Page 23
“Time hasn’t changed you where men are concerned, Yeong. First Min Jun and now this white boy. I am your best friend. We’ve known each other forever. I’m surprised you didn’t like me.”
His question throws me, and my mind spins into a tilt-a-whirl of confusion. “What are you saying?”
He glances at me for a moment. “Did you ever have feelings for me—more than just friendship, Yeong?”
“No. You’re my best friend, and I love you as a best friend,” I confess openly, looking into his eyes so he can see my truth.
It doesn’t seem that it’s his truth, though, because hurt radiates from his eyes before he turns his attention back to the road. “Good. I just asked because I never had feelings for you like that.”
“O-kay.” Now I’m even more confused. At first, from the way Eun looked, I thought he did have feelings for me. Though I’m actually relieved to know he doesn’t. I never want to ruin our friendship over love.
“Now, what are you going to do with this Rafe?” Eun says Rafe’s name like it’s spoiled food he just bit into.
“Nothing. After last night, he’s probably on a plane, heading back to the States.” My heart suddenly lurches in my chest at the notion that Rafe isn’t in the same country with me anymore. But I decide that’s ridiculous and quickly shake it off.
“Good. I don’t want him to cause you any trouble. Especially if your father comes around. That’s the last thing you need.”
Eun is right. If my father ever finds out that I have a… whatever you’d call Rafe, who knows what my father might do to create trouble for him. “Well, that won’t happen.”
After stopping at a local grocery store for some food, we head back to my grandmother’s farm as the light drizzle shifts into a heavy rainfall.
When we pull onto the dirt driveway that leads up to the house, there is a black sedan parked next to the storage shed.
“Crap. My father’s here,” I rumble out with irritation. He’s the last person I want to see today. My head isn’t in the mood for mind games with that man.
“Want me to come in to smooth out the friction?” Eun asks as he glances at the house.
“No. The sooner I get in there, the quicker my father can bitch at me and then leave,” I say with a sigh. I grab the bags in the back seat and wave Eun off.
I suck in another calming breath and let it out while I’m being drenched. “Calm,” I utter to myself as I open the front door, and come to a halt.
The person sitting at my grandmother’s table is not who I expected to see.
“Rafe? What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss at him as rainwater drips from my bangs onto my face.
“I’m having lunch with your grandmother. What are you doing here?” Rafe asks, a wide grin on his smug face. I want to slap it off.
“I live here,” I say with indignation, and turn to Fig. “Was this your idea?”
Halmeoni walks into the room, each hand holding a bowl of food. “Good, you are home. Go dry off and change your clothes. We have guests.”
I take the bowls from her and place them on the table before gently taking her hand and leading her back into the kitchen, where I ask, “When did they get here?”
“An hour ago. Why?”
“They aren’t supposed to be here. I’m going to kick them out.”
“No, Yeong.” She tightens her grip on my hand. “That’s rude. Besides, you have to see all the gifts your boyfriend brought me.”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Halmeoni. And what you do mean by ‘gifts?’”
She points to the kitchen table laden with boxes. “They also brought me several pounds of pork, beef, and chicken meat, vegetables like napa cabbage, bean sprouts and mushrooms—all kinds of things.”
“Why?” I ask, furrowing my brows. None of this makes sense. Is Rafe trying to win my grandmother’s favor to get to me? If so, he’s wasting his time. I can’t be bought.
“Because your boyfriend wants to make sure you are eating good,” she says with so much earnestness that I don’t want to break the bubble of happiness she is floating in. “I have to finish the kimchi jjigae. But go dry off. You are getting my clean floors all wet.” She shoos me away.
“Please don’t feed them,” I implore.
