He looked crushed at that question. “I’ve been trying to source a good one. You know how so many Earl Greys taste really fake? Like the bergamot is like, wow, holytoo much. I’m looking for an all-natural one. We do have a rad oolong, though.”
“Okay,” Maricel said. “I’ll have a milk oolong with grass jelly. Half-sweet, please.”
“Awesome choice. You’ll love the oolong. I’ll get these made and will be back for your food order in a few.” He grinned again and left the table. Maricel’s eyes were glued to him, specifically to his backside, as he walked away.
“He’s adorable,” Kamila said.
“What? Oh.” Maricel quickly looked back at Kamila, blushing. “Yes. And um…friendly.”
“I didn’t realize you were so into tea.”
“Oh, I’m not really. I just don’t like supersweet drinks. My lola said I’m the only Filipino she knows who doesn’t like sugary drinks. My cousin brought me this Earl Grey from England last year, and I’ve been trying to find one as good here.”
They talked about tea for a while before Kamila steered the conversation back where it belonged. “So, about Dane. Are you interested in meeting him?”
Maricel frowned. “Of course! I mean, I always like to meet your friends. I had such a nice time at your movie night last week. Thank—”
“Maricel, I’m asking if you want me to set you up with him.”
“With who?”
This was frustrating. “Dane.”
Maricel smiled widely. “Oh! That’s why you wanted me to meet him! I understand now!”
Kevin showed up with their teas then. “Here you go, ladies,” he said, sliding the two cold glasses toward them.
Kamila took a sip of hers. It was delicious. “Wow, you guysdomake awesome tea!”
“Of course! I told you we were the best. How’s the oolong?”
Maricel took a sip, and a look of surprise transformed her face. “It’s good! Perfect sweetness.”
“That’s what I love about oolong,” Kevin said. “It’s so delicate that you don’t need a lot of sugar. My family is convinced I’m not actually related to them because I don’t like supersweet stuff.”
Maricel laughed. “My family, too!”
Kevin leaned in to Maricel subtly. “Do they secretly put more sugar in your coffee when you’re not looking?”
“Yes!”
He laughed. “Are you two ordering from the food menu?”
Kamila picked it up. It was also extensive. “What do you recommend?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Kevin said. “We’re famous for our beef noodle soup.”
Kamila closed her menu. “Perfect. I’ll take that.”
“Me too,” Maricel said.
After Kevin was gone from the table, Kamila decided to put Operation Maricel and Dane Equals True Love on ice for a bit. They were here to discuss Maricel’s business plan. Kamila pulled a binder out of her tote.
“Okay. I did some market research, and I think this plan is competitive. Your overhead isn’t much, since dog training doesn’t need a lot of special equipment, but rent is going to be high in most neighborhoods that have a lot of dogs. Did your aunt agree to come on board to sew dog clothes to sell, too?”
Maricel nodded. “Oh yes—I forgot! I have some samples for Darcy.” She handed Kamila a plastic bag. Kamila opened it to see a tiny doggie jean jacket and a Hawaiian print shirt.
“Eeee!” Kamila squealed. “These are amazing. Yes, you have to sell these. I’ll help boost them on my socials…They’ll be flying off the shelves. For locations, any interest in going farther east? There is a grant you can apply for for new businesses by women of color in Scarborough. Also, I was thinking—this might be premature—but if this goes well, we should approach venture capitalists to expand. Pet services are such a growing market.”
