Chapter 30
Aunt Rose
Jay
Present Day
“Okaywhatisgoingon with you two?” I say, narrowing my eyes at Cora as she fluffs the pillows in our front sitting room. That’s right—our. Marco and I officially moved in yesterday, and I would like to keep christening each room with them, but they’re acting weird and evasive. Marco is cooking a bigger meal than normal in the kitchen, and Cora has been straightening things and cleaning even though the house is immaculate. Of course, I’ve been following her and cleaning with her, though they won’t explain themselves.
Cora looks at the clock on the wall and then peers into the kitchen at Marco. He gives her a nod.
What the hell?
“Alright, baby,” she sighs. “We knew you’d be too anxious if we told you beforehand, so here it is: My Uncle Richard and Aunt Rose are coming here for dinner tonight.”
Still a little confused, I ask, “Why would I be—” I gasp as realization dawns. “Your Aunt Rose? Your Korean Aunt Rose.”
“Half-Korean,” she corrects.
“Oh my god—”
Cora puts her hands on my shoulders. “It’s going to be fine. They’re excited to meet you,” she smiles and my body relaxes the tiniest bit. But then there’s a knock at the door and I jump, reaching for the door before Cora can.
I swing it open and Cora comes up behind me, then swing open the next door—fuck, why do we have so many doors?—and stare at, presumably, her aunt and uncle.
Aunt Rose’s mouth drops when she sees me. “He’s KOREAN?” she shrieks, then wraps her arms around me like a vice grip.
Hugging her back just as fiercely, I chuckle, “I’m Korean. I’m also Jay. Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
She releases me but still holds onto my arms as she looks past me to Cora. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, missy.”
Cora scoots next to me and hugs her uncle who’s holding a big, round decorative tin. “Hi, Uncle Rich.” This man looks like he yachts. It’s the middle of winter and he has a tan, all white hair, and a genuine smile with decades of evidence around his eyes. I can certainly see some similarities in Cora and her uncle. They have the same eyes. The same cheekbones.
“Hi, honey. It’s so good to see you. We missed you.”
Cora releases him and I shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir. I’m Jay.”
“And I’m Marco,” my boyfriend chimes in, extending his hand to Richard. They shake and exchange pleasantries, but then Rose hugs him with gusto too.
Rose looks at her niece with a lascivious grin. “Holy smokes. Good for you, honey.”
I guide everybody out of the February wind and shut the doors. Marco has already placed wine glasses and a bottle of red on the coffee table.
Jeez, they planned everything. I’m simultaneously puzzled and amazed that they know me well enough to know I’d probably freak out if I knew more than five minutes ahead of time.
Marco takes their coats and I take in Rose. Sleek black hair cut just past her shoulders, an asymmetric red blouse that looks one-of-a-kind, and trendy jeans. I take a good long look at her delicate facial features—so much like my own.
I feel awkward in my basic clothes compared to them, but Cora and Marco are wearing their weekend home clothes, so I don’t feelasout of place.
“Everyone grab a glass, and we’ll go have a seat for dinner,” Cora announces, gesturing toward the back of the main floor.
The three of them head to the dining room as I take a turn into the kitchen to help Marco bring dishes out. He’s made frutti de mare, which—holy fucking shit—is a special occasion dish. Fresh homemade pasta, fresh shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari—complete with salad and buttery garlic crostinis.
The man went all out.
I size him up. “You knew she was coming.”
“Yeah. I was too afraid to make Korean food in case I insulted her or something. So I went with my show stopper.”
