Parker raised an eyebrow, and Hwan huffed.
“You do know you’re in a bubble tea shop, right?” Parker said.
I almost retorted back, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I remembered this was supposed to be my taking-it-easy day, and I think that included not snapping back at people.
“Fine, I’ll have whatever is good,” I said.
“Everything we sell is good,” Hwan pointed out and walked behind the counter with Ella, passing her to Parker. “Isn’t she adorable? Just think it won’t be long now before we get our own little rugrat.”
I narrowed my eyes and processed what he’d said. I was about to ask them what they were talking about when I noticed the black and pink ring on Hwan’s finger and gasped.
“Is that what I think it is?”
I looked from one to the other, and even Parker smiled. It wasn’t a regular occurrence, which was why he felt like a kindred spirit.
“It sure is. He proposed!” Hwan said and extended his hand to show me the ring.
“What? When?”
Enzo glared at me.
“Remember the Halloween party you couldn’t attend because you were too busy working?”
I grimaced.
“That was, like, a month ago. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Had it really been over a month since I’d seen these guys? I could have sworn I’d been into town last week.
Fuck. It was so easy to lose track of the days when I spent every hour working or sleeping.
I sighed. “I’m so sorry, guys. I didn’t realize,” I said. “Congratulations.”
Hwan smiled.
“And what is this about a kid I’m hearing?”
“Oh.” Hwan jumped. “Did you not know about that either? We’re going to be foster parents. We’re meeting our first foster kid tomorrow.”
“What? That’s amazing, guys. Congratulations. You’ll be fantastic parents,” I said, and both of them radiated so much joy, it was catching. I couldn’t help but smile either.
It was amazing seeing everyone around me moving on with their lives. It was nice to see that not everyone was stuck in a loop like me. It wasn’t as if I liked it either, but… I didn’t know how to get out of it. Maybe slowing down on work like Enzo and my parents had suggested was the first step. Maybe it was what I needed to finally feel something other than the pathetic sadness and loneliness that loved to creep up and keep me company whenever I wasn’t doing something. Whenever I stood still.
“Wild about Hwan and Parker, huh?” Enzo commented when we came back out and walked aimlessly along the waterfront, sipping on our bubble teas as Ella people-watched from her stroller.
“It is. But if anyone can handle it, it’s those two.”
“Oh, definitely,” Enzo agreed. “Should we stop by Mom’s for a bite?”
I shrugged and followed him away from the boardwalk, toward the busy Main Street. It looked even more vibrant and decorated than it had only a day or two ago if that was even possible. Christmas trees lined up along either side of the road, wrapped in off-white fairy lights that made everything look a hundred times more magical.
It was easy to forget the beauty of Mayberry, but times like these, the charm of my home island was unmissable. Even for a guy who could barely see past his nose.
We sat at Lilian’s café for half an hour and indulged in some Black Forest Friendship, which sounded a lot like something she’d made up on the spot rather than a real magical cake, but it tasted good so I didn’t care much about its “magical properties.” Simply being with my friend was enough to strengthen our friendship. I didn’t need any supernatural aids.
When we were done, I spent a few minutes wiping Ella’s face and hands as she’d decided to wear the chocolate off her plate as opposed to eating it. Once she was somewhat presentable, I put her back on her stroller and we walked out, with Lilian in tow.
“It’s so nice to see you boys hanging out! Like the good old days,” she said, glancing back and forth from me to Enzo.
