by Nia Arthurs
“Me?”
“Sweet Treats has been failing for a while now, but instead of bailing—which any sane person would do—Joon stood by you. He’s working hard to find a solution. And he’s really concerned about you. Did you know he’s been creating fake accounts just to put nice things on Sweet Treats’ social media pages?”
“What?”
“Yup.”
Sky laughed. “That’s kind of sneaky too.”
“Yeah but in a sweet way.” Jo paused. “So what do you say? Shall we go out tonight? I’m thinking Toucan Isle. We can eat by the water. Have a few drinks. Enjoy the sea breeze.”
She was still hesitant, but what the heck. It had been such a long time since she’d gone out or done anything even remotely fun. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Great. Tell Joon. I’ll pick you guys up around seven.”
She spoke in a rush before Jo hung up. “Can you tell Joon?”
“Me? Why?”
“Just do it.”
“Okay…” Jo drew out the word as if she expected a better explanation.
Sky offered none. “I’ll see you tonight.”
After hanging up, she returned to her seat and tapped her fingers against the surface of the counter.
What should she wear?
Sky could kiss Jo for giving her something else to think about. By the time closing rolled around, she had a much better grip on her emotions when it came to Joon and their romantic moment in the kitchen.
When he appeared to help her lock up, she smiled at him as if nothing had happened.
“You okay?” Joon asked, thin eyelashes fluttering. He seemed hesitant, unsure. Unlike his usual, egotistical self.
“Yeah.” She turned the key and tested the door to make sure it was secure. “I’m great. Did Jo call you?”
“She did.”
“Are you coming?”
“Should I?” His eyebrows hiked.
“Of course.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. Saw the moment his gaze trekked there before returning to her face. Sky’s smile trembled but she kept it in place. “You’re not just a valued member of the Sweet Treats’ team. You’re also a friend.”
“Friend?”
“That’s right.” She jerked her chin down. “Jo’s stopping by in an hour and I have a lot to do.” She tugged at her dry curls. “Let’s finish this up and run home.”
Joon’s confused expression lingered but he didn’t say more.
Sky hustled out of the store.
The night was still and hot, as if the entire world was holding its breath. Joon hung behind even though, with his long legs, he could easily catch up to her. Sky could only assume that he was still in ‘keep my distance’ mode.
Her stomach churned with nerves, but she took a deep breath and released the anxiety. She refused to let the awkwardness between them keep her from having a good time. Joon and Sweet Treats had eaten more than enough of her energy.
When they got home, Joon Gi disappeared into his room.
She took over the bathroom. In under an hour, she was shaved, plucked, primped and ready. Sky swept into her bedroom to apply perfume and shot a quick look in the mirror.
Perfection.
She’d drenched her hair with water and dunked enough leave-in conditioner to keep it tight and coily all night. It had been a while since she’d applied heavy makeup, but it all came back to her after a few YouTube tutorials. Her dress was a red, off-the-shoulder that flared at the knees. Simple and pretty.
She felt like a million bucks as she slipped her feet into heels and headed outside. It had been so long. Too long. Sky was so often the dowdy baker covered in flour and worries that she’d forgotten what it felt like to be young and hot.
“Alright,” she said, head down as she stuffed her cell phone into her small purse and strolled into the living room, “I’m ready.”
Silence.
She glanced up and found Joon Gi staring openly at her. He snapped his jaw shut and blinked twice. “Wow, Sky. You look…”
“What?” She fluttered her hands in encouragement. “I look what?”
“Gorgeous.”
Her heart thrilled, but she didn’t let it show. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Joon Gi wore a navy dress shirt—top button open—and a pair of black jeans. He could be wearing a sack and he’d still ooze sex appeal. Sky shook her head enviously. While she’d rushed to prepare, all he did was throw on some clothes and he still made her breathless.
Honking broke their private stare down.
Joon Gi gestured to the door. “Shall we?”
Sky nodded, suddenly more nervous than before.
Joon Gi escorted her to the car waiting on the sidewalk. Sky slipped into the front and greeted Jo who was stunning in a ruffled white shirt and a short black romper. Her wild black hair curled all over her head.
“Sky, girl, you’re giving me a heart attack!” Jo clutched her chest. “It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you dressed up. You’re going to break someone’s heart tonight.” Jo eased closer, her glossy lips stretching with mischief. “Who’s it going to be?”
“We’ll see,” Sky said breezily, resisting the urge to glance behind her at Joon.
Jo chattered all the way to Toucan Isle, a hip restaurant and bar overlooking a wide canal. Every inch of the place was filled to capacity. When Sky saw the frazzled hostess standing behind a podium, she figured they’d either have to leave or stand by the bar and wait for a table.
Neither option appealed.
Before they could decide on what to do, a familiar face popped out of the crowd and waved. “Sky!” A moment later, Sun Gi barreled into her and gave her a hug. She returned it stiffly, confused by his warmth.
Joon Gi swatted his brother off. “What are you doing here?”
“Who is this?” Jo pointed and then mouthed, “He’s hot.”
Sky chuckled and silently agreed.
“I’m Joon’s favorite brother.” Sun Gi flashed a lethal smile that Sky was sure had seduced many, many girls.
“I’m sorry,” the hostess approached. “We don’t have any tables available.”
Joon took her hand as if to lead her away. “Then we should find somewhere else.”
“Not so fast.” Sun Gi snatched her hand back. “Why don’t you join my table?”
“No.” Joon growled.
“Yes.” Sky smiled warmly at Sun Gi. “I would love to.”
She tossed a defiant look over her shoulder as Sun Gi led her into the crowded restaurant.
Tonight, I’m forgetting all about you Joon. Try and stop me.
23
JOON COULD THINK of many ways to stop Sky from running off with Sun Gi, but they all ended with him getting slapped or thrown back in jail, so he kept his peace and planted his feet to the ground like a tree while Sky was whisked away.
This was not what he’d signed up for.
The last thing he wanted to do tonight was share Sky with his brother. Of course, Sun Gi would try to flirt with her. He couldn’t really blame the guy. Sun Gi had eyes. So did every other man in this place.
They never should have come out tonight. At least, not while Sky was looking like that.
He scowled into the distance, wishing he could tackle his brother and punch him into oblivion.
Jo tapped his shoulder. “Aren’t you coming?”
“No.”
Her eyebrows hiked. Maybe. He wasn’t so sure. Even though the restaurant was well lit, Joon could barely see her face because of the gigantic hair expanding all around her head.
“Why?”
Joon didn’t really have an answer to that. He just knew that spending an evening with Sun Gi trying his best to flirt with Sky in front of him sounded like the opposite of a good time.
“I’m tired.”
“Tired?” She laughed. “Come on, Joon. You and Sky totally need this.”
Joon protested but she grabbed his arm and tugged him along. He sh
uffled past tables of richly dressed Belizeans. Steady reggae music thrummed in the air. The announcer at the front of the restaurant invited people to sing karaoke on the stage.
Sun Gi’s table was on the lower tier of Toucan Isle, built directly over the water. A sturdy railing prevented customers from tumbling over the edge, but if he peeked between his shoes he could fool himself into thinking he was walking on water.
“Look at that.” Jo sighed and jutted her chin forward. “Your brother is such a gentleman.”
He looked up and found Sun Gi pulling Sky’s chair out for her. His smile was gentle, tinged with admiration.
Joon’s stomach twisted into knots.
If he couldn’t have Sky, he didn’t want Sun Gi getting her either.
“He’s not a gentleman,” Joon bit out.
“Am I sensing some jealousy there?”
“No.”
“Don’t worry. Your brother’s only a little cuter than you.” She held her thumb and pointer a milliliter apart.
“What?”
Jo threw her hands around him as she explained. “You’ve both got that aristocratic Asian prince thing going for you, but he’s got an extra—I don’t know what it is. While you’ve got this rough swag, Sun Gi seems smooth. Does that make any sense?”
“No.”
“Okay then.”
Joon snarled at his brother as he said something to make Sky laugh. She tilted her head, curls sweeping her naked shoulders, and giggled. The sound danced on the rippling waves and echoed back to him.
The sight lit a match deep in his belly.
Anger and something that felt a lot like envy flared to life.
“Joon?” Jo’s brown eyes narrowed with concern. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” He shook her touch off and strode determinedly to Sun Gi’s table.
Just play it cool and protect Sky. That’s all you’re here to do.
Easier said than done.
It would be a miracle if he got through the night without mortally wounding his brother.
As they got nearer, he noticed that there were two other men seated around the table. His eyes flitted to the one on Sky’s left.
Luis Su.
Sun Gi’s long time friend since childhood. His family owned a chain of pricy motels.
The second guy wasn’t Asian. Joon couldn’t really tell what his ethnicity was. He had light brown skin, short hair and green eyes.
“Yo!” Luis almost toppled out of his chair. “Is that really you, Joon? I thought you were still in the slammer.”
Joon’s frown deepened.
He’d never liked this kid.
“Nice to see you, Luis.”
“Is that your infamous brother?” Mixed Guy asked.
Sun Gi strung his arm behind Sky’s chair. “In the flesh.”
Joon glared at the hand.
Sun Gi curved it around Sky’s shoulders spitefully.
“Thank you so much for putting us up.” Jo, unaware of the simmering tension, smiled prettily. “We thought it was a lost cause when we saw the crowds.”
“Beautiful ladies like yourselves wouldn’t have stayed lonely for long,” Luis said with a sleazy grin.
Are they seriously buying this junk?
A look at both Jo and Sky’s beaming faces said they were.
“As you all know, I’m Sun Gi.” His brother pointed to his chest. “Those jokers over there are Luis and Arnold.”
“Hey.” Sky wiggled her fingers.
Joon read the glint of interest in Luis’s eyes and cleared his throat to divert the attention of the table. “I’m Sun Gi’s older brother.”
“It’s been what?” Sun Gi paused and tilted his head. “About two months since you’ve been released from jail?”
Joon remained stonily silent.
He didn’t mind his brother’s taunts under usual circumstances, but he hated that his flaws were pointed out in front of Sky. After all, his bankruptcy and criminal record were the reasons he couldn’t allow himself to go there with her.
“How was life in prison?” Arnold leaned over. “Was it like the movies?”
Sky stared at the table.
Jo placed a hand to her chin. “Well? Is it?”
“I didn’t go to a normal prison. There’s a different place for people who commit white-collar crimes.”
“So you got a posh room with a TV and stuff?” Arnold laughed raucously. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
It was the worst seven days of his life and Joon resented the fact that these guys were taking it as a joke.
“I’m starving,” Sky spoke up.
Everyone turned and stared at her.
She smiled shyly. “Should we call a waitress?”
Joon caught her eye while Sun Gi twisted around to get someone’s attention. An unspoken message passed between them before she dragged her gaze away and focused on the Marie Sharp pepper sauces in the middle of the table.
She’d bailed him out of an awkward conversation, but he sensed things still weren’t fully healed between them. Not after he’d started to kiss her and bailed.
He stared longingly at her bowed head.
It’s for your own good, Sky.
He’d been carried away by his emotions. Couldn’t even dream of having Sky the way he wanted to. But at least she didn’t hate him for it. Joon would have been crushed if he’d lost her entirely because of that one mistake.
The waitress brought a round of drinks and took their orders. Sun Gi slipped a bottle in front of Sky and she downed it in two seconds flat. The guys clapped rowdily and slid more bottles forward in reward.
He glanced at Jo, waiting for her to say something about Sky’s reckless drinking.
She didn’t.
He cleared his throat and flicked his gaze to Sky. “Maybe you should slow down there.”
“I’m fine,” she said on the heels of a hiccup.
“She’s fine, big brother.” Sun Gi taunted. “Don’t be such a stick in the mud.”
Joon gritted his teeth. He’d never in a million years imagined that he’d be here, sitting across the table and eating with the man who’d betrayed him. If it wasn’t for Sky, he’d upturn the entire table.
Violence wouldn’t win him any points though. Sky already thought he was a dishonest businessman. Sun Gi and his friends kept rubbing in the fact that he’d gone to prison.
Neither was helping his image.
The sooner this night ended, the happier he’d be.
Twenty minutes later, their food arrived. Jo had to clear Sky’s side of the table so the waitress could find a bare spot to set down her plate amidst the empty beer bottles.
He kept a watchful eye on her as she ate, but Sky didn’t complain about feeling dizzy or sick.
She doesn’t look it, but she’s a heavy drinker.
“I’m curious,” Jo said over her plate of rice and beans with chicken nuggets. “What was Joon like as a child?”
“Why are you curious about that?” he mumbled.
“Because in my head, he slipped out of the womb in a suit with his black hair all slicked back.” Jo pointed to his hair.
Sky burst out laughing.
Joon stiffened.
She covered her mouth with a hand and shook her head. “Sorry.”
“What was he like?” Sun Gi eased back while Luis and Arnold looked on with big grins. “He took his role of older sibling seriously and was always bossing me around.”
“Because you were a handful.”
“Don’t act like you were such a saint.” Sun Gi lifted one finger from the neck of his bottle and whispered conspiratorially. “This guy was always sneaking out to meet girls in the middle of the night. My parents still don’t know how many times he did.”
“Oh.” Jo smirked. “So you were a ladies man. Tell me more, Sun Gi.”
“Don’t,” Joon warned.
Sun Gi smiled and sipped his beer. “My brother’s glaring at me so I won’t push my luck.”
> “What about you, Sun Gi?” Sky set her chin on her hands and blinked slowly. “Were you a ladies man?”
“I tried but I could never get the ladies as smoothly as Joon did. Maybe I’m not as cute.” He shrugged.
“I thnk you’re cute.” Sky pinched his cheek.
Enraged, Joon stared at them.
“Thanks, Sky.” Sun Gi sighed. “At least one person appreciates me.”
A round of applause interrupted his rambling. Sky glanced toward the stage where the drunken couple that had been assaulting everyone with their horrid rendition of ‘Somebody To Love’ stumbled back to their table.
Sky gasped and grabbed onto Sun Gi’s arm. “Let’s go sing.”
Jo pumped her fist. “Yes!”
Luis and Arnold bowed out.
Joon did too.
“I don’t sing,” he said roughly when Jo tried to nudge him out of his seat.
“Joon doesn’t know how to have fun anymore,” Sun Gi said, taking a long swig of his beer before standing. “He only knows about business.”
Sky pouted. “Please, Joon?”
He stared at her beguiling brown eyes, dropped his gaze to the dangerous curves barely hidden in the stunning red dress. Back to her eyes.
Joon hated the spotlight and hated singing in public even more, but what he found tumbling out of his mouth was, “Fine.”
Sky squealed. Sun Gi stretched his hand out to her and helped her toward the stage. Joon watched their interaction with fuming jealousy.
He hoped it was the liquor and not Sky’s attraction to his brother that was making her so affectionate tonight.
The announcer beamed from ear-to-ear when he saw them and picked up his mike to announce. “Look at that, ladies and gentlemen. This is why Belize is called a melting pot of cultures! Give it up for my Chinese and black brothers.”
“We’re Korean.” Joon grunted.
The announcer pulled on his ear and mouthed, “What?”
Joon just rolled his eyes and gave up.
Sky grabbed the mike from the announcer and tossed her hair. With a wink to the DJ, she wiggled her hips and yelled, “Hit it!”
The opening strains of a well-known reggae song played. Jo, Sun Gi and Joon stood stiffly and sang from one shared mike.