Jake asked Marley about her classes. He listened closely and watched as Marley relayed the latest biology assignment. She was upset they were planning on dissecting animals in class soon and had complained to her teacher a few times. Unfortunately, there was no opting out of the class, though she was welcome to observe. The answer did not satisfy Marley, who lamented about how wrong it was to use animals as test subjects for a bunch of uninterested high schoolers. Jake nodded in agreement. She wasn’t wrong.
They reached The Lotus in record time. The familiar bellchimed as they entered, the aroma of Vietnamese food wrapping around them. It reminded Jake of happier times—before that fateful summer.
He gave Minnie a nod where she stood behind the register. Marley led the way as they headed for their usual booth in the back corner, away from the other diners and closest to the kitchen. When he arrived at the booth, a grinning two-year-old double-fisting crayons already occupied it. It looked like some crayons were also being used as a snack, judging by the ring of purple around her mouth. Jake couldn’t help but smile at Tuy?t Mai’s bright brown eyes as she chortled excitedly.
“Hey, Princess Snow White, whatcha got there?” he said, gently pinching her cheeks and gesturing at the crayons. She’d clearly been coloring the paper placemat, but also her mouth. Jake wasn’t sure if crayons were toxic, but he doubted Minh wasn’t aware her child liked to chomp on colored wax.
Tuy?t Mai squealed and bounced in her seat. Her chubby hands flailed excitedly as she greeted Jake. His heart squeezed at the pure joy on her face. Jake had just moved to grab her out of her high chair when she looked past him and shrieked, “Auntie! Auntie!”
Jake froze.
“Hey, cutie. Did you miss me? I was only gone for a second.”
His body stiffened. That voice. It had been years, but he’d recognize it anywhere. His breath caught. The hair on his neck stood on end. He didn’t dare move. Was he hallucinating?
“Auntie! Auntie!” Tuy?t Mai clapped excitedly, her crayons forgotten as she attempted to climb out of her seat.
Jake turned his head slowly. A petite figure entered his peripheral vision as if stepping out from his dreams. His heart pounded loudly as he held his breath in disbelief. Surely, it couldn’t be her. There was no way it could be Gia.
It wasn’t until she stood directly beside him that he finally exhaled slowly, as if afraid she’d vanish like smoke if he breathed too hard in her direction. His eyes scanned her from the top ofher head to her feet, hungrily taking in her sharp jawline, perfectly pink pouty lips, and button nose. She had on an oversized sweater, her petite frame drowning in the stylish garment. Despite it covering nearly every inch of skin, he still remembered how she looked beneath the layers.
Finally, when he was sure she wouldn’t vanish, he brought his gaze back up. When their eyes collided, shock hit him like a truck.
Recognition dawned in her brown eyes. Jake watched as emotions flitted through her gaze. Shock morphing into horror, then settling on raw hatred. He probably deserved it.
If he hadn’t been sitting, he might have fallen.
Gia.
She’s really here.
His brain scrambled, offering no coherent thoughts except one.
Why is she here?
“You?” she hissed, her tone venomous enough to kill.
Jake’s mouth opened, but no words came. What could he say to the girl whose heart he’d shattered?
Nothing. Nothing would undo the pain.
He’d dreamed of this moment for years. Dreamed of the chance to make amends and earn her forgiveness. Maybe now the universe was giving him a shot.
Clearing his throat, he angled his body to hers, heart sinking when she flinched away like he carried a deadly disease.
“Hi, Gia.” He cringed at his own lameness.
Gia only glared. He watched with fascination as her jaw tightened. If looks could kill, he’d probably be dead three times over by now. She didn’t bother responding to his greeting. A part of him withered at her animosity. He’d hoped time would have at least dulled the hurt he caused, but it seemed the only thing it did was amplify her hatred for him.
“Auntie, how do you know Uncle Jake?” Th?y Mai asked, her innocent eyes looking from one adult to the other.
Jake’s gaze shifted to another dark-eyed girl standing besideGia. He hadn’t even noticed Th?y Mai had also arrived. He gave her a small smile in greeting.
“Your auntie and I were friends when we were kids,” he said to the precocious eight-year-old when it became apparent Gia had no intention of answering.
Gia scoffed loudly, her expression screaming disbelief. Th?y Mai slid into the booth beside Marley. The two of them were already forming a bond despite the age gap. Jake appreciated how welcoming the Lien family had been to Marley when he started bringing her around.
“Ladies first.” Jake gestured for Gia to have a seat.
