If she didn’t know better, she’d think Minh was trying to fatten her up. Or maybe it was a ploy to remind Gia of home so she never left Willowbrook again. The thought of sticking around didn’t terrify her like it once had.
Wouldn’t her life be so much easier here, far away from the toxic sludge LA had turned out to be, taking chunks of her sanity each day? But what would she even do here?
The thought of a meaningless existence in Willowbrook filled her with dread. She was terrified of wasting away in Willowbrook with nothing to do.
Who was she if she wasn’t Gia, the supermodel and actress?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Shaken out of her reverie, Gia met Minh’s worried gaze as her sister wiped her hands on the towel. At some point, Gia sat down at the table, but her food remained untouched in front of her. She was glancing around for utensils, realizing she hadn’t even grabbed any, when Minh handed her a pair of chopsticks. “Here.”
“Thanks.” After taking the proffered utensils, Gia stirred thecontents of her bowl. “I was just thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve had this.” She gestured at her bowl with the chopsticks.
“Hmm.” Minh’s disbelieving tone matched her facial expression, but she moved away from the counter and grabbed a bowl to serve herself. Plopping down in the chair across from Gia, Minh let out a weary sigh. Not for the first time, Gia noticed the lines of strain at the corners of her big sister’s eyes and wondered what had put them there.
Gia put her chopsticks next to her bowl gently and cleared her throat. “Are you—are you okay?”
Minh’s shoulders shook with a self-deprecating laugh.
“I’m just glad you’re finally home,” Minh said before picking up her chopsticks to eat. As the silence stretched between them, Gia couldn’t help but wonder how well she actually knew her older sister.
Sure, they grew up under the same roof, but she and Thao were naturally closer. It always felt like them versus Minh growing up. She had been the perfect role model for them, while Gia and Thao couldn’t take anything seriously. Minh was studious and earned the highest grades with the goal of being a doctor or a lawyer, as every Asian parent dreams for their children. But Gia could not recall a single time when Minh had actually talked about her hopes or dreams. Had she wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer? Or did she always want to stay behind and help with the family restaurant… or did she have other aspirations? No doubt, when Gia and Thao left, it had caused a ripple effect of repercussions she was ignorant of.
“So… Um… How are you doing?” Gia shoved a large piece of chicken into her mouth so she had something to focus on. Why was this so awkward for her? Shouldn’t she know how to talk to her own sister?
“I’m fine. Really.” Minh scooped out her own piece of chicken and chewed thoughtfully.
Sensing Minh had more to say, Gia let the silence hang between them.
“I miss Ken. I wish he were still here. The kids miss him, too.” Gia watched in horror as tears filled her big sister’s eyes. In all her life, she had never once seen Minh cry.
Tossing the bowl and chopsticks down, Gia leaped out of her chair without a second thought and rushed to Minh’s side, pulling her in for a big hug. It nearly broke her heart to hear Minh’s quiet sobbing as she burrowed into Gia’s oversized shirt.
Ken was Minh’s husband. They’d met through mutual family friends when they were teenagers. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but they grew into a flirtatious friendship that lasted a few months before Ken declared Minh was his girlfriend.
Gia had been a freshman when they started dating. The summer after Minh and Ken’s graduation, the two got married in a small ceremony at The Lotus. Gia was the maid of honor, and Thao was the best man. It had been one of Gia’s favorite memories at the restaurant.
Ken and Minh ended up going to BU together before returning to Willowbrook, where they moved in with Gia’s parents for the summer. Minh planned on working at The Lotus for the summer while applying to med school. Ken was applying to law school and also helped at the restaurant.
That summer changed all of their lives.
Eight
JAKE
Aplan.
He needed a plan.
One that would at least buy him a few days to win Gia back. He knew it would probably take the rest of his life to earn her forgiveness. It was an impossible task.
Worry twisted his gut at the thought of what Gia was going through—she had been attacked, for fuck’s sake! Seeing the haunted look in her eyes had made his need to protect her surge to the forefront. He wanted to be there for her as much as he wanted to hunt down whoever had hurt her.
The odds were against him, but he couldn’t lose Gia a second time. He would never forgive himself if she walked away without knowing how much she meant to him.
Try as he might, he couldn’t come up with anything Gia couldn’t refuse. He needed something legitimate, so Gia had to interact with him so he could work his magic.
But what?
