Page 32 of Okay, Cupid

“You ready to get to work?” Cal asks, wiping his greasy hands on his pants.

“Sure, but I’m finding you a bathroom first.”

“Yes, Mom.” Cal groans, following me toward the empty intersection where the two parts of the farmers’ market meet. A row of porta potties and freestanding portable sinks waits for anyone to use. “I’m gonna pee, actually.”

“Okay, I’ll be here.” I stand among the crowd, looking around as Cal disappears inside.

My eye settles on the nearest donut stall. It’s pink, very small, and easy to miss. Huy is hanging his head out the window, looking down at people as they give their order, pointing to the display case built into the side of the trailer that shows off all the flavors. He’s dressed in short sleeves despite the cool air, showing off his broad shoulders. An apron that matches the pink of the trailer is wrapped around his neck and tied against his waist. The real kicker is realizing that he’s wearing a hair band that pulls his hair free of his face, giving it this almost wildly windblown look.

I leave the porta potties, knowing that Cal will be able to find me easily as I make my way to the end of the donut line. Huy moves quickly, heating the preprepared donuts with ease and handing them back to customers in paper wrappers. The line moves, and the closer I get to the front, the tighter my stomach feels. I’m not sure why I’m nervous. I suppose this is the first time I’m hanging out with Huy outside school. Without the context of being classmates, will things be the same?

What am I saying? He invited me out here.

Eventually, I make it to the front of the line, watching the trailer as Huy ducks down to grab something. I don’t even think he’s noticed that I’m here yet.

“Welcome to Trinh’s Donuts, what can I get started—” He pauses when he finally looks my way.

“Hi there, I believe I was promised free donuts by one of your employees.”

He leans down with his arms crossed on the counter. “Now who would do that?”

“I’m not sure what his name was. Tall, sort of curly hair. Though he wasn’t wearing a pink apron.”

“I’ll have to launch an investigation,” he tells me. “We typically have a staunch ‘no free donuts’ policy.”

“Like I said, I was guaranteed free donuts. So what do you plan to do about it?”

“Well, I suppose I can honor that promise just once.” Huy’s smile is wide. “But we’d better not make this a regular thing.”

“No, I’m sure they wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Now … what flavor might be drawing your eye?”

I step back, taking a look at the display case. There are ten flavors, ranging from taro to strawberry to Fruity Pebbles to pandan. “Well, these all look fantastic, but I believe I was promised chocolate.”

I watch his shoulders slump. “Bad news. That was today’s most popular flavor.”

“All gone?”

He nods.

“Hmm … I’m not sure how to take that since I was promised chocolate by this employee. But I suppose I’ll settle for a …” I take another look at the flavors. “Blueberry?”

“You’re in luck.” Huy dips down for a moment, grabbing tongs. “Warmed?”

“Naturally.” I nod.

“So!” Huy turns, slipping the donut into the small oven that sits behind him. No wonder he’s in short sleeves; I can feel the heat radiating from the trailer from here. “How are you enjoying the Sunset Market’s fine items and freshly grown produce?”

“It’s nice, I’ve never been down here before.”

“Seriously?”

“Nope.” I shake my head. Maybe it’s weird to have lived here my entire life and never gone to certain areas or neighborhoods. But it’s just never happened; I’ve never had a reason to come down to the Sunset. “Never been across the Golden Gate Bridge either.”

“Okay, I definitely don’t believe it.”

I shake my head. “Promise. I’ve seen it when I go down to Baker Beach. But I’ve never been across it.”