Chapter 36
Zoe had never seen the Eden Center parking lot so empty on a Saturday morning. She wasn’t sure what was eerier, the quiet
or all the flashing blue and red lights from the police cars that were parked at odd angles scattered across the shopping
center. She had gotten them past the barricade after flashing her ID and a Something Cheeky business card.
“Park in front of my parents’ restaurant.” She pointed it out as if he weren’t familiar with it from his numerous visits during
college breaks.
Derek nodded patiently even though she’d snapped at him for missing several turns on the way here. He navigated his rental
car around multiple tarps that were held down with cement blocks, rocks, and various tools found in a car trunk.
Someone had covered all the racial slurs painted on the parking lot. Based on what had been painted on the windows and walls,
Zoe didn’t need to know what was under the tarps.
As soon as he put the gear into park, she bolted out and ran to the front of the restaurant, where a crowd had congregated.
“Má!” she called out as she searched for her mother’s familiar rounded cheeks and shoulder-length hair.
Several women who were also mothers turned around in response. When they realized it was Zoe, they made a path for her. She rushed through and embraced her mom, who was standing next to her brother.
“Má, are you okay?” she asked in Vietnamese. “Where is Ba?”
She’d read stories of vandalism and attacks in other cities but thought they were safe in the DMV. Broken glass could be replaced
and paint scrubbed away. Her parents could not be replaced.
“Slow down, con.” Her mother stroked Zoe’s back. “Everyone is safe. Your dad is over there, organizing cleanup.”
Zoe’s entire body relaxed in relief. Her father was a man of actions not words. He was sweeping up the glass and directing
people to various tasks.
“Hey, you made it.” Her brother gave her a tight smile. “I’m sorry about your shop.”
“When—how did this happen?” Zoe asked both of them. “Did the security cameras get their faces?”
“Z, breathe.” Derek had caught up with her. He rubbed her back.
“Derek!”
“C? H ? ng,” he greeted her mom with a kind smile. “Sorry I haven’t stopped by yet.”
“It’s okay. Zoe said you were busy.” Her mom stepped back. “Let me look at you.”
“Má, you can do that later,” Zoe protested.
Derek winked at Zoe to signal that he didn’t mind. He stood still with his hands clasped behind his back for her mom’s scrutiny.
“You are too skinny,” her mom declared. “Come into the restaurant after we open and I’ll make sure you eat.”
“Yes, C? H ? ng,” he replied obediently.
“Now tell me everything,” she demanded of her brother.
“I don’t know much except Bác Lê arrived early to open his tofu shop and saw, well, all that.” Eddie waved helplessly at the
damage and horrible, horrible words covering the walls.
“I’ll stay until everything has been cleaned,” offered Derek. He didn’t seem to care that today was his first day off in two weeks.
“Are you sure?” Zoe asked. “You barely know the people here.”
“How could I walk away when our community needs help?”
She hugged him, grateful to have him with her. She wasn’t sure if she’d have the strength to deal with the damage at Something
Cheeky on her own.
“The elders should check on their shops and make sure nothing was taken,” Zoe instructed her brother. “They don’t need to
be out here scrubbing paint and dealing with sharp glass.”
“Yeah, we can do all the heavy lifting,” TJ said from behind her.
Zoe spun around and gasped. Next to TJ was the entire cast of T?m Cám and the Boss Babes. They were dressed to scrub and clean. Zoe’s fears and anger melted into relief. Her eyes were wide as she
turned to Derek.
“I might’ve called the calvary.” He answered the question she didn’t have to vocalize.
“It’s your day off,” she repeated, this time to the actors, stage managers, and the rest of the Prestige staff.
“Which means we’ll be here as long as you need us,” Heather said in a voice that discouraged any argument. Everyone agreed
emphatically.
“Andre sends his apologies,” Trixie said.
“He’s really upset he can’t be here, but I told him that we couldn’t leave Hazel’s Kitchen even more shorthanded for Saturday
brunch,” Keisha explained.
“I already checked on your boutique,” Josie said. “It’s mostly superficial damage, but it’ll take some elbow grease to clean.”
“This is bullshit.” Th ? o shook her head at the hateful spray-painted words. “Time to rock the boat.”
“I’ll reach out to my social media connections and make sure this story is covered in the news,” Reina said. “I’m not letting anyone sweep this under the rug.”
Of all the Boss Babes, Reina had the most experience with publicity. She’d grown her network of influencers and journalists
in order to make her burlesque club a success. Trixie, Josie, and Keisha murmured in agreement.
The rest of their friends followed up with “Hell, no!” and “We’re not staying quiet.”
Zoe blinked away the tears forming in her eyes. She knew her Boss Babes always stood by her no matter what, but the actors
and people at Prestige barely knew her. They were all gathered here because of Derek. He’d reached out to their community
and they’d dropped everything to help.
“I can’t believe you did all this without me knowing.”
Derek shrugged as if it were no big deal. But it was. She tossed her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
After his initial shock, he relaxed into her very public display of affection. She didn’t get a chance to tell him this morning
that she’d changed her mind about keeping their relationship a secret. Telling him this way was much more fun.
Their friends were cheering at their intimate embrace. She’d almost forgotten how loud theater people were. She laughed against
his lips and pulled away from Derek.
“Are you sure about this?” he whispered.
“No more hiding.”
“Yes!” He picked her up from the waist and spun around like people did in the movies.
Somewhere in the distance she heard clapping and more cheering. When he finally set her down, she smiled shyly at her friends,
new and old.
“I knew it!” TJ yelled indignantly. “You lied to me.”
Everyone laughed. Danny hushed him. TJ pouted but gave Zoe a nod of approval when they made eye contact.
“Finally, my daughter comes to her senses,” her mother announced to her friends. “Derek is a good man.”
Zoe cringed. She’d made out with Derek in front of her mom and all her aunties and uncles. At least they’d gotten her mother’s
approval.
“Okay, everyone, kissing time is over. Let’s get to work,” her brother announced as he clapped his hands. He turned to Zoe.
“For the love of God, I don’t need to see you suck face with anyone ever again.”
“Get used to it, Eddie.” She laughed as he led people away to assign them various jobs. Now that everyone’s attention was
diverted, she should have an actual conversation with Derek. Using words.
“You’re magical,” she said.
“No, they’re here because they respect you. Like you.”
“I get it now.”
“Get what?” Derek’s head tilted in confusion.
“Why you wanted to tell our friends. They don’t care that we’re working on the show together.”
“I’ll refrain from an I told you so ,” Derek teased.
She smacked his arm. Not too hard.
“Ow!” he exclaimed dramatically.
“That didn’t even hurt. Don’t make me regret dating an actor.” She pointed a finger playfully at him. “But what are we going
to do about Greg?”
Derek worried his lip as he considered her question. When he didn’t respond, Zoe frowned in worry. Maybe she’d been too rash
in her decision. They should’ve talked it over—what, for the third time? No more overthinking. Their friends knew about them
and she couldn’t take it back.
“I’ll figure something out,” Derek reassured her. “Right now we have to take care of our own.”
She nodded and tilted her face up for a kiss. Derek quickly complied.
“Cut it out,” her brother cried.
Zoe ignored her brother. Now that everyone knew about them, she could kiss Derek whenever and wherever she wanted. They’d
deal with Greg and the aftermath on Monday when she was back at Prestige.