I arched an eyebrow. “Did you eat on the train?”
“No.”
“There’s a good Indian restaurant just over the road.”
Jae grimaced. “I can’t afford to eat out. I could cook for us while I’m staying with you. As a thank you.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
I took us to the lift and pressed the Call button. I could have manhandled the suitcase down the steps and escalators, but I wasn’t so sure Jae would be able to handle the make-up case. I could see the Indian I’d mentioned from where we were standing.
“Let me pay for dinner.”
Jae’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t—”
“Yes, you could. Come on.”
I marched away from the lift. Jae would either have to come with me or stand and wait for me. I smiled as he jogged after me.
“You don’t need to buy me dinner.”
“I know I don’t need to, but I want to. I’m starving,” I added to make things less weird.
We didn’t have any trouble getting a table. Our server took Jae’s luggage and put it to one side for us so it wouldn’t be in our or anyone else’s way. Poppadoms and a pickle tray were brought to the table while we checked the menu.
“How have you been?” Jae asked. “I can’t believe it’s been three years since I last saw you.”
I broke a poppadom up and dipped a piece in the cucumber raita. “I’m good. Busy making content for my channels.”
Jae choked on a piece of poppadom.
“Shit. Are you okay?” I stood and walked around the table so I could pat him on the back.
“Fine,” he gasped before gulping the tap water he’d been given. “It’s going well?”
“Yeah. I make more than enough to live off comfortably.”
“That’s—great.” He smiled, even though he was still coughing.
I sat. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Uh-huh. It went down the wrong way.” He drank more water.
“I didn’t know you wanted to be a model.” As I said the words aloud, I doubted they were truthful. Somewhere in the dimness of my memories, I was sure I did know this was his dream.
“Oh, you know…my parents don’t approve, so I don’t talk about it much.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. I know all about disapproving parents.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s their loss. I could have paid off their mortgage by now, but they’re not interested.”
Jae stared at me slack-jawed. “You’re kidding?”
I shook my head.
“You’re—wow. I knew you had a big following on YouTube, but I had no idea.”
