I take the plate of pineapple she gives me. “I always thought she was your competition.”
Mom laughs. “Nothing wrong with a little competition to keep you on your toes.” She checks the mirror complacently. “Plus, Missy’s had work done. I’m winning there. Look at this bone structure.”
“Mom!”
“I’m kidding, Lucy.” She brushes my hair with her hand. “You have no humor. Missy loved that joke. Then she asked me if I needed a ride in her new car.”
“So it was a draw?”
“Of course not. I won that round.” She takes some of the pineapple, then breathes it in. “I think I’ll make a scent with fruit for winter.”
“That would be good.”
We spend the rest of the night working on the pineapple scent, and it’s perfect. I don’t think about Rafe at all.
Except once, when I slide out of bed and find the vial of the tobacco and bergamot scent I brought for him as an apology.
I’ll put it in the mail tomorrow.
40
Hua Lijing
Lived through the Japanese invasion and worked with her grandmother to bring the family to Canada.
Heart note //Stop heartbreak
Base note //Chypre
This time when I get home, I’m not surprised to see Ana sitting out front of my apartment building in the fading evening sun, waiting for me.
“I brought snacks,” she says.
I grin at her and hold up a bag from the corner store. “I bought ice cream.”
We go up, chatting about nothing in particular, just enjoying the conversation. In the kitchen, Ana uncovers a monster of a cookie.
“I made one for my mother too,” she says. “She said it was better than she could make.”
“Really?”
“I nearly passed out. Maria had to pinch me, and she told Fernanda to shut up when Ferd said it would be better with nuts, like how she makes cookies.”
“Nuts are gross.”
“That’s what I said, and then she sulked until Mom told her to grow up.” Ana beams. “It was a great moment in my life. Tell me about your trip. All fixed?”
Since we kept in touch while I was gone, there isn’t much to update her on. I relay the latest discussion with my mother and then sit back.
She looks at me expectantly. “And?”
“And what? I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I think it will.”
Ana looks exasperated. “You talked to your brother and Kelsey. Your mom.”
“I did.”
“Aren’t you missing something? Someone.”
