“I would’ve done it for less,” Bennett says earnestly, a small grin playing across his lips.
His smile is contagious, and I can’t resist mirroring it. I bite down, blushing.
I look over the crowd to check on my client, who’s no longer with her group of friends. Bennett stands to greet an enthusiastic Harper, who’s spotted us. She waves excitedly and jogs the rest of the way to us.
“Hi, Olivia!” Harper says with a big smile, her lips painted blush pink.
“Harper, hi,” I say in my most professional tone. The optics of this must look bad. I form excuses in my head to say to her. But really, there’s no excuse for taking her date away. None that I could tell her anyway.
“I just needed some coaching,” Bennett says, covering for me. “She came by to make sure we were doing all right.”
“That’s so nice of you! Sorry, Bennett, I got caught up with some people I know from work,” she says, gesturing toward the food trucks. “One chef was having a bit of drama, and I had to report for friend duty. The food world is small.”
“Pea-sized,” Bennett says with emphasis.
I let out a laugh. Betrayed by my own heart.
“I thought you two were talking shop over here,” Harper asks conspiratorially.
“What? No, definitely not,” I say.
Harper rests her hand casually on her hip. “I thought you were kidding at first when you told me that this date was with the founder of ZodiaCupid. Who knew he was using Lunar Love! But he uses both like me. I guess why limit yourself?” she says. “How nice that the two of you get along so well.”
Bennett lifts up his eyebrows in agreement with her. “We’re all just trying to bring more love into the world. Isn’t that right, Olivia?”
“One compatible match at a time,” I say sweetly. “Don’t let me hold you up. Enjoy the dumplings and the unlimited beer, on Lunar Love.”
“In that case, round two in the beer garden?” Bennett asks, offering his arm to Harper. She links her arm in his and smiles. I gulp down my envy as their bodies move together as one.
“Bye, Olivia!” Harper says giddily.
“Enjoy your date! Love is in the air!” I shout awkwardly, attracting stares from children challenging each other to stuff entire dumplings into their mouths.
Bennett glances over his shoulder, making eye contact with me one last time before entering the beer garden. Rat and Dragon are on the move.
Chapter 11
My sister, Nina, was right when she predicted my future. I balance stacked dishes in my arms and distractedly set plates around the outdoor dining table. Against the olive tree in my parents’ yard, teal balloons are tied together to create the shape of a crescent blue moon. Opaque white and silver glass candle votives are scattered on the tables and deck railings. Mom wrangles with the streamers while Nina finishes lighting the candles.
“What’s with Dad’s apron?” Nina asks. We all turn our heads toward Dad, who’s rocking aScottish and Proudtartan apron at the grill.
“Don’t get me started,” Mom says with a laugh. “He’s been going down the rabbit hole of his ancestry.”
Pó Po brings over a box of silver mesh bags. “This is looking lovely,” she says, looking around the backyard. “Olivia, will you please help me bag up some cookies?”
I haven’t been alone with Pó Po in over a week. This will be my opportunity to talk to her about Bennett. And her alleged incompatible match. I pull out a chair for Pó Po to sit in at the table, and she shows me how she wants the cookies packaged.
“So this is basically the wedding shower, right?” I ask, dodging what I really need to say.
Pó Po looks up from the stack of cookies and smiles. “It’s kind of like that. The tradition is that the groom’s family sends pastries and cookies to the bride’s family. Marriage is about the bonding of the couple, but also of our families and ancestors.”
“I like that,” I say. “I had never heard of it before.”
Pó Po takes a moment to restack some of the misplaced pastries. “It’s not easy to keep traditions alive when you’re far from family. But over time, traditions, and the way they’re celebrated, are adapted. Isn’t it great knowing about it and enjoying it in our own way?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Aren’t traditions traditions because they stay the same?”
“Liv, life is not all or nothing, and traditions are better alive in one form or another than nonexistent.”
