I vowed I’d never care about anybody ever again, but he keeps testing my resolve. Part of me wants to take the leap, but the bigger part—the one that’s paranoid about self-preservation—says no. If things go wrong…if my heart is ripped to shreds again after falling for Bryceagain, I’m never going to recover. The first time was difficult enough. I’m not fully over the ordeal—so many scars still mar my soul.
Is Bryce upset because he believes I used him for my petty revenge against Jude over the phone? Once the highly charged moments passed, logic reasserted itself. I recognize what I did was immature…albeit sooo satisfying.
Since the ground rules of our marriage don’t say anything about my getting a job, I send out a few résumés for marketing positions. If I’m going to be in L.A. for two years, I need to have a routine, with a job, so I’m not wasting my life sitting at home. Plus, I don’t want to use Bryce’s money if I can help it. We are technically married, but it feels wrong to touch the credit cards he left out on the kitchen counter.
A week later, I head to a café to meet with Akiko, whom I was hoping to see again. With me is a huge bouquet of pink peonies and hands clammy with nerves. Crimson red roses caught my eyes at the flower shop, but they wouldn’t fit the muted, elegant décor of her home. Hopefully Akiko likes them. I gave flowers to Sherry all the time, but she never seemed to really see the bouquets. It wasn’t until later that Zachary told me to stop because Finley never gave her flowers, and it made her feel uncomfortable. Since then, I’ve never bought flowers for anybody. But I didn’t want to meet Akiko empty-handed, and I don’t know her well enough to pick something else.
Located on the first floor of the Aylster, Merry is an opulent café done with sparkling golden marble and a fresh flower centerpiece on each table covered with a thick white cloth. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high, airy ceiling. Classical music flows from the sound system. Very classy. Very expensive.
I spot Akiko in a booth. She’s in a chic sage-green dress and matching jacket. Black pearls hang from her earlobes and circle her neck. I’m glad I put on a cream-colored top and floral apricot skirt. Otherwise, I’d feel underdressed.
She stands and hugs me. “Thanks for coming out to see me, my dear.”
“Hello, Akiko.” I hug her back, then shift my weight awkwardly and present the flowers. “Here. For you.”
Her eyes widen, and she lets out a soft exclamation. “Oh my. They’re gorgeous. Thank you!” She buries her nose in the peonies. “They smell so good. I love them.”
Some tension in my shoulders loosens. Although in my head I knew she wouldn’t openly reject the flowers, deep inside I was braced for it.
She studies my face with concern, then relaxes. “You look well.”
“Thank you.” I flush as we sit down at the booth. “Sorry Imade you worry at dinner the other night. I shouldn’t have broken down like that.”
“Not at all. You should let it out. It isn’t healthy to hold everything inside. Besides, if you can’t let go with your family, whocanyou do it with?” She pats the back of my hand.
A server comes over to take our order. Akiko gets green tea, and I opt for milk tea. She purses her lips. “Let’s also get some dessert trays. They’re so good here.” She requests a set of tiered trays with two of everything.
“That’s way too much, isn’t it?” I ask in surprise. Given how little she served at the dinner, I don’t suppose she’s going to eat more than a bite or two.
“I like to try what they have on offering. We can split them, so it won’t be that much.” She gives me a mischievous smile. “Just between you and me, I’m obsessed with desserts. It’s just that I try not to overeat because diabetes runs in my father’s family. But since it’s our first mom-and-daughter date, I believe it’s correct to splurge.”
A tight, hot knot forms in my throat at the easy way she calls me her daughter. I inhale to regain control of my emotions.Irefuseto cry again!
The waiter returns with our drinks. He places two gorgeous white porcelain pots filigreed with silver on the table, then expertly pours the green tea into the matching cup for Akiko and does the same with the Ceylon tea for me, then sets a miniature jug of fresh organic milk beside my tea. Then comes a huge silver frame holding five trays laden with various mini-desserts.
“Wow.” I was here a couple of times before with the Obermans, but never had their desserts. Apparently, Finley never did because Sherry was worried about cavities, so I wasn’t allowed to have any either.
Akiko takes a bite of a chocolate mousse. “Mmm. It’s good. Have some.”
I pick up the other piece. The rich cream fills my mouth, and I close my eyes in bliss. “This is amazing.”
She sighs softly. “If they’d just get their green tea right, the place would be marvelous.”
I glance at her teacup. Unlike most green tea, it’s actually verdant green. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Just a little off. I can see why Bryce complained about it.” At my curious gaze, she adds, “He’s always disappointed with green tea in America, so he just sticks to coffee. He got spoiled because my mother introduced him to how green tea ought to taste. She was a tea master. InKyoto.” Akiko smiles with pride. “A little unusual for a woman, but it was her dream and she achieved it.”
“She must have been a lovely woman.”
“She was. She doted on the boys, and they were very sweet to her. When she passed away, she included them in her will.” Akiko’s eyes mist. The affection in her gaze shines. “My cousins joked that she liked hergaijingrandsons more than her blood relatives, but I’m glad they had such a loving relationship.”
“Your family sounds amazing.”
“Ourfamily,” Akiko says. “You’re Mrs. Bryce Huxley. Speaking of which…” She places a glossy black bag on the table. “For you.”
I look at the unexpected offering with surprise and pleasure. I pat myself on the back for bringing the flowers.
“Open it,” she says, her eyes twinkling.
