Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
“ W hoa. You okay?” Dylan reached for her wrist. “That’s new.”
Their chemistry had melted the plastic.
But that wasn’t possible.
Pens exploded. Accidents with ink happened; the lining on her purse could attest to that. That’s why pocket protectors were a thing. She’d just never seen a pen blow up before.
“I’m okay.” She kept her hand extended so she didn’t end up with silver all over her clothes.
Dylan tilted her hand under the fluorescent lighting to better see the ink. The shimmer was pretty. As a connoisseur of writing utensils, she made a mental note to add more special ink pens to her arsenal.
“I’ll let marketing know the new Tempo Rain markers are a literal bust.” For the second time in this short meeting, Dylan raised the hem of his sweatshirt. He gently took her wrist and wiped her fingers off on the inside of his cotton undershirt. The move felt especially intimate because her knuckles brushed his hard abs.
“You don’t have to do that.” Mallory’s voice was low. “Thank you, though.”
Dylan didn’t release her.
The fabric of his sweatshirt enveloped their hands.
Mallory locked gazes with him as her phone buzzed. She didn’t have to look at the screen to know that her break was up. “I have to go.”
“Me too.” He didn’t let her go. “People are waiting.”
Though she didn’t want to, Mallory gently tugged free. “Good luck with your mentoring. I hope you found a talented group.”
“Oh, they’re insanely talented. That’s not their problem.”
She wanted to stay and hear more. Instead, she gave Dylan a small wave and headed back out to her table.
The rest of the event went smoothly.
Toward the end of the signing, she got a text from Dylan. Sorry again about the ink.
Ink stains are a professional hazard. The silver stain had made her think of Dylan for the rest of the signing. How did your day go?
These guys are going to be huge, if they can keep it together.
Mallory sent a cheering emoji. What did his mentoring entail? Was it getting in the way of his own work? What was he up to this week? Did he have any downtime to catch a crepe and wine with her? What was the equivalent in Seoul? Pork belly and soju?
She typed none of these questions. She needed to get him out of her head. He was occupying more than his fair share of space up there.
She needed to keep her brain cells for contracts and second drafts, not necessarily in that order.
Oliver sent her a text expressing the company’s pleasure at the turnout.
I’m glad they’re pleased.
Oliver sent another text. How did Sunny work out? I know she still hasn’t found the rental for you. I’ll arrange for another realtor to take you around.
Mallory frowned. Oliver was greatly attentive. No complaints there, but she felt protective of Sunny. Though the woman was older than her, she seemed to have much less power over her life. Thank you, but no. I prefer Sunny.
At the end of the event, Mallory was shaking out her signing hand, but still smiling. She turned to Jenny and Sunny with gratitude. “I don’t even know how to thank you two. Coffee? Dinner? Salon day?”
Sunny waved off her suggestions. “I was happy to help. It’s my job.”
Stellar work deserved a reward, plus she enjoyed hanging out with these two. “I was hoping you’d pick salon,” Mallory said. “I hear beauty treatments are next level in Seoul.”
“That’s true,” Sunny said.
“Look at these pores.” Mallory tapped her cheekbone. “I could use a facial.”
Sunny checked her out. “Not bad, but I can recommend a great toner. Or we can upgrade your primer.”
“Poor college kid here. I’m not saying no to food or the salon,” Jenny said with such younger-sister energy and goodwill that they both laughed.
“Say when.” Sunny relented and brightened. “In fact, let’s hit up a café now and plan out our treat. I know the prettiest one, if you don’t mind a fifteen-minute train ride.”
They went to the café that Sunny recommended, overlooking a beautiful waterfall framed along the mountainside by red and gold autumn leaves. Mallory touched the cool glass of the window. “Seoul isn’t what I expected.”
“What did you expect?” Jenny asked.
“Fewer people, certainly no waterfalls outside a café. I’m kind of loving it.”
Jenny and Sunny looked pleased as she praised their city.
The waitress brought them lemonades and the small fancy cakes they’d ordered. A bubbly bear jiggled on top. When Mallory poked the belly with the tines of her fork, the bear dissolved into a vanilla sauce over the top of her cake.
Mallory toasted the other women with her lemonade. “Thanks again for today.” She’d ordered the honey cake, and the golden shimmer they’d added to the vanilla sauce made her tilt her dessert plate to appreciate the sparkle.
Sunny waved her hands, drawing her attention back to the café. She aimed her fork at the bear’s head, and a dark chocolate sauce flowed out. “I never say no to chocolate. Plus, this is such a nice break from assisting with office paperwork.”
“I was happy to help too. Those were my people.” Jenny poked at her bear to release a mango sauce. She looked from her plate to Sunny’s. “Maybe I should have gone with the chocolate.” Sunny scooped a piece onto her plate, making Jenny perk up. “Thanks.”
The cake’s visual delight was fun, but the taste was even more divine, a mild vanilla with a hint of honey. She sent photos to her foodie cousin Violet. Violet was more into savory than sweet, but she’d appreciate the science that went into the pretty dessert.
“Texk is really pleased with the turnouts at the signings.” Sunny gave them two thumbs up. “I’ve gotten multiple emails with the stats. You’re a hit. Texk will set up more interviews while you’re in town. Nothing is more alluring than success.”
“Rightly so,” Jenny said. “I couldn’t imagine supporting you any more than I do today.” She paused carefully. “Unless, of course, you were to tell me about the next book or give me a hint about the movie casting. Then I’d be an even greater fan.”
Mallory made finger hearts in her direction. “I think you’re the perfect level of fan right now.”
Jenny gave a deep sigh, but she returned the finger hearts.
Mallory leaned forward. “Enough about me. What’s going on with you two?”
“One of the reasons I wanted to meet up was my good news.” Jenny bounced in her seat. “Austin accepted my portfolio. Study abroad for graphic design is a go.”
They spoke more about school until Jenny winced. “Sorry, I’m monopolizing the conversation. Tell us what you have going on, Sunny.”
“Well.” Sunny smiled slowly. “I’ve got my own good news.” Her grin grew bigger. “The architect hated the interior designer’s moody mid-mod efforts on the first unit.” Sunny had told her about Texk’s Han River residential development during their showings.
“I hadn’t realized they were that far along,” Mallory said. Was this a rental option? Would there be construction noise? Or were the units ready to go?
“We are way ahead of schedule,” Sunny said, pleased.
“Why are you so happy the designer tanked it?” Jenny finished off her mango cake. “Do you hate them? Is it that German thing where you like it when bad things happen to people you hate?”
“A touch.” Sunny nodded. “Because the architect abhorred the interior, he’s letting me decorate a unit.”
“Ooh.”
“I’m excited but terrified.” Sunny lowered her voice. “He’s hyper-picky. But I’m going to nail it.”
“You got this,” Jenny said. She made a cheers gesture by jabbing her elbow down at her side.
Mallory nodded in agreement. “If I’ve learned anything by going around the various neighborhoods with you, it’s that you have exquisite taste.”
Sunny beamed. “You both have to come do a walk-through and spot any flaws before I take the super-perfectionist through the unit.” She pinched her lips together and nodded. “Your graphic design eye will help ensure I’ve balanced everything, Jenny. And Mallory can bring a Western viewpoint.”
Mallory nodded. “You got it.”
Jenny gave a thumbs-up. “I’m in. Let me know when it’s ready.” Her phone buzzed, and she checked the screen. “That’s Mom. We haven’t even planned our salon day.” She rose and pushed her porcelain dessert plate away. “Honestly, though, say the time, and I’m in.”
“I know a ton of options. Leave it to me to set up the appointments,” Sunny promised.
Jenny gave her a thumbs-up.
They walked out to the parking lot together.
Mrs. Lee drove a large sedan, the kind that shouted family and safety. While Jenny got in, Sunny and Mallory went to the driver’s side to greet Mrs. Lee.
Mrs. Lee lowered the window. “How was the cafe?” Mrs. Lee asked. “I recommend it for the blind dates I set up. Is it still nice?”
Mallory nodded. “Very.” She mouthed, “Seatbelt,” to Jenny.
Jenny clicked on her seatbelt and leaned forward to have a clear view of Sunny and Mallory. “Mom’s the best matchmaker out of her circle of friends. She prides herself on her success rate.”
Sunny winced. “I wish I’d had her help.”
Mrs. Lee patted her hand on the window frame.
Much about modern Seoul reminded Mallory of home. And the lovely people she’d met who graciously spoke English for her made her feel welcome right away. But the way they spoke of matchmaking seemed really foreign, but not unappealing. Her cousins were great, but none of them had a steady, loving partner. Maybe they all needed matchmakers. She’d propose the idea in her family group chat and see what they thought. “Me too,” Mallory said.
“Mrs. Lee will have to help you out.” Sunny faced Mrs. Lee but pointed at Mallory. “Pretty, kind, and rich. But somehow no date? Where is she going wrong? Or are all the single men crazy?”
Mallory waved her off. “I’m a hopeless case. My longest relationship was a year, and that was an uphill battle.”
Sunny made a hissing sound through her teeth. “It was your professional success that put him off, wasn’t it?”
Mallory blushed. She’d broken up or been broken up with for various reasons over the years. But, yes, her ex had been threatened by her books taking off. She gave a reluctant nod.
“Men.” Sunny shook her head, jostling strands of her dark hair free from her clip. “Maybe she’s better off staying single.”
“No. No.” Mrs. Lee looked thoughtful. “I know some families in America.”
“She could stay here,” Sunny said, squeezing her arm lightly. “I found a new salon buddy. And I’m finding an apartment on the river for her.”
No, no, Texas was home. Wait. Why was she rejecting Sunny’s suggestion so quickly?
Her cousins loved to travel. They’d come to visit. Friend-wise, she already felt close to Sunny, and Jenny too. As an author, she was lucky that she could work almost anywhere. Why not this vibrant city?
If Mrs. Lee found her the perfect guy, or better yet, a guy who’d split his time between both Austin and Seoul, why not? Her mind was opening. But that was just a dream, wasn’t it?
Mrs. Lee nodded.
A car pulled into the lot, wanting the spot, so Mrs. Lee waved and put the car in gear.
Mallory and Sunny got out of the way and walked to the train station that would take them back to the city center.
“Can you imagine when the guys are thirty-five or so, and she sets them up? Ha. The queue will wrap around the city. I can’t wait to see Rain going on blind dates. He’ll love being married. And he’ll be the best dad.”
Hard to imagine any rock star in that capacity, but Sunny knew him best. “Why thirty-five?” Her mind went to Dylan. Would he really wait seven years to find his match? Would she be available in seven years to join the line of women waiting to go on a date with him? Did she qualify? What were the metrics? Her mind flooded her with images of bouquets and bridal gowns, and Dylan on a bended knee. Stop . Why was she still thinking about Dylan?
“Their careers are so hot right now, and with the travel, and the fans…they should enjoy the ride. Not settle down too young, like me.”
“Mmm.” Mallory made a noncommittal sound that was neither agreement nor disagreement. On one hand, she could see the fans making it hard on the guys. On the other, wouldn’t having a loving partner ease the stress? Ugh. Not her place to have an opinion.
When Mallory got back to her hotel, the hotel staff followed her up carrying three bouquets. Two were from Oliver and Texk congratulating her on the successful signing. The third, also congratulating her, made her heart leap. Pink daisies. She knew before looking at the card that they were from Dylan.
She fussed over the vase. And yes, her mind went straight back to her hotel room in Paris, to an image of Dylan barefoot amongst the fallen petals. From there, her daydream turned to her carrying a bouquet of daisies down an aisle of a big chapel. From what Sunny said, at twenty-eight years old, Dylan wasn’t able to commit.
Mallory was also twenty-eight. The idea of a partner was growing on her, taking up space in her head. Perhaps a guy who would bring home pink daises for her regularly. A lover who would pull her close at night. The man starring in those fantasies was Dylan.
Dylan wasn’t an option. Dylan hadn’t asked her to choose him. Or to wait. Besides, waiting until thirty-five to find love wasn’t a choice she would make.
Dylan belonged in a corner of her mind reserved for special memories. She’d categorize him there and not think about him again unless his songs popped up on her streaming playlist. Then she’d drift back to that autumn day on the Pont Neuf on the Seine with a fond smile. But as for Dylan. She had to let him go.
Her phone rang.
Scissors came up on the screen, her nickname for the incoming caller. Dylan.
Her insides danced, but she shoved that reaction down. Heart flutters belonged in Paris. Seoul was for contracts. “Hello.”
“I hope my sister wasn’t too much of a pest at your signing?” Dylan’s deep voice had all the richness of a toasty marshmallow roasted over a cozy cave campfire on a chilly night.
Enough. Dylan was phoning for practicalities.
She had to let him go. She made a quick decision. “Jenny’s wonderful. In fact, I wanted to run something by you before I offer it to her.”
“Shoot.”
“Jenny’s planning a trip to Austin, to set up for next semester. My house is in the hill country. If she wants to stay there while she and your mom get her arrangements sorted, she’d be welcome to stay with me. I wanted to offer earlier, but I don’t want to overstep.” Mallory often had friends stay over, but it was unusual for her to offer a room to people she didn’t know as well. But Jenny was just one of those people she readily connected with, like Sunny.
“That’s really nice of you.”
“I’d like to.” Seoul was spinning too many unrealistic and tempting Dylan fantasies in her mind. She needed to go home to reality.
“They’re going next week.”
Going home would straighten out her head. She’d do that instead of find a rental. “I know. I’ll fly home with them, then come back if the company needs me again in person. I don’t think they will though. We can do the rest of our meetings online.” Mallory crossed her fingers, hoping, despite all her rationalizations, that Dylan would ask her to stay.
He didn’t.
Production meetings and signings absorbed Mallory’s last week in Seoul, then she was home. In Austin, Mallory felt oddly disconnected and was grateful she had the distraction of showing Jenny and Mrs. Lee around.
They exclaimed over the offerings on campus, the size of her home, the pool, and the weather.
It only took a few days before Jenny had selected her dorm, schedule, and books for the upcoming spring semester. Mrs. Lee encouraged her all the while, and after a brunch Mallory threw with her cousins, Mrs. Lee seemed even more at ease. When Jenny returned in January, she’d have a ready-made community to fall back on.
“When you visit Korea again, I’ll set you up.” Mrs. Lee looked up at the high ceiling and the comfy sofa by the fire. “You live in such a big place, clearly you love having people around.”
Mallory smiled, enjoying her motherly tone. Mrs. Lee had been organizing things for Jenny; now she was turning that attention to Mallory.
“Yeah, this place is great,” Jenny said. “It’s gorgeous, but it’s definitely a family home. Why’d you buy something so big?”
She normally dodged questions about her family. But these two women had become close to her. And with Jenny moving here, she hoped they’d remain friends. Where that left her with Dylan, she didn’t know, but possibly he could be a friend too. Relationships were confusing, friendships easy in comparison. “I grew up here.” Mallory bit her lip. Ten years on and the thought of losing her parents still made tears sting her eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose.
Mrs. Lee picked up on the emotion instantly. She gave her a hug, and Jenny followed.
“I inherited the house ten years ago. It was a car wreck.” Mallory stopped there. Her eighteenth year had been shattering. She shook her head. “Let’s talk about happy things.” She’d had to fight hard to live in happiness like her parents would have wanted, and for her, grief was a burden to fight.
After extended hugs and condolences, the conversation turned to what Jenny would do over the next few days in town, after Mrs. Lee returned home.
The next morning, Mallory waved goodbye with promises to visit next time she went to Seoul. The next few days with Jenny were filled with sightseeing and shopping.
It was on Jenny’s last day, a Wednesday, that Dylan showed up.
In Texas .