The crunchy texture of the not-yet-pickled cabbage mixed with spices is refreshing. “So good.”
She nods, agreeing with me. I hold the jar out while she fills it with the fresh batch of kimchi. When it’s full, I screw the lid on it tightly and set it aside.
“This batch is your best one yet. I have no doubt everyone in town is going to love it,” I say, holding out another empty jar for her to fill.
“The only thing that would make it taste better would be cabbage from Anbandegi. We grew the sweetest cabbage I’ve ever tasted.”
“Really? I’d like to try it someday.”
“I hope you do. But you know what I think?” She pauses, glancing over at me. “I think it tasted sweeter because I worked hard for it.”
“Is this one of those sneak-attack lectures about how I need to be more self-sufficient?” I raise my brow at her.
“Not this time,” she says, laughing. “With all the hired help and your father running the business, I hadn’t felt a sense of purpose in a while. And everything seemed…tasteless.” She turns to face me. “Making kimchi for this town is giving me purpose. That’s why this batch tastes so good.”
“Now, that I believe.” I smile at her. “I’m so glad you’re doing this.”
“Me too.” She gives me a side hug, careful not to let her kimchi-stained gloves touch me.
Not too long after Mom and I clean the kitchen, Gavin comes home with jars from Callie’s house. He also brings with him an unexpected, but not unwelcome, guest.
“Hey, Brennan.” I angle my good side toward him.
“Hey, Elena. Hi, Mrs.Ok.” He nods politely since his hands are full.
Mom smiles affectionately at Brennan, then at the box in his hands. Her eyes widen. “That’s more than I was expecting.”
“Guess that means you’ll have to make more kimchi.” I give Mom a knowing look.
Mom smiles at me. “I don’t need all of them now, though. How about this? Elena, make space in the hall closet for Brennan. I’ll show Gavin where to put these in the shed.” Mom slips off her rubber gloves, lays them gently on the bowl, then leads Gavin outside to the shed.
“I didn’t know you were coming over,” I say to Brennan as I open the hall closet.
“I ran into Gavin on his way to Callie’s. Figured as long as I was there, I could help.”
“I’m sure you could,” I say, staring him up and down. There’s something else he can help me with. “Gavin’s going to work at the cafe later, and my parents have plans to go into town. You could keep me company while they’re gone,” I say, fluttering my lashes.
Instead of reacting to my suggestive tone, he’s completely unaffected. “Sorry, but I can’t.” He turns me down without an explanation.
So I try again. I compliment him, flip my hair, and laugh too loudly—all of my go-tos that usually do the trick, but none of them work. In fact, he does something I’ve never seen a guy do to my advances: nothing.
“Well, I better go,” he says after setting the box down. “Tell Gavin I said bye.”
“Okay.” I wave.
By the time he’s out of sight, Gavin and Mom come back from the shed.
“Did Brennan leave?” Gavin asks.
“Yeah. And he said to say bye to you,” I say flatly.
Gavin picks up on my mood. “Did something happen?”
“It doesn’t make sense. I thought we had a moment the other day,” I say, thinking aloud.
“El, I’m sorry. Maybe Brennan isn’t interested in dating anyone right now.”
“But that’s just it. A reliable source said he is interested in someone.” I don’t give Callie away since I gave her my word, although I’m pretty sure Gavin can figure it out. “And the same source strongly suggested it was me.”
