Page 10 of Something Cheeky

“If you want to say hi, she’s working in the restaurant today. I can give you directions.”

“Z, you’re killing me here. I’m not ready to get back in the car.”

“If you can find Ph?-Ever 75, then you can find Something Cheeky.”

“That’s right! You’re in Eden Center now. What’s it like working so close to your parents?”

“Mom and I have learned to give each other space. Literally and figuratively.”

“So you picked a location on the opposite side of the shopping center on purpose?”

“It was the best space for my boutique, which just happened to be far away from my parents.”

“How fortunate,” he said and chuckled.

“I got a sweet deal on it thanks to a new pilot program there for AAPI business owners. We’re trying to get it recognized as a historic site.”

“Whoa. I wish my hometown had something like Eden Center. We had hole-in-the-wall places that catered to non-Asian tastebuds.” Sadness flashed across his face so quickly that she almost missed it. “The program sounds super cool.”

“But you’re not here to talk about a strip mall’s history. Tell me about this musical.” Zoe sipped her new drink slowly. It’d be embarrassing if she choked on this one, too.

“It’s brand-new and Prestige Repertory is producing the world premiere. Which was why I went looking for your award-winning shop.”

“You’re laying it on thick. How did you know?”

“You’re not the only one whom your mom keeps informed.”

“What did I tell you? Nosyandmeddling.” She smiled as she shook her head indulgently. “Between her and my aunts, they have my life figured out.”

“You’re lucky to have so many family members who care about you,” he said wistfully.

She’d stuck her foot in her mouth. Derek’s mom had raised him on her own. Whenever they watched movies with huge, loud Asian families, jealousy flared inside him. Every time he’d come with her to DC during school breaks, he’d handled all her aunts, uncles, and cousins with ease.

“I know.” Zoe stirred her boba with the neon pink straw. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay. I love my mom. And I have my theater family in the city. We misfits have to stick together.”

“I’m sorry,” Zoe said so softly he almost missed it. Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry I never tried to mend things between us.”

“We’re doing it now.” He leaned in closer to her. Not that he had to move far in their tight space.

“I meant to text you once I had a handle on my life. But I was working long hours apprenticing with my fashion mentor and then I opened the boutique. The longer I went without, the worse I felt. Then you got famous.” She clamped her mouth shut to stop babbling.

“Theater famous means not at all. Unless you’re Lin-Manuel,” he half-joked. “It’s not like people recognize me on the subway.”

“I didn’t want you to think that I texted out of the blue because you’re a big deal now. I’d never abuse our friendship in order to name-drop you.”

“Z, I would never think that. Not after all we’ve been through in undergrad.”

“I know that, but it’d feel like that to me.”

“Would you feel better if we act out the scenario that’s playing in your head? I can improv some not-so-pleasant feelings against you. Maybe if you stomp on my foot.” He set his right foot in front of him.

“Still a Method actor, I see.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you to make myself feel better.”

“Well, I found you first. Which means you’re not taking advantage of me. Better?”

She shrugged but a smile crept on her face. He tapped her shoe with his until she looked up. Derek tapped her shoe again and stuck out his tongue.

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