“Don’t let antiquated ideas limit your options, Ailee,” Catalina says. “The family will be honored to bring you into the fold properly.”
The skin around my eyes grows hot. I blink away any moisture to ensure I don’t cry or act too flustered.Myneeds.Mypreferences. They’re actually being valued and respected. I realize I’ve spent much too much energy on suppressing my own desires.
Thankfully, the arrival of dessert stops the flow of the conversation and gives me a little breathing room to gather my shaky emotions. I pour myself more plum wine. This is my second bottle, but they’re so tiny, just like the amazing food Akiko has served so far. I’m still hungry, but it’s probably because I haven’t eaten much today.
The dessert is a miniature—a soft matcha mochi ball stuffed with vanilla ice cream. I bite into it and press my lips together. The ice cream is so buttery and sweet, balancing out the intense matcha flavor.
“This is amazing. I think it’s better than the one you made last Christmas,” Prescott says. He devours his in two bites.
Akiko brightens. “You think so? I used a heavier cream and a small bit of raw apple honey from Aomori.”
He nods, smacking his lips and gazing at his bowl sorrowfully.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a dinner this delicious. Thank you,” I say.
“Oh, it’s my pleasure—”
My stomach, oblivious to social niceties, chooses that moment to let out a loud growl. I slap my hands over it—like that will help. If I could, I’d crawl under the table and never come out.
Jeremiah covers her mouth, but a giggle escapes anyway. Josh gives me a look that says,I told you to have the tacos. I close my eyes for a moment. He’s right, of course.
Akiko gasps. “Oh my goodness! Are you still hungry?”
“I’m so sorry. I haven’t eaten much today. I was really nervous about meeting everyone, and I—” I quit talking.Don’t ramble.
“You should’ve said something. I always have extra portions in the kitchen if anybody wants more.”
Josh, Ares and Bryce’s heads jerk in Akiko’s direction. Jeremiah’s mouth hangs open. The spoon in Catalina’s hand falls to the table with a clatter. Prescott stares at his wife like she just told him she found herself a younger man with a bigger penis.
“You liked the stuffed beef, right?” Akiko asks, ignoring the reactions.
I nod. It was my favorite, and I’m surprised she noticed.
She smiles. “Give me a second.” She disappears, then soon returns with a plate set with four pieces this time.
“You never told us there wasmore,” Josh manages, his voice hoarse.
Akiko purses her lips and shrugs. “Nobody ever asked.”
“So if I’d wanted more, I just needed to…?” Hopefully Prescott isn’t having a stroke. He doesn’t look very good.
“Well, of course! I always make sure everyone has plenty to drink, don’t I?”
Bryce covers his face with a hand. “Oh God.”
“What?” Akiko says.
“I can’t wait to tell Fiona our child will have enough food to fill its belly when we visit,” he mutters, which only seems to confuse Akiko more.
“I think we’re all having regrets about being too circumspect to spare your feelings.” Jeremiah knocks back her red wine like it’s whiskey. She probably wishes itwaswhiskey.
“Thanks to Ailee joining the family, we all learned something valuable today,” Catalina announces. “If you want something, you should just ask.”
Akiko nods, a smile blooming on her bright face. “Very true. The answer will more often than not be a yes.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Josh
