Chapter Seventeen

Mai whipped the eggs to a creamy pale-yellow.

Dale grated sharp cheddar cheese. “Is this enough?”

Mai glanced at the pile of cheese shreds on the plate. “Perfect. Like you.”

Dale placed the grater in the sink. “Not saying that to get laid, are you?”

Mai laughed. “Nah, I don’t think it would take that much.”

“Pretty cocky now you’ve got into my panties, aren’t you?” Dale wrapped her arms around Mai’s waist and nipped the side of her neck.

Mai yipped and slopped a bit of egg down the side of the bowl. “Hey. No fair.”

Dale soothed the nip with her mouth. “Hurry up. I have plans for you.”

Mai groaned. “You make it hard to cook, ya know.” She wiped her hands off and then patted Dale’s hands. “Go. Sit. Over there or I’ll never get breakfast finished.”

Dale stepped back and held up her hands. “Got it.”

She sat down across from Mai and studied her as she cooked their omelet. The scent of butter as it melted in the pan filled the kitchen. Mai pushed the button on the toaster and then poured the egg mixture into the hot pan. With sure motions she tilted the pan and the liquid egg spread out and solidified. Minutes later, Dale was taking her first bite of the sublime breakfast Mai had prepared as easy for her as breathing.

The rattle and squeak of the back door opening followed by Noah’s appearance in the kitchen brought the harsh realization she and Mai would not be able to continue their sexy plans.

Unless she wanted Noah to know. No, that couldn’t happen. Noah would be devastated when Mai left if he thought Dale and Mai were a couple. No forever. Not for them. Just a for now. One night and a long morning after. Her stomach knotted. What the hell was she thinking playing house with someone who had been out looking for the same thing Dale had wanted? A hookup. Sex with no responsibility.

Mai’s hand on her thigh made her start and she spilled her juice into her plate, spoiling her breakfast. She launched herself off the bar stool and grabbed a kitchen towel to mop up her juice. “Noah! Hey!” Dale hugged her son and met Mai’s gaze over his shoulder, as she tossed her the dish towel, pleading with her eyes for Mai to not acknowledge what had gone on between them.

Mai’s expression shuttered.

“I was gone overnight, Mom.” Noah wiggled out of Dale’s hug. His gaze shifted between Dale and Mai.

Mai pursed her lips as she finished mopping up the mess, collected their plates, and placed them next to the sink. The splash of water in the drain brought Dale out of her fog.

“Why don’t you use the dishwasher?”

Mai frowned at Dale. “What?”

Dale tugged open the door to the dishwasher. “I fixed it. Bad wire. And I replaced the seal.” She held out her hand toward Mai. “You scrape, I’ll load.”

Noah whooped. “All right, Mom! I was sick of washing dishes.”

Mai’s gaze settled on Dale and heat rose in her face. Dale shifted her gaze to her hands, avoiding her eyes. “Sorry it took me so long to fix it. I should’ve made it a priority.”

Mai’s hand brushed hers as she passed her a dish. “Sometimes it takes someone else showing us how much easier our life could be if we fix the stuff we’ve let slide.”

Noah slouched onto a bar stool and snagged an apple from the bowl on the counter. “I’ve got homework. This summer school stuff is intense.” He raised his eyebrows at Mai. “What do I need to do for dinner tonight?” He took a bite of the apple.

“Nothing. I got this. Homework is a priority.”

Noah finished his apple while Dale and Mai loaded the dishwasher in silence. Dale’s chest squeezed tight. Mai’s icy demeanor and stiffness was torture. She longed for the easy time they had and wondered how to get back there.

*

“You find everything?” The grocery clerk scanned their purchases. She batted her eyes at Noah and her heavy blue eye shadow flaked at the corners.

“Yeah, Brandy, we found everything.” Noah handed the envelope with their grocery money to Mai.

“You going to Kelly’s party Saturday?” Brandy twisted her long hair streaked with purple around her fingers.

“Not sure.” He ducked his head and stepped along the counter to help bag their groceries.

Mai bit her lip as she watched the blush creep up Noah’s neck.

“Eighty-three dollars and forty-nine cents is your total.”

Mai drew two twenties from the envelope and then pulled her money clip from her pocket and peeled off two more twenty-dollar bills and a five. She handed them to her clerk.

The cashier’s face scrunched up as she pulled a counterfeit bill checker marker and highlighted each twenty-dollar bill. She cracked her gum and then smiled at Mai. “You visiting or passing through?”

“She’s staying with us, for now. She used to live here. Before she had her show.”

Brandy tilted her head and studied Mai. “For real?”

Mai sighed. “For real.”

Brandy gave Mai her change. “Why’d you come back?” She snorted. “If I get out of here, I’m not coming back. You gonna stay?”

Mai sensed Noah’s gaze on her. “I am. For now.” She glanced up. Noah’s eyes were dark. He settled the last bag in their cart and walked away pushing their cart.

Mai shoved her change in her pocket and hurried after him.

Noah’s hunched shoulders and his stiff posture as he loaded the cab of the truck with the groceries made Mai huff out a breath.

She waited until they were on their way back to Noah’s house to speak. “I’m planning on staying, Noah. But if Yvonne needs to live closer to a large medical center, I’m going to move us there.”

“Cleveland Clinic is an hour from us. Would she need more than that?”

“I don’t know. UCLA has managed to keep her condition stable, but it could change suddenly.”

Noah chewed his lip as he kept his gaze on the road. “I get it.”

“Do you?” Mai drummed her fingers on her knees. “It’s not something I can control, Noah. I left before because I had something to prove to everyone.”

“And now?” He flipped the blinker lever on with his hand as he slowed the truck to make a left turn.

“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself. I was selfish when I left. I left my mom to deal with the restaurant and my sister.” Mai swallowed on a dry throat. “It was too much. My mom had a heart attack a year later.”

“That’s not your fault.”

Mai rolled the hem of her shirt between her fingers. “I would have been there. Yvonne wouldn’t have been the one to find her.”

“When my grandma passed, my grandpa and I were in the workshop. He and I were making a fancy box for Mom’s birthday. We came in for lunch and she was gone. He still thinks it was his fault she died. That if he had been there, he could have called 9-1-1 and she would still be here.” Noah’s voice broke. “And I blamed myself because I bugged him about making the box because Mom was going through a sad time and I wanted to make her happy.” Noah pulled into the driveway and turned the car off. He swiped at his nose with his sleeve. “But the doctor said it wouldn’t have made a difference. Grandma had an aneurism. He said even if she’d been in the hospital, she wouldn’t have made it.”

Mai reached over and squeezed Noah’s shoulder. “My head says you’re right, but my heart still feels like it wasn’t right to leave. I was angry. My mom was ridiculous when I came out to her. Pretended like she hadn’t heard me. Acted like I was invisible unless she needed something. Never acknowledged all the things I did after my father died to keep the restaurant going. When I had the opportunity to leave, I did.”

Noah slouched in his seat. Mai shifted her gaze from his face to the baby-blue Electric glide motorcycle parked in front of the house. “Who’s here?”

Noah glanced in the sideview mirror. “Sidney.” He popped the locks on the truck.

“The security guard from the farmer’s market?” Mai’s heart squeezed hard. “Thought you said they broke up.”

Noah shrugged. “I thought they did. Maybe Mom changed her mind.” He pinned Mai in place with his gaze. “Not like she’s got any reason not to date her.”

Mai shoved aside the vicious wave of jealousy that swept over her. “Yeah.”

*

The low murmur of voices from the living room made Mai grit her teeth. Noah kicked the door closed behind them. Mai set her bag on the counter.

“Hey partner, how about not slamming the door?” Sidney’s bulky frame filled the doorway to the living room.

Noah ignored her and turned to Mai. “Should I leave the eggs out to get to room temperature?”

“I spoke to you, Noah.” Sidney’s voice had dropped to a menacing growl.

“You did. And you’re not my mom.” Noah turned his back to Sidney and busied himself with putting groceries away.

Dale cleared her throat. “Sidney was just leaving.”

“I don’t have to rush off.” Sidney dragged a kitchen chair over and plopped into it. She stretched her legs out and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have time. I haven’t met your—friend?”

Mai drew herself up and met Sidney’s taunting gaze. “Mai Li.”

Sidney crossed her legs at the ankle and a bit of red dirt fell off her boots. “Seen you at the farmer’s market. Talking to Sally. Spent a long time at her stall.”

Mai washed a bunch of grapes and laid them in a colander to dry. She tucked two pears into the fruit bowl on the counter. “She has lovely produce.”

“Well, that’s one way to say it.” Sidney’s leer made Mai want to wipe it off with a skillet. Sidney latched on to Dale’s arm and rubbed her thumb over her wrist. “Dale and I used to go to the farmer’s market with Noah. Before he got all sassy mouth.”

Noah slammed a cabinet shut behind Mai.

Dale yanked her arm away from Sidney’s touch and rubbed the back of her hand on her jeans. “Once. We went once. And it’s time for you to go.”

“We’re getting to know each other. What’s your business, Mai?”

“My business is my business. Dale has asked you to leave. Twice now.” She rested her hands on her hips and glared at Sidney.

Sidney rose from the chair. “I could make it my business.”

Mai held her ground and met Sidney’s hard look with one of her own.

Sidney’s eyes narrowed. “Where’re you from anyway?”

Mai pursed her lips. “I don’t owe you an explanation of any kind. You have no authority in this house. Or anywhere else unless you’re being paid to work as security.” She tilted her head toward Dale. “And if my friend is not inclined to press this, I am.” Mai walked around the end of the bar as she dried her hands on the dish towel. “Get out. Now. You are not welcome here.”

Sidney’s face grew red and her jaw bulged where she tightened it. “No one talks to me like that.”

Mai widened her stance. “You’re a bully. And rude. And bitter.”

Dale moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mai. Noah moved and stood behind the two of them. “Leave now, Sidney. Don’t come back. I’ve made my position clear. We are over.”

“But why?” Sidney’s face crumpled in confusion.

“Because I’m not in love with you. I never was. We dated for six months, and then it was over. It’s been over since last year. I don’t know how else to spell it out for you. I don’t want to be with you. Leave. Now.”

Sidney shoved the chair back under the table roughly and stormed from the house. The roar of her motorcycle as she started it with its loud pipes rattled the windows. The noise faded as she drove off.

Dale rested her hand on Mai’s forearm. “Thank you.”

Mai chewed her lip. “Has she ever threatened you? Or Noah?” She twisted the kitchen towel in her hands.

“No. She’s harmless. More bark than bite.”

Mai shrugged. “If you say so.” She turned back toward the kitchen.

Dale grabbed her arm and spun her into her arms. She looked into Mai’s eyes before she drew her into a deep kiss. “Don’t worry about her.”

Mai dropped the kitchen towel she was holding and hugged Dale to her. She looked over her shoulder and right into Noah’s wide-eyed face.

*

Dale circled to come up on the side of the line for Mai’s rolled omelet stall. Winding across the center square, it stretched past the bell stand on the far side of the square. She observed Noah as he took the orders and set up the ingredients. A broad smile on his face even as he hustled to keep up. Mai’s back was to Dale as she worked two omelet pans on the two-burner stove at the rear of the stall. She stepped over the sandbags holding the popup awning in place and worked her way to stand in front of the cooktop.

“You take special orders?” Dale pitched her voice low, for Mai’s ears alone.

Mai glanced up and into Dale’s eyes. “Depends.”

“On what?”

Mai tilted the pan and a perfectly browned omelet slid onto the paper plate waiting for it. She sprinkled a bit of fine herbs over the top and passed it to Noah. “On what you want to trade for it.” Her eyes gleamed.

Dale’s pulse sped up as a flush spread over her face. “I’m sure we can come to some agreement.”

Mai turned out another omelet. Noah appeared at her shoulder. “Hey, Mom. Mai, how are we doing on supplies?”

Mai eyed the jug of premixed eggs and the remaining cheese and bacon pieces. “We have enough for about twenty more bacon and cheese omelets. And ten plain after.”

Noah turned back to his position at the front.

“He looks happy.”

Mai grinned at Dale. “It’s like anything else you like to do, it’s not work. He’s high off the energy of the crowd and the hustle. He’s got the makings of a line chef. He’s cool, even when it gets super busy. Before you came, we had an order for six omelets from the folks over at the pottery stall.”

Dale’s phone vibrated. “Sorry, it’s Seth.” She stepped away from the booth to take the call.

“Hey, are you coming? I need you to see this mess of wiring. I don’t want to touch it.”

“Be there in five.” She thumbed the phone off. When she turned back a steaming omelet on a plate was next to the stove.

Mai inclined her head as she wiped out the omelet pan. “That one’s yours.”

“What do I owe you?” She picked up her plate, cut the omelet with her fork and took a bite, and chewed slowly while she held Mai’s gaze.

Mai looked at Dale from the tops of her eyes. “We can work it out later.” Her mouth pulled into a wolfish grin.

Dale finished her omelet in four bites and whispered, “Oh, I’m sure we can. I’m positive I have something you want.” She held Mai’s gaze long enough to enjoy the dull red blush spreading over her cheeks.

“See you at home, Noah,” Dale called. She stepped back and turned toward the parking lot. Sidney’s hot glare disturbed her mellow feelings and she made a sharp turn to avoid walking past her, desperate to hold on to the flirty glow that warmed her belly and her heart.

*

Mai snuggled into the soft curve of Dale’s breasts and pressed close. The steady thump of Dale’s heartbeat in her ear soothed her. Drowsy after their lovemaking, because Mai was lying to herself if she thought it was sex now. It was love. Love, full throttle, bearing down on them both, no matter how Dale tried to pretend otherwise. Mai saw it her eyes and sensed it in every touch. Love. The one thing she was certain she would not find back in her hometown had taken her by surprise.

Dale carded her fingers through Mai’s hair. “You awake enough I can ask you a question?”

“Isn’t that a question?”

Dale tugged her hair. “You’re such a smart-ass sometimes. And yes.”

“So, ask.” Mai rested her hand on the curve of Dale’s stomach.

“My sister Ida is getting married. Again.”

Mai rose on her elbow to look Dale in the face. “And? You want me to do the food?”

Dale frowned. “No. I want you to come with me. As my date.”

“You want to out us as a couple at your sister’s wedding?”

“Half the town thinks we already are. What’s the problem?”

Mai sat up and took Dale’s hand and laced their fingers together. “No problem on my end. But we’ve only told Noah.”

“If Noah knows, all the boys know.” Dale looked away from Mai’s face. “Are you afraid to be seen with me? Afraid it will cut into your dating opportunities?”

Mai reached over and cupped her face. “Look at me. Please?”

Dale’s eyes were bright.

Mai kissed her. “I’d be more than happy to go with you. I’m not ashamed of you. Why would you ever think that?”

“I’m not exactly your type.” She passed her hand over her body.

The insecurity in Dale’s gaze undid Mai. “What are you talking about?” She drew her into a deep kiss. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted. Smart, hardworking. Generous, kind. And sexy as hell.”

“Don’t. Don’t say things you don’t mean.” Dale pressed her lips together in a firm line.

“I don’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass. I…” Mai bit back the words she was terrified to say, to admit, even to herself. “I care for you, Dale. I’d like to accompany you to Ida’s wedding.”

Dale tugged her down and rolled them over. Her eyes were dark. “Thank you.” She caged Mai with her arms and kissed her fiercely. “Even if you don’t mean any of the sweet things you said it was nice to hear. And thank you.”

Mai gripped Dale’s hips and held fast. “I meant every word. And someday you’re going to believe me the first time I tell you something.”

“Someday.” Dale settled her head against Mai’s shoulder.

Mai twisted a lock of Dale’s smooth hair between her fingers. “You’re so bold when we are in the middle of a scene. You’re a kickass top. And outside this room you run your own business and are hard-ass enough you can push a crew to get jobs finished on time under or on budget. How can you be this insecure about our relationship?”

“Because I have a fucking awful habit of picking the wrong folks. Bill. Molly. That psycho Sidney.” Dale burrowed her face into Mai’s neck. “I let Molly spend me into near bankruptcy. I’m still digging out of that hole.”

“I’m not them.” Mai rubbed Dale’s back in slow circles and kissed her forehead. “And you didn’t pick me. I showed up.”

Dale raised her head and held Mai’s gaze. “I’m still me. Give me time.”

Mai brushed her lips over Dale’s mouth. “As much as you need.”