled into her ear.
She jumped around and a sloppy smile flew to her lips. “Luke, you’re here.”
“Michelle,” he eyed the glass in front of her, “how much did you drink?”
“Enough.”
He tried to haul her arm. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
“I don’t think so.” Michelle yanked her hand out of his grip. “You came.”
“Did you get drunk just to get my attention?”
“No…” she slurred. Then giggled. “Yes.”
Luke sighed and checked his watch. “I have something to do tonight. Please, Michelle. Let’s go.”
“No.” She pouted. “You played me for weeks and then showed up today just to leave me again. Sit.” She patted the barstool. “Have a drink and then I’ll leave.” When he still hesitated, Michelle added. “That’s the least you can do.”
“You have five minutes,” Luke said, taking a seat.
“Ten.”
He chose not to argue with her and gestured to the bartender. Luke ordered a root beer since he planned on driving home tonight and nodded when the bartender slid the mug in front of him.
Michelle leaned over. The scent of alcohol on her skin was overwhelming. “I wanted to try it just once.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Being cared for by you the way you cared for Ashanti that night. You were so gentle,” Michelle said, closing her eyes. “So tender. I was so jealous.” She licked her lips. “I think I knew then. You were always hers.”
Luke didn’t know what to say so he only nodded to her drink. “Finish that and then we’ll leave.”
She flounced on her seat. Her hair flew behind her as she whipped her head. “We’ll leave when I’m ready.”
Luke glanced at the clock on his phone’s screen. He couldn’t be late tonight. Not when Ashanti was waiting for him.
“Drink up, Luke!” Michelle cheered and raised her glass, knocking it back in one shot.
He had to find a way to get Michelle out of this bar. And fast.
The clock was ticking.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ashanti carefully brushed powder over the bruise on her face. Like magic, the discoloration faded until it was all dark brown skin. She smacked her lips to smear her gloss more evenly and smiled.
Luke’s voice filtered through her head. “I like you more.”
Her heart thumped at the memory. It wasn’t exactly a love confession that would rock the world, but it was true to them. And she loved that it was Luke who confessed first.
Ashanti had been determined to preserve their friendship at all costs. Luke was the type of guy who slowly but surely backed away from anything that made him uncomfortable. And unrequited love confessions made him very uncomfortable.
She would never forget all the hearts he’d broken over the years. Luke had his share of female admirers, even if he was too clueless to notice it.
In college there were a few girls who made their interest so plain that even Luke picked up on their flirting. Not that he flirted back.
When the poor, besotted ladies confessed their interest, Luke usually responded with a soft-spoken rejection and a polite ticket out of his social orbit.
Luke Zhang didn’t do ‘feelings’. So the fact that he’d come clean with her made Ashanti almost giddy.
She fastened her hoop earrings, her hand rattling so much that she missed the hole in her ear lobe five times. At last, she got the clasp right and let out a relieved breath.
“It’s just Luke. You don’t need to be nervous,” she instructed her reflection.
With a nod, Ashanti moved from the mirror and grabbed her strappy heels. She’d chosen a grey knit sweater and a tight blue skirt for tonight. Since she didn’t know where Luke was taking her, she wanted to be prepared for anything.
Ashanti finished tying up her shoes and checked the clock on the wall. Strange. Luke was fifteen minutes late.
That was unlike him. Luke had an unhealthy obsession with being on time for everything. It was the main source of their fights in college. Luke didn’t understand what it meant to be ‘fashionably late’ and resented her for showing up whenever she felt like it.
Ashanti strode to the living room where she’d tossed her phone after Luke called to ask her out. She picked it up, curious to see if he’d left any messages to warn her he’d be late.
There were none.
Ashanti was just about to call him and check up when there was a knock on the door. She sprang out of her seat as a wave of excitement drilled through her.
Though Ashanti wanted to rush the door, she forced herself to walk regally and turn the knob like a sane human being.
Luke stood on her porch, his hair messy and a stain on his shirt—the shirt he’d been wearing earlier today. Her gaze swept down to his khakis and worn running shoes.
A waft of disappointment threaded around her veins, but Ashanti smiled anyway. “Wow. I’m overdressed.”