“You think any of us do?” Scott chuckled, shaking his head as Jay watched his friends wrapped up in their significant others. “Feeling you can or can’t do something is different from knowing you can. Or realizing that making someone else happy is never going to be easy. But you let yourself try anyway.”
“I did try, remember,” he said, kicking the sand a little and pouting. “I tried and I was left being celebrity chika for being a good luck charm.”
“And look how many people you’ve made happy since then,” Scott reminded him, nudging his head to where Alex and Tori were whispering and giggling at each other. Tori was shaking her head as Alex kissed her new wife’s knuckles. “You could be so good at loving Mara if you let yourself. But to love is to be brave, Jay. And I know you’re such a cutie-pie that you get scared of ocean seaweed—”
“I thought it was asnake, okay!”
“But you’re no coward,” Scott said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
* * * * *
After the photos, they all headed back to the reception area to grab a few drinks before dinner.
It was too late for merienda, but too early for dinner, which Jay had recalled was a major dilemma when planning the wedding. The solution had come in the form of mini Jamaican patties from a stall in D’Mall, and pairing that with the resort’s afternoon iced teas and their famous mojito slush. Given the atmosphere, Jay quickly realized it was as good a solution as any.
He was about to make his way to the Jamaican patties—he’d heard good things about the cheesy beef flavor—when he spotted Mara talking to someone. Someone tall, with hair that flopped in a Korean-drama-hot-guy way, wearing a beige linen suit, a silver bracelet and fancy but laid-back leather loafers. They were both laughing at something, in that way people did when they were being polite but enjoying themselves. Jay could tell—whoever tall guy was, he was checking Mara out, keeping his eyes on her whenever she turned away from him.
Meanwhile Mara’s cheeks were flushed, like she was either hot from the blazing sun or…blushing. She laughed heartily, but she always laughed in conversation. The guy’s hand was resting on the table, near where she was leaning her elbow.
Maybe they were touching?
“Jay,” Mara said brightly, her cheeks pink from the heat as she smiled at him. It made Jay’s heart do a little flip, but he ignored that. “Here he is, the best man himself. Are you off duty?”
“Not quite yet, but I think we’ll make it through.” He chuckled, putting on his charm armor. He plucked out the orchid from his boutonniere and held it up to Mara for a second before reaching to tuck it behind her ear. If his fingers tingled, if his heart skipped a beat in his chest, nobody else had to know. But the surprise on her face was clear.
Jay put his sunglasses back on and smiled to the new person. He was very tall. Much taller than Jay, and more broad in the chest. But his smile was polite and easy, the kind of guy who knew how to meet people.
“This is Perry,” Mara said, introducing them. “He and David know each other, and apparently he’s Tori’s new boss at Fox Gallery.”
“Unlucky for her,” Perry (Perry? Seriously?) said sheepishly. “I love Tori’s vision, though. We were just talking about what we could do that was a little more interactive, but still a kind of piece people didn’t need a whole context for to appreciate.”
“I’ve always thought modern art was confusing. I’m an easy guy. I like when something is big and shiny. It makes my heart race in a weird way.”
“Just like a Girls’ Generation song.” Beside him, Mara chortled. Perry was excellent at hiding his confusion, but Jay laughed along.
“Modern art is what you make of it. Doesn’t have to be that deep.” Perry shrugged. “Honestly, my favorite piece is this portrait I had commissioned of my dog, Rita.” He was sheepish as he held up his phone screen, showing a frankly excellent painting of a happy looking golden retriever. “But I was just actually asking Mara if I could commission her for a floral piece for the next exhibition.”
The red hue on Mara’s cheeks deepened, and Jay didn’t have to be a part of the flower industry to know that she was being offered something big. Tori had told him about her work at Fox Gallery in Salcedo—how it was a job she held on to by her fingernails because rare was the gallery that could tread the line between the rich people’s favorite while also feeling welcome to all. Apparently Perry’s family really saw Philippine art as their pet cause, and it showed in their current success.
“That sounds amazing,” Jay enthused, turning to Mara. He had no idea what Wildflower needed or did as a business, but given her work that he’d seen so far, the way she made Alex’s eyes widen at the thought behind her bouquet, and the thought she gave behind her sister’s flowers… Mara knew more about the meaning to flowers than any book. “Did you say yes?”
“I’m still trying to work my magic on her.” Perry smiled. It was a slow, gentle smile, and Jay understood why his eyes were only for Mara. “But that neck piece you made for Alex is exquisite.”
The three of them turned to look at Alex, who was talking with a group of people while Tori had a hand resting on the small of her back, skin-to-skin contact thanks to a very convenient backless top. Mara had made Alex a little necklace at the last minute, a few carnations and a rose on a long, pale blue leather cord. It softened Alex’s usual stern expression, like the flowers were deep feelings for Tori that she couldn’t keep hidden.
“I’m still thinking about it,” Mara admitted. She was gorgeous in the golden sun, and he wondered vaguely how many more times he would get to see Mara like that. He’d hoped there were more. “I’ve got—” she glanced at Jay “—a few things on my plate I’m still trying to handle.”
Jay wanted to tell her to just go for it, that their arrangement surely had nothing to do with her work.
“Something we should probably discuss over dinner sometime?” Perry asked. “I would love to discuss a future together with you, among other things. I think you would love 06/13. Best tasting menu in Manila.”
And then, it happened.
Shehiccuped. Once. Twice.
It seemed to catch her by surprise, and clearly the guy thought it was fucking adorable, and—Jay’s stomach twisted. He knew that feeling. He had it whenever he was anxious or when he ordered mala noodles one level of spice higher than his usual.
From the look of utter shock on her face, Mara didn’t miss Perry’s very thinly veiled question. He was asking her out on a date to the restaurant with the most chic tasting menu available in Manila. With that single sentence, he promised a nice evening where they would discuss flowers and art. Then he would tell her all the ways she was wonderful, make her feel beautiful and desired, and that would lead to more dates, more getting to know each other, to falling in love, and—well.
