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He rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you for making me feel comfortable enough to be my true self around you. I wish I would have known you in middle school. If you would have been my friend back then, I wouldn’t have felt so alone and I’d be confident to be myself. Thank you for being here for me now.”
I shut my eyes. “Thank you for being here for me, too. For helping me with my app and believing in it. And in me.”
“Of course,” he whispers.
I pull back. “Are you in a good place now?”
He hesitates. “Honestly, I want to be my true self, but I’m just so worried what would happen if the kids found out. I don’t want a repeat of middle school.”
I take his hand. “You have me and my friends. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
“Thank you.”
We’re both quiet.
He gives me a small smile. “All that spilling out my feelings has left me starving.”
“What’s for dinner?”
He shrugs. “Probably a frozen meal.”
I frown. “A frozen meal? No way. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m treating you to Ji-Ho’s.”
“That’s okay, Willow—” he starts to refuse.
“I’m not going to let you sit here and eat crappy food all alone in this empty house. We’re going to Ji-Ho’s.”
He smiles warmly. “That means so much to me. Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty
Willow
The ride to Ji-Ho’s is quiet. Colt unpacked so much heartache onto me, and even though he felt comfortable enough to tell me about his past, I wish I knew what to say to make him feel better. But there’s nothing I can say because I, thankfully, haven’t been through anything like that. I know how lucky I am to have had an amazing childhood with unbelievable friends and a loving family. Maybe just being there for him is enough.
But after some time, and a short conversation, the pain in Colt’s eyes slowly disappears. It’s almost like just being around me lifts his spirits. I don’t think I have that much power, but from the genuine smile on his face and the way his eyes light up whenever I talk, maybe I do.
“Have you ever been to Ji-Ho’s?” I ask.
“Sure, many times. We went as a family—well, before Bri died.” He swallows, then offers me a smile. “And my friends and I eat there every now and then. The food is awesome and the atmosphere is so homey and welcoming. I love it there.”
The largest smile I’ve ever had breaks out on my face. Why does it matter so much that he likes my family’s restaurant? I don’t know. But it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I don’t have time to dwell on it because he continues to talk about how amazing our restaurant is and how he always wants to visit again after he’s eaten there.
“Repeat customers are always appreciated,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m glad you like the food and the atmosphere. You know my grandparents and great-grandmother struggled when they first settled here after emigrating from South Korea? If not for my dad’s quick rise to fame as a child actor, they would have probably shut down the restaurant. I can’t help but wonder where we would all be right now. Dad wouldn’t be an actor, and maybe Mia wouldn’t be either. Who knows, maybe they would have moved back to Korea. Which means Mom and Dad would have never met. Which means I wouldn’t be best friends with my Musketeers…” My friends and I have discussed this before, and the thought always leaves me horrified. “Actually, I would have been born different, to a different mother. Would I still be me…?”
Colt is quiet for a short while before laughing softly. “That’s way too philosophical.”
“Yeah, sorry. Do you believe in destiny and all that?”
He thinks for a little bit. “Maybe in some situations. Like, do I believe people are destined to marry certain people? Sure. Do I believe some people are born to do good in the world? I think so. But are people meant to die before their time? Are parents meant to split up?” He shrugs as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel, pressing his lips together. “I don’t think so.” He glances at me for a second. “What do you think?”
“Well, I’m all about the logic and the science. And there’s no scientific proof of destiny and all that. But then I look at what happened with my grandparents and great-grandmother, and then how my mom and dad—who would never in any other circumstance fall for each if not for high school because they’re so different—actually did fall in love. It doesn’t make sense, right? But it happened and it wasright.”
He’s quiet again as he mulls over my words. “Maybe.”
“Sorry. I think too much.”
He throws me a teasing grin. “Geniuses tend to do that.”
