His eyes widened. Did cobalt blaze that bright? “Of course, you do. It’s not you.Aiyajust spills out. I keep forgetting. I’m just back from Beijing.”
“Beijing!” she exclaimed. “That’s where I want to go. How was it?” The connection of a faraway land made this stranger feel familiar.
Long fingers swung the spigot closed, then swiped a paper towel. He dried between each digit. “Hai keyi.”
She couldn’t help herself, air expelled at his use of the phrase that roughly translated topretty good. “You sound like a native,” she said.
“Hardly. Do you speak Mandarin?”
Her vision adjusted to the brightness. Light surfed his wavy hair. His blue eyes crinkled. “Bu hui.” She shook her headno.
Humor erupted from him. “You could’ve fooled me, since you answered in Chinese.”
Despite her bladder’s protests, he’d made her chuckle again. “I need to learn more, if I want a shot at this overseas assignment. I’m too old for the kids’ TV seriesNi Hao, Kai Lan, and I don’t have enough time for a semester at NYU.”Why am I babbling to this stranger?
He chuckled again, balled up his paper towel, and lobbed it towards the garbage can. It sailed like a swan dive, as if refusing to mess with this guy’s perfection. “The key is getting the accent right. In Beijing, they add an ‘r’ sound at the end of certain words.”
“Then I’m completely screwed.”
“If you’re smart enough for an overseas assignment, I’m sure you could learn Chinese. Do you need the bathroom?” he asked. “I think the lock’s broken. I’ll stand guard for you, like this is Mao’s tomb.”
She guffawed. This guy was a riot.
He left the bathroom and stood just outside the door.
She finished using the bathroom and regarded her reflection as she washed her hands. Blue-streaked locks were swept to one side. She had figured that the drama of kohl-rimmed eyes for an evening out would deter most ordinary men. The darker she could amplify her appearance, perhaps the safer she could keep herself. Self-protection came first.
She refocused on what really mattered.Now that I’ve told Mandy, I really need to make this assignment happen.Internally armored, she stepped out. There was Beckham, protecting the broken door. Someone who kept promises.
“Mao’s safe,” she shouted over the deafening beat.
His lips widened over ultra-white teeth, brightened by the club’s blacklight. His easy charm could belong on a men’s fashion shoot.
“That was embarrassing,” she admitted.
“Not really. It’s dark in here.”
The bar’s partygoers grooved across the dance floor. Orchid paused, and saw that he had noticed her hesitation at the crowd.
One deft move, and he parted a clearing through the dancers. He beckoned for her to follow. Looking after her again.
Away from the density of bodies, Beckham looked back to check on her. Seeing her a few steps behind, he grinned and busted a move.
She couldn’t help her mirth. How had she left for a simple trip to the loo and returned with a bilingual Adonis?
As they neared Mandy and her pace slowed. Her friend looked back and forth between them.
“You were gone forever. I almost called the National Guard,” Mandy yelled over the music.
“Speaking of guard, this is…” Orchid ogled her kind protector.
He saved her. “Phoenix. Nice to meet you,” he raised a hand in greeting. Mandy’s mouth parted and nothing came out. He really was drop-dead gorgeous. Stop.
“Thanks again.” Orchid waved and turned to speak with her friend.
“Bye…um,” he paused, waiting for Orchid to fill in the blank.
“Kai Lan,” she deadpanned.
