by Camy Tang
“Well, I do have one other lead.”
“What?”
“You won’t like it.”
“Why?”
“The family from Grandma’s rental house is moving out this month.”
When pigs fly. “Get me Oliver’s number.”
THIRTY-FIVE
Lex stared up at the endless line of stairs. “Your sister’s on the fourth floor?”
“Yeah.”
“And there’s no elevator?”
“No elevator.”
“Oliver.” Lex turned to him. “My knee’s getting better, but I still can’t go up stairs without a lot of pain.” He winced, flashing bright white teeth against his darkened skin.
“It won’t be well enough by the time you move out?”
“I don’t know. I’m working hard on my physical therapy.” Liar.
You’ve canceled the last few sessions, you coward.
“How’s that going?” He led her back to his Mercedes convertible.
“Fine. I’m healing slowly, though.”
“Yeah, that’s always the way it is. In college, I tore my meniscus, and it took me six months before I could play beach volleyball again.”
“You play beach volleyball?” Oliver did have a rather fine physique.
“Not anymore.” He gave a rueful smile. “My knees couldn’t take it, so I retired.”
“That must be awful.” Lex would have had to be in a wheelchair before she stopped playing. And even then, she might still play and run people over.
Oliver shrugged. “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. You play, right?”
“Coed on Mondays and Fridays, women’s SCVA on Wednesdays. And I coach a junior high girls’ team.”
“Oh, really? That must be fun. How are they doing?”
“Uh . . . they’re doing well, but I might lose funding after May.” In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if Grandma cut funding as of Wednesday night.
“Really?” Oliver paused as he opened the passenger side door for her. “How much?”
Lex’s entire body turned into a buzzing beehive where she stood. She told him the amount they’d need until September. “It’s a lot because we’re traveling for playoffs this summer.”
His Egyptian-shaped eyes narrowed in thought. “I might be able to swing that.”
“Are you serious?”
“Well, no promises. I still need to think about it and do a few calculations, but I’ve been considering something like this for a while.
No offense, but it would be good for my business.”
“Oh, of course. I understand that.”
“And my pastor always says to give back to the community the way Jesus did.”
“What church do you go to?” Lex couldn’t believe this. Oliver became more perfect with every word he said.
“Green Pastures Church.”
“I go to Santa Clara Asian Church.” Read: We could be equally yoked, hot-stuff.
“That’s really great.” Confidence made his gaze clear as he faced her. “Actually, I wondered if you’d like to go out to dinner with me tonight.”
“Me? Tonight?” This handsome, swarthy guy actually wanted to spend more time with her?
“If you’re free.”
“Sure.” She’d have to be dead not to want to spend more time in his luxurious car.
Oh, and his company was pleasant too.
“I had a great time, Lex.” Oliver leaned against the doorframe to her apartment, easing closer to her.
“I did too.” It was true. He reminded her of Aiden — calm, controlled. He didn’t tease her like Aiden did, but then again, she’d only been with the guy for a few hours.
“I hope we can do this again.” His voice had gone low and husky.
“I’d like that.”
Oliver’s exotic eyes dropped to her mouth. That must be some unspoken guy signal telling the girl, I’m going in!
She didn’t mind, right? He’d been easy to talk to, nothing creepy about him. He had all his teeth, he didn’t smell, he talked to her face and not her shoes.
He touched her cheek in a gesture right out of something like You’ve Got Mail or some other sappy chick flick. Lex flexed her jaw but didn’t flinch. Hey, she did pretty good.
He came in slowly. Lex would have preferred he just get it over with.
No, she needed to rearrange her attitude. She had to beat this fear. It wouldn’t impact her life anymore. She would kiss Oliver and she’d like it!
She also had to think of her girls. Oliver would be a great boyfriend who might sponsor her team.
His kiss started off very soft, sweet as honey. That’s not too bad, I’m doing okay.
Then he started breathing heavier, kissing her harder. Moving in until she leaned against the door. Lex felt suffocated. She pulled away.
His eyes were cloudy, blacker than black. Then he blinked, and they grew rueful. “Sorry. You’re so beautiful, and I had such a good time.”
She supposed that was a compliment. “Thanks for a great dinner.” He’d even paid for it. “I’ll, um . . . I’ll call you.” Yeah, now she sounded eager for his company.
Lex let herself into her apartment, squeezed in by all the half-unpacked boxes that would need to be re-packed soon.
Funny, that’s what her life seemed like.
Lex flipped open her cell phone. “Hey Richard.”
“So how’d it go?”
“How’d what go?” The refrigerator stopped humming for a few seconds. Lex smacked it hard, and it started up again.
“Your dinner with Oliver.”
“How’d you know about that?”
“I asked him.”
“You asked him? Since when are you so interested in my love life?”
“Uh . . . just curious.”
Lex planted her hand on her hip and stared at the fridge, imagining Richard’s oh-so-innocent face. “You’re never curious.”
“Never mind. I’ll talk to you later.” Click.
Lex dialed.
“Hello?”
“It’s Lex. I need a ride.”
“Now?”
“Are you free?”
Venus sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I’ll be there in thirty.”
“Good, he’s got someone over at his apartment.” Lex tapped the glass toward a candy-apple-red Mitsubishi in one of her brother’s two alotted parking spaces.
“Can you not leave fingerprints on my window?” Venus swung the car into a visitor’s stall.
They got out and Lex took the stairs to Richard’s apartment slowly, step by step. Now her good knee started aching from all the use going up and down stairs. Just great.
Venus rang the doorbell. “This better be worth pulling me out of a relatively light day at work.”
“You’re working on a Saturday?”
“Hello — it’s a start-up. I work every Saturday.”
“But today’s a light day?”
“On light days, I can close the office door and sleep at my desk.”
The door swung open to a tall Asian girl, skinny enough to be a model. “What you want?”
“Mei-Ling?” Lex couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing here?”
Months after Richard broke up with her, Psycho-Chick herself was there in the flesh.
“You brother ask me ovah.” Heavily made-up eyes slanted over her shoulder toward the living room. “I more important now. You come back later.”
Lex slammed her hand into the closing door. “I’m his sister. Try and stop me.” She and Venus could take her, psychotic or not.
“If it’s Lex, I’m not here.” Richard’s voice boomed loud enough for his neighbors to hear him.
Venus closed her eyes and shook her head. “Are you sure you guys are related?”
“See? He no want talk to you!” Mei-Ling’s voice had risen to a falcon screech. Manicured talons fingered the plunging neckline of her straight-from-Hong-Kong fashion blouse. “You go!”
One of
Richard’s neighbors peeked her head out the door at Mei-Ling’s raised voice.
Lex leaned in close. “If you don’t let me in, I’m going to key your red convertible.”
Mei-Ling gasped, her siren-red lips as wide as a rice bowl. “My baby!”
Venus pulled out her car keys and jingled them.
Mei-Ling flung open the door.
“Greetings, earthling.” Lex stalked into Richard’s living room and kicked his feet off the coffee table. “We do not come in peace.”
“Wha — ? Oh, great.”
Lex turned to Venus. “See? He knows he’s in trouble.”
“I’m not in trouble.” Richard sunk lower in the couch cushions.
“Then this should be an easy question for you. What’s up with the man-parade? Were they really your friends?”
Mei-Ling’s eyes popped open. “Reeechahd! Is there something you no telling me?”
“Lex, you idiot. Yes, they were my friends.”
“So what was the name of the guy at the Children’s Day dinner?”
Richard blinked exactly three times. “Uh . . . Marshall?”
Well, Lex hadn’t caught his name either. “How about Uncle’s birthday party?”
This time, Richard blinked seven times. “Carl?”
“Bzzzzt. Some friend you are.”
“I, uh, can’t remember who I brought.”
“So, why were you so interested in my date with Oliver?”
“I wasn’t. Don’t flatter yourself.” Richard grabbed the remote control and turned the TV volume up.
Lex snatched it and turned the TV off. “Hey, Mei-Ling. Did I ever tell you about when Richard was six and I was five?”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Richard flapped his arms around as if he had a magic wand to stop up Mei-Ling’s ears and sew shut Lex’s mouth.
Ha! He wished.
Richard’s glare at Lex fizzled in a splash of fear. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you outside.”
“No way! You’ll just lock the door behind me.”
Venus looked up from studying her nails. “In that case, you can shout it loud enough for the neighbors to hear you.”
Richard paled under his golf tan.
Lex sat on the arm of the couch, her leg dangling. “Talk.”
“Grandma offered to buy me a new car if I found you a boyfriend.”
“What? ” all three women screeched at once.
“Grandma bribed you?” Lex hopped off the couch. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Richard, your sense of self-preservation never ceases to amaze.”
Venus sneered at him.
“You Acura only three years old.” Mei-Ling pinched her lips and crossed her arms. “And you no get back together with me?” As if it were a national crime to not drive her around in prime wheels.
Richard’s eyes wandered sideways, but he didn’t look any of them full in the face.
Lex moved to stand in front of him. “How well do you know Oliver?”
“Uh . . . not well.”
“So, you could have set me up with an ax-murderer? I love you too, bro.”
“Hey, he wasn’t as dweeby as the guy at Uncle’s house.” Richard pouted.
“Richard, you are such a bum.” Venus moved to the door. “Let’s go, Lex. Leave him to Mei-Ling’s care.”
Mei-Ling smiled and cracked her knuckles.
“Aw, come on, Lex. I only wanted to help.” Richard’s desperate eyes beseeched her while casting a wary glance at Mei-Ling’s stormy face.
“Help me into a bad date? I’m really feelin’ the love.”
“You were kinda hinting you were looking for a guy. And Grandma wants you to date too. What was the harm in trying to set you up?”
He gave a desperate smile.
Lex’s glare burned the smile off his face. “You could have chosen nice guys, Richard.”
“I did. Aiden? Oliver? You had a good time, right?”
Lex followed Venus out the door. Well, she did owe him one.
“Yes, Richard.” She grabbed the door handle. “Despite you, I did like Oliver.” She slammed the door shut.
THIRTY-SIX
If she ever got married, she was eloping.
Lex staggered into the Pagoda Bridge Restaurant behind Mariko’s giggling bridesmaids. Four hours on her feet, standing next to Squawking Tiki — thank goodness Mariko stuck Lex on the end of the line — was as joyful an experience as getting her tooth drawn. Without Novocain.
At least the actual wedding will only take an hour. With the rehearsal finally behind her, she could find Oliver, sit down for the first time in four hours, and enjoy a very expensive rehearsal dinner meal paid for by Grandma.
One more week, and this torturous stint as bridesmaid would be done. If only the wedding were tomorrow instead of next week Saturday. Mariko had insisted on Pagoda Bridge for her rehearsal dinner, and it hadn’t been available the Friday before the wedding.
Venus found her first. “You’re not going to like this.”
“What — Mariko sat me with Uncle Fitz and I have to feed him?”
“Worse. You’re with Trish and Jenn, and I’m at a different table.”
Lex closed her eyes as a headache exploded behind her eyeballs.
“Maybe I’ll grab Oliver and we’ll leave early.”
“Too late, he started eating. It gets worse.”
“How can it possibly get worse?”
“Mimi’s here — ”
“Hey, I get along with Mimi now. Sort of.”
“She brought Aiden as her date.”
Ugh. It had gotten much, much worse. Suddenly Trish and Jenn didn’t seem so bad. “Has Aiden met — ”
Venus nodded. “Too late. They’re at the same table.”
That’s just great. Lex couldn’t even enjoy her food because she’d be trying to enjoy her time with one guy when she’d rather be with the other, whom she’d avoided for a week, who wasn’t an option because he wasn’t Christian, even though she’d dreamed about kissing him every night for the past five days.
Lex hated round tables. Her seat was squished between Oliver, digging into his eggrolls with gusto, and Aiden, chatting amiably with Mimi, the little tart.
Lex sat, smiling at Oliver and refusing to even glance at Aiden or Mimi. Luckily, Trish and Jenn — both dateless — also seemed to be avoiding her eyes.
“Hey, Lex.” Oliver passed her an eggroll. “And try the pot stickers — they taste just like my grandma’s.”
Grandma then strolled past their table, the grande dame, overseeing her grande feast. First, she bestowed warm smiles on the uncle and aunty who filled out the eight-person table. Then she gave gracious smiles to Jenn and Trish, who returned with weak grimaces. Grandma gave a strained smile to Mimi, probably because of Mimi’s fire-engine-red, skintight blouse, which plunged into her cleavage.
Grandma’s brow wrinkled as she gave Aiden a polite nod. She skipped over Lex — no surprise there — and eyed Oliver with curiosity. Then she moved on.
Lex released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
She wondered if Grandma would pull funding just to spite her, despite Oliver’s presence. If they started dating seriously, he’d help her with funding if Grandma pulled out, right? And he wasn’t exactly difficult to like.
On a separate table, the waiters laid out dessert — little squares of heavily iced cake. When Mimi hopped up to get a plate, Lex followed her.
“Hey. I didn’t know you knew Aiden.” Had Lex’s voice come across as plaintive? Jealous? Snipey?
Apparently. Mimi gave Lex an arch glance before she scanned the cake slices. “Don’t you remember? I met him when I came to your apartment right after the surgery.”
Oh, when Lex was miserable and on her back? Her memory was a little fuzzy. Or maybe her mind tried to block out the memories of that time.
Mimi stuck her finger into the icing on a piece and l
icked it.
“Yeah, he and I have been emailing.” She picked up a different piece of cake. “Don’t you think he’s cute?” She flounced away.
Cute? What would be cute would be that cake plastered all over her snide little face. Cute.
Aiden wasn’t cute. He was a lying, weaselly, sneaky, overbearing, rat fink cockroach. Whom she’d been dreaming about kissing.
“Lex.” Trish crept up from behind her. She tucked a lank strand of hair behind her ear. As she scanned the pieces of cake, the restaurant’s lighting made the bags under her eyes look larger than used Liptons.
She blinked rapidly and cast nervous glances at Lex.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” Lex didn’t dull the edge of her tone.
“We broke up.” The noise from the party almost drowned Trish’s voice.
“That’s too bad.” She tried — she really did — to keep the sarcasm from her tone, but she failed miserably.
Trish went on the defensive. “You’re all superior now because you have a man and I don’t. Well, I’m fine being single, while you were desperate trying to find someone who didn’t think you were too weird to hang out with.”
Lex flared her nostrils. “I searched for a guy who would respect me rather than telling me when to go to church, when to spend time with my friends — ”
Trish gave a sob and ran out of the reception room, flinging open the women’s restroom door. At the table, Jenn saw her flee and gave Lex a reproachful look. She got up to follow Trish.
Lex had to get out of here. She turned in the opposite direction and saw the glass doors leading out to the Japanese garden in back of the restaurant.
The night air cooled her skin but not her temper. She marched down the path toward the bridge that spanned the koi pond, swatting at fern fronds in her way.
A chill emanated from the stone bridge. Lex shivered but climbed the arch to stand in the middle.
“Lex.”
At first she thought it was Aiden. No, Oliver. “I saw you fight with that girl and then head out here. I thought you might like company.”
Not really, but he’d been very sensitive to notice. Why couldn’t Lex appreciate him more? Why couldn’t she feel more for him?
Oliver came to stand close. His hand brushed her arm. “You’re cold.” He removed his sports jacket and set it over her shoulders.
