11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Elise
I hear the bell ring from the kitchen in Perk Up. Mary calls back to let me know Adeline and Rae are here. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a girls’ night and since I have more free time, it was overdue.
Finishing up the last of the prep so everything is ready to go in the morning, I glance around the kitchen to ensure it’s clean. Washing up, I hang my apron with one final check.
Having my afternoons free has been incredible and it feels like Mary has been here for years instead of mere weeks. Her cooking skills are phenomenal, and we have a great rotation of hot items, which more than pays for the cost of hiring her.
Leaving the kitchen, I smile at the gals. “Mary, everything is prepped for this evening and for in the morning, so there shouldn’t be much to do after close. Call me if there’s anything you need.”
She smiles maternally. “I will be okay. You have fun.”
With a wave, I follow my friends out the door.
“Brynne said she can’t come for pedicures, but I think I managed to convince her to join us for dinner.” Adeline’s voice is disappointed, but I’m not surprised.
We opt to walk to the salon, enjoying the sunny day.
“I’m not surprised. She doesn’t really like to be around crowds,” I voice my thoughts. Sighing, I think about how isolated she is and frown. “I’m hoping maybe we can get her out of her shell a bit. Her family name follows her like a curse in her mind, but no one blames her for her father and brothers’ issues with the law and overall horrendousness.”
Rae hums in agreement, her fingers flying over her phone. “Sorry, I’m sending off a contract for a new graphic design client. I know I’m still in school, but things are really taking off. I didn’t think people would want to hire someone who is still learning, but I was wrong.”
“You’ve always been creative and it’s not like you’re starting from scratch.” My words are strong. Rae comes across as confident, but sometimes she doubts herself. The work she’s been doing speaks for itself, but on occasion she slips and needs a reminder.
We reach the salon, Tamarya greeting us as we head inside. She recently added a few pedicure chairs to the back area trying to increase tourist traffic in her salon.
“Ah! My guinea pigs. The girls are waiting in the back for you.” She beams, her excitement palpable.
It doesn’t take long for us to be seated with our feet soaking in hot water, the massagers in the chairs buzzing.
“How are things going with Young Jae?” Rae cocks her head, eyeing me.
It’s been a couple weeks since things took a carnal turn, but I haven’t told my friends yet. I don’t know what Young Jae’s thoughts are regarding our friendship and what the sex means, so I didn’t text them. But I need their insight—just not right now.
Shrugging, I say easily, “Good. We’ve found our routine and I don’t think I wake him up when I get ready for work anymore.”
It’s moments like these that I’m grateful I’m not a big blusher otherwise my lie would be revealed. I want to tell them, but not in front of three of the town’s biggest gossips.
I see Rae eye Katie, Serena, and Beth. They’re clearly listening intently as they work on our feet and she nods slightly.
We move on to talk about how things are with Adeline and Owen. Owen’s mom moved into the apartment above Adeline’s barn this spring.
“How is it having the potential future mother-in-law so close?” I ask.
It’s hard for me to imagine having family nearby. My mom passed away when I was a child and my dad remarried and moved away as soon as I turned eighteen. He reaches out on my birthday and holidays, but our relationship has been strained due to his wife.
Adeline smiles fondly. “It’s been good. She’s very respectful, calling before she comes over and she never overstays her welcome.”
“That’s great. It’s hard enough in a small town to have boundaries sometimes. Being within walking distance could be a disaster.” Rae laughs, her family is tight-knit and she wouldn’t have it any other way. But her dad rarely leaves the farm, and her mom is so busy with committees and town functions that she doesn’t have time to push herself into her children’s lives.
They talk back and forth about their families and it’s hard not to feel that tug of missing out. I used to be close to my dad, but it’s been so long that I forget what it’s like.
Rae pauses, glancing at me. “Have you heard from your dad recently?”
Shaking my head, I shrug. “I heard from him at Christmas. Honestly, at this point I don’t know why he bothers. You’re all my family more than he is.”
They nod, their expressions fierce. “He’s missing out,” Adeline says.
Smiling at my friends, I reset the massager in the chair as we talk and change the subject. He is missing out, and I’m so grateful to have such an incredible group of friends who are always there for me. We finish up, our toes gleaming with fresh polish.
Despite Tamarya’s insistence that we were her test subjects, we paid her for the pedicures before returning to my place.
When I arrive home, I notice Young Jae has already left for dinner with his family. They all know I’m living with him, but don’t know about the shift in our relationship. He’s always been private about the women he sees, so it’s not unusual, but part of me wonders if I am different or if we’re just passing time.
The biggest question is, if he’s just passing time, can we return to what we were before? I don’t think my heart could take that.
The gals park on the driveway and follow me into the house through the garage. Kimchi comes racing down the stairs, excited to see me. She bounces around between us, not settling until we’ve all said hello.
“I will always be more of a cat person, but this dog makes me think I could do a dog too.” Raelyn chuckles as we follow Kimchi to the kitchen.
Adeline grins. “I’m trying to convince Owen that goats are a good idea. He’s not sold yet, but I always say it’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.”
Her eyes twinkle and I know she’s already started looking at goats.
We come into the kitchen, ready to scrounge up some food when we stop. On the counter is a huge bouquet of dahlias and a huge spread of food. All covered and ready to go with a note that a fresh bottle of white wine is chilling in the fridge.
“Okay, this is amazing. Why aren’t you with him again? He clearly cares about you as more than a friend.” Rae unfreezes, moving forward to take the covers off the food.
It’s everything needed to put together bibimbap.
“This smells incredible. What is it?” Adeline asks, looking at all the things laid out.
Instead of answering Rae, I show Adeline how to mix everything together.
The rice, veggies, bulgogi, egg, gochujang, and sesame oil all mix into the most delicious meal.
“This is one of my favorites. You can make it as spicy as you want.” I finish putting everything together and they quickly make their own.
We’re about to sit at the table with our food and full glasses of wine when the doorbell rings.
I set my dinner down and head to answer the door. Adeline and Rae speak in hushed tones, but I know it’s about me and Young Jae.
Opening the door, I’m thrilled to see Brynne on the other side.
“Hey! We’re so glad you came.” Ushering her into the house, I show her how to make bibimbap before pouring her a glass of wine.
Despite the distraction, I feel Rae’s eyes on me after she greets Brynne.
“So, why aren’t you and Young Jae together? And don’t give me the friend crap, this is more than ‘just friends’ behavior,” Rae presses, not letting me avoid her question.
Chewing on my lower lip, I lift my gaze and smile. “We’re sleeping together, have been for about two and a half weeks or so.”
Their shrieks are loud as they start talking over each other and my smile won’t go away. When they finally calm down, I fill them in on our dinner and the shift.
“I didn’t say anything because we haven’t talked about what we are. Are we friends with benefits until I move away? Are we dating? If we are, we haven’t gone on any dates. Nothing has changed except now I’ve seen him naked.” My smile falls a bit. “I want it to be more. I want something permanent. But it scares me that he doesn’t feel the same.”
They look at me empathetically. Understanding how hard it is to open yourself up to love and shifting relationships, even if it’s in different ways.
“You never know until you have the conversation,” Adeline points out, her voice soft.
Rae gestures to the table. “This doesn’t say casual to me.”
“Young Jae feels as deeply for you as you do for him. He has ever since we were in school.” Brynne’s raspy voice is quiet, but I know she means what she says.
Her words sink in. He’s liked me since school? I don’t think that’s right, but I know he likes me now and that’s enough.
I can see their point, but I’m not ready to ask the questions I know I will need to. “I’m just going to enjoy the moment for now and ask the questions later.”
They exchange looks and I know they’re worried about my heart, but my heart was Young Jae’s a long time ago. It may have been dormant for a while, but it was always there, lingering beneath the surface.