“I know you, Lucy. I trust you would never do that.”
I look at him, and I believe him.
“Okay,” I say.
He grins at me. “Doubt I could afford it anyway.”
“I’d give you the friends-and-family discount.”
“Thanks, but I’d prefer to use it on one from your mom. I need the occasional mood boost. Yours, though? Not necessary. I’ve got it covered.”
He waves at me and heads down the hall, as I stand in front of the door, puzzling over what he means. My moli isn’t necessary? Why not?
It’s not until I’m in bed that I realize what he might have meant, and I fall asleep with a big smile on my face.
26
Hua Shihong
Ming dynasty. As a child, witnessed the inauspicious comet, which haunted her dreams for the rest of her life.
Heart note //End weepiness
Base note //Lotus
Mom doesn’t come with me to work the next day but waves me off at the door the way she used to when I left for school, saying she would keep herself busy. Time passes slowly at the store, where Ana works on her jewelry in between not-so-casual spontaneous mentions of Jayne, and I try to focus on my commissions instead of wallowing in what happened last night. When I come home, Rafe is outside my door.
“Hi, Lucy,” he says, taking a couple of steps in my direction.
“Were you waiting for me?” I ask, a little confused.
“Your mom asked me to drop by.” He takes another step. “Hey, I was thinking—”
The door opens behind me. “Luling?”
We turn to see my mother. What a party. “Rafe, you’re still here,” she says. “Will you join us for dinner?”
“Thanks, Ms. Hua, but I’m meeting someone.”
“Are you sure? Luling is here now.”
He glances at me. “I’d love a rain check.”
“Next time, then.” She goes back in, and I follow after giving Rafe a quick nod.
“What was that about?” I ask.
“Rafe looks skinny. He should get a good meal.”
“No, why was he here in the first place?” I ask.
“I wanted to talk to him.”
“About what?”
She gives me a look over her reading glasses. “Over things that are not your business at the moment. Go wash your hands.”
“Like what? The shop?”
