“Long. But no delays. I must’ve run myself too hard in the days before the trip, getting ready to be gone for so long. I slept over thirteen hours in the same position.” But all his aches and pains had vanished. Daisy’s presence next to him left him wired.
For being so tiny, they walked at a brisk pace that kept him rushing to keep up.
Mari motioned to a place on their right. Daisy shook her head, but Mari gave her the look, the one he used to get from his mother before she’d quit caring about everything.
Daisy scanned around them and gestured to a place across the street with a green sign. The area outside had a reserved spot for tables and chairs, but they were all packed.
Mari said, “Too busy,” and spun toward the door of the first option.
“I’m game for anything,” he told Daisy. “Really. It’s fine.”
Daisy’s brows were creased as she glared at her mom’s back. She lifted her gaze to him and gave him an apologetic look.
What was that about?
Chapter Eight
What was Ina up to? This place served nothing but seafood and little of what Aaron would find in his hometown. She’d hoped to coax her mother to the place that imitated an American sports bar, but under the guise of a time limit, Ina chose here.
She led Aaron inside.
He was a big man. His broad shoulders had blocked out the sun for her, but he wasn’t intimidating. He couldn’t be with that smile of his. The hue of his eyes had startled her in the hotel, but out in the sun, they glowed. As they’d walked, he’d turned the heads of everyone passing.
Was his russet hair purposefully styled in a messy manner, or had he just woken up when she called? The ten-minute wait before she’d decided to call had killed her. Truthfully, she and Ina had been there for over a half hour before. Traffic wasn’t going to ruin the big meet.
For a moment, when he’d walked off the elevator, she’d regretted calling him. He towered over her, and he hadn’t been standing anywhere close to her. He was so much better looking in real life. His lanky frame helped settle the chaotic swirl of emotions in her belly. He was a wall of muscle, but not cosmetic muscle. He was a man who moved easily, like a dance around everyone and everything, confident in his body. She hadn’t expected that from someone well over six feet tall and wearing thick boots.
His feet were going to burn up if he did any walking around Manila.
They were seated at a little table by the window; she and Ina on one side, Aaron on the other. The waitress was about her age and she eyed Aaron like a meat stick she wanted to gnaw apart.
Aaron seemed clueless as he nodded his thanks and crinkled his brow at the menu. So, points in his favor. If there was a discreet way to show her mom that, she’d kick her under the table and point it out.
Ina had kept the contact going with American Two. “He’s from Malibu!” she’d said only this morning. Ina was most excited about his mention of a vacation home in the Philippines. American Two now had several points in his favor. Well off, nice house—mansion, and if Daisy went with him, she wouldn’t be away for long periods of time.
“I really like Aaron,” Daisy had said.
“We hardly know him,” she’d replied.
You don’t, but I do. She’d have to prove it and intervene when Ina tried to get him out of his comfort zone.
What was Ina expecting? That he’d stomp out like a diva once he had to eat the same food she’d grown up on?
“What are you having, Ina?” Daisy asked in English. The crease hadn’t left Aaron’s forehead.
“Shrimp with oyster sauce.” Ina set her menu aside and took a sip of her water. She appeared to be looking outside, but was studying Aaron.
“Ah…” Aaron gave the menu one last scowl. “I’m afraid I need some help with this.”
His sheepish smile uncoiled a place inside she’d forgotten existed. The search for a husband had been clinical until she’d bumped Aaron, then it’d been full of uncertainty and urgency but with a healthy dose of excitement. Yet that crush feeling now was like comparing the power of a motorbike to a Jeepney.
She leaned over the table and straightened his menu so she could read it to him. Her fingers brushed his and a zing of electricity traveled up her arm and straight to her belly. He was warm. And real. And here with her.
He glanced up. She caught a quickly concealed flash of heat.
Her mouth went dry, but she forced herself to speak. She started by reading the name of the dish and the description, but as his eyes gradually widened she switched tactics. “Why don’t we narrow it down. Do you like fish, shrimp, shellfish, or squid?”
“Squid? For real?”
The sigh from Ina was barely audible.
“Yes, it’s real,” Dalisay said. “Ina and I love shrimp and shellfish. Yellow tuna is good, too. Do you like spicy food?”
“I don’t know that I’ve had the chance to get to like it. Did you say one of these was tilapia? We have that at home. Why don’t I play it safe today, but I gotta try squid before I leave.”
“The tilapia shouldn’t be too spicy for you, and I can recommend a good squid dish.” She met his gaze and the corner of his mouth lifted.
She couldn’t help her smile. Neither could she move away. Her arms stayed stretched across the table, her hands spread across his menu while his hands rested next to hers. They weren’t even touching, but the intimacy of the moment wasn’t lost on her.
Their server appeared, standing closer to Aaron, and she spoke in English. To him only. “What can I get you?”
Aaron didn’t break his gaze away. “Can you help me out again?”
Dalisay sat back and ordered for him and Ina. What was she going to eat? She named a dish from when she’d read them off to Aaron.
When the server left after one last sultry glance tossed toward Aaron, which he didn’t seem to notice, he asked what she’d ordered.
“Bangsilog. It’s milk fish with fried rice and fried egg. It’s a breakfast dish, but this is my first meal so it works.” Other than the small heart attack he’d given her earlier when he didn’t answer her call, his first impression eased her anxiety that he wouldn’t be another Benjie.
“Now I feel really bad that I slept in and made you wait.”
“No. Don’t.” It was worth it.
Ina cut in. “Tell us about your work.”
Dalisay bristled at Ina’s demand, but it didn’t faze him. “I farm with four of my cousins. Technically, we own the Walker Five, but more and more of our family is getting involved.” His grin was lopsided and his blue eyes twinkled. “We have them as employees now, for better or for worse.”
He rattled off information Dalisay already knew. Ina already knew, too, but Dalisay expected the interrogation. Since Richard was Ina’s top pick, Aaron wasn’t going to get off easy during the times they were together.
When he drifted off, Ina lobbed another question at him. “Are you close to your family?”
His smile faded, and he nodded. “Yes. We’re close. Too close sometimes.” His chuckle didn’t sound as relaxed as it had before.
Ina peppered him with questions she knew the answers to. Aaron responded patiently and didn’t comment when Ina misspoke or fumbled over an English phrase. Ina could probably start the process again and Aaron wouldn’t flinch.
Their meals were delivered. Aaron’s plate was slid in front of him. He pressed back into his chair and stared at the fish on his plate.
After a moment he leaned forward, his blue eyes twinkled as he studied the dish from eyeballs to tail. The outside was blackened from roasting with seasoning sprinkled over the exterior. A cut had been made along the side after cooking to insert lemon slices and springs of rosemary. “I wasn’t expecting the entire fish.”
“How else would you eat fish?” Ina asked, her tone borderline snide.
Dalisay wanted to sigh. Ina hadn’t stumbled over any of those words.
“Filets.” Another good-natured laugh. “Go to a
ny café in town and I doubt you’ll find fish that hasn’t been battered and deep fried. But when the guys and I go fishing, we filet the meat and dump the rest.”
Ina scoffed and Dalisay froze. Aaron’s gaze lifted to her mother, his eyes full of question.
“Do you ever make fish head soup?” Dalisay asked to cover the awkwardness. As if American Two—Richard—ever saw a fish outside of a grocery store. He didn’t seem the type to traipse through the outdoors in the polo shirt and visor he wore in his profile.
Aaron, on the other hand, she could see fishing in the crystal-blue lakes of Minnesota that had popped up in her research.
“No. Is that a thing? It sounds…uh, different.” He picked up his fork and pulled back the skin to dig out the meat inside.
Dalisay shot a glance at Ina. What had Aaron been about to say? Disgusting? Delicious? Probably not. Had Ina caught his sudden change?
The not-so-subtle lift of Ina’s brow said yes, she’d caught it.
Dalisay’s stomach demanded food though her appetite had nose-dived when Aaron’s dish had appeared. She gathered some rice on her spoon and snuck a glance at Aaron. He chewed his fish, but his attention was on her mother’s plate.
Ina cracked shrimp and peeled the shell off. She popped the meat in her mouth and attacked another. Aaron’s gaze stayed on the discarded shell, with tiny black eyeballs still intact.
He seemed enamored over the fish with scales and shrimp with shells. Was his food always stripped bare before it reached his plate? Well, Minnesota was touted for fishing, but they lacked shrimp.
“Want to try one?” Ina asked, holding a shrimp out to him. Damn, she’d caught him staring.
He set his fork down. Dalisay steeled herself for a disgusted look that didn’t come. “Do you mind? I don’t often eat shrimp, and I’ve never seen them…like that.”
He peeled the shrimp and took a bite. Dalisay and Ina were riveted to his reaction until he swallowed.
“Not bad.” He blinked. “Wow. The flavor is so not what I expected. I guess that’s the difference between having the ocean right here versus half a country away.”
Ina switched to Filipino. “Hear that? You can say goodbye to quality seafood if you stay with him. Malibu is on the ocean.”
Aaron looked between them. Dalisay didn’t elaborate on what her mother had said, and he went back to his own food. He was more tactful than her mother.
They finished their food in silence. Aaron was done first and studied his surroundings. She tried to put herself in his place. Everything was different, from the language, to the people, to the storefronts, and the cars on the street. Sure, there were similarities. People were still people no matter how they dressed. An engine was an engine no matter what body was built around it, and a store sold goods. But like the fish head soup, it was different. Soon enough, she would be in considerably larger shoes. New culture. New land. New husband.
At that thought, she set her spoon and fork down. She’d been intent to marry before. But she’d known Benjie, or she thought she had. The idea of marriage now was more startling than before. Where she’d known Benjie for months, she’d just spent an hour and a half with Aaron.
The time. She peeked at her phone. “I am sorry. I have to start the commute to work.”
Aaron nodded. “Absolutely. Just tell me when and where we meet next.”
“I work through the weekend, but we can keep meeting for lunch. On my days off before you leave”—she dragged in a deep breath—“we can go to the province where I’m from and meet my family.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a grin. “Should I be scared?”
She giggled and ignored the sharp look her mother gave her. “No. Ina and I will protect you.”
He developed a full grin and pulled out his wallet. “I’m gonna need a little help again.”
Dalisay walked him through paying and gave him pointers on tipping and what he should expect to pay for when and if he ventured into Manila on his own. He listened intently, but his gaze would touch on her hair, then drift to a shoulder before jerking back to her eyes. Was he trying not to check her out?
They walked outside into the bustle of sidewalk traffic. Ina murmured that they should take off from there, but Dalisay refused to abandon Aaron in the city by himself on his first outing. He might look like he could take care of himself, but he’d come here for her. They hadn’t directly said the word “marriage” to each other, but it was assumed on the dating site they had used. They’d alluded to it with his trip here. She was growing protective of him without an official engagement.
The hotel loomed in front of them, a wall of reflective glass. The location was farther away from her apartment than was convenient, but he’d get a quality room and service for the price. He was close enough to the heart of Metro Manila to play tourist, but not too far that she couldn’t catch the bus to meet with him.
“This place is really nice,” he said as if reading her mind. “And the weather definitely isn’t this pleasant at home. The wind is probably over fifteen miles an hour and will nip a layer of skin off.” He stopped, a beat of alarm gleaming through his eyes. “I don’t want to scare you off. You get used to it.”
So marriage was on his mind, too. “I’m sure it’ll be a trade. Typhoons for blizzards. Are they really that bad?” Her heart had pounded when she’d cruised through images of snow-obscured trees, drifts taller than some vehicles, and gigantic trucks tipped into snow-packed ditches.
“Yes and no. Modern amenities decrease the deadliness, but we all strive not to get stuck in one and to be prepared when one hits.”
She was about to ask more questions when Ina nudged her. Right. Work. “Well, enjoy the rest of your day.”
He smiled, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “I’ll probably check in on my brothers and poke around the hotel. When can I see you next?”
“Ina and I can come for lunch again.”
Ina crossed her arms and shook her head. She didn’t use English. “We can’t afford this bus trip every day.”
Dalisay didn’t speak in English, either. She didn’t want Aaron dragged into the middle. “I can use my tips.”
“For groceries. For the power bill. Bus fare for both of us for every day he’s here is going to add up.”
It wouldn’t be both of them for long. Was Ina going to be obstinate about Richard and make sure she stayed between her and Aaron long after he’d proven he was no predator?
Probably.
“Is something wrong?” Aaron asked. The smile had faded, and his concern was directed at her.
“Ina worries the bus fare will be too much.”
“Oh, that’s my fault. Here.” He dug out his wallet and dipped inside. “How far will this get you?” The multi-colored bill in his fingers would be more than enough. Without it, she couldn’t afford to see him.
“Thank you.” She tucked the bill into her pocket. Habit had her glancing around, her pulse kicking up. Being mugged and pick-pocketed more than once left a girl with a healthy dose of situational awareness.
“See ya, Daisy.” He seemed to tear his gaze off her to smile at Ina. “And very nice to meet you, Mari.”
Ina gave him a curt nod and started for the bus stop. Dalisay paused, but she had nothing to say. She just didn’t want to go.
“Your mom’s worried you’ll be late.” His voice had dropped low, intimate. It curled through her, leaving a warm tingle in her belly.
“Traffic,” was all she said. Her mind was wiped out as she stared up at him. His short but unruly hair was so adorable that it prevented the rest of his masculinity from being intimidating.
And the rest of him was oh-so masculine.
“Dali!” Ina’s voice cut through her thoughts.
Dalisay stiffened and then spun and jogged to Ina. She cast one last look over her shoulder.
Aaron waved, then tucked his hands into his pockets. People flowed around him as he watched them walk away. She peeled her gaze away befor
e she veered into the street.
They walked in silence for a few moments.
“I like him,” Dalisay finally said.
“I know.”
They pressed together on the bus. Ina remained quiet. Dalisay’s insides churned. They were in this together. As much as she liked Aaron, she couldn’t run off with him and leave Ina to pay the consequences. Peejong would take her in, but she’d be miserable and utterly dependent on him and Sally.
“Tell me what you really think,” Dalisay said.
Ina turned to her. “If he’s the same guy we met, no duplicity, then…” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “We don’t have time for the getting-to-know-you period. He needs to marry you, or we’re out on the streets.”
The lease.
Ina continued. “Or I’m cleaning Peejong’s home. And if Aaron won’t marry you within a month, then we know who will. I’m telling you again: we’re not bringing a man back to parade around the province who isn’t committed to you.”
Dalisay closed her eyes. No, that would be humiliating, and she already had one broken engagement.
Ina would accompany her for a few more dates, then she’d be on her own with Aaron and finally seal the deal. The slow burn of a developing relationship had to happen in days. They had their online time already. Now all she had to do was get him to say, “I do.”
***
Aaron gazed out his hotel room window as he talked to Jackson. “Remind Mom your conference is tomorrow.”
“I really don’t care if she goes or not. I’m doing fine.”
“She can still go and hear how well you’re doing. And Nicolas?”
“Yeah, he’s doing fine, too.” Jackson’s tone lightened in the way it does when he’s protecting Nicolas and his floundering grades.
“Mom needs to go, and I want each of you to go with her.”
“Dude, I’m a senior. I’m not trailing my mommy around the school.”
“Dude, you’re still in school.” And Mom had to act like a mom every once in a while. “Is Dad there?”
“He’s probably downstairs, asleep in front of the TV.”
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