Page 32 of Don't Point at the Moon

“Five Guys.”

“Huh? Oh. Yes, of course.”

“Johnston Road, Wanchai. See you outside at six-thirty. After which we can show him the dubious delights of the Wanchai bar scene.”

“Are you sure? You don’t have to. I don’t want to hijack your evening.”

“Please. You’ve done me a favour. My sister is taking her bridesmaids dress shopping and I donotwant to be there to clean up the mess after they’ve finished.”

Chapter Eight

The stainless-steel spoon Tommy had been holding clattered into the glass mug housing the remains of his bubble tea. A guy at another table turned at the sound and smiled at him. Only Tommy’s sister, Sammi, remained oblivious, continuing to check messages on her phone while sipping occasionally on a matcha green tea. That morning Tommy had dropped into her shop and dragged her out for a break. She had been almost relieved to see him, rather than irked at the unscheduled interruption.

“Georgie?” he asked aghast.

“Yes,” replied Sammi, not really paying attention.

“Supermodel, Georgie Yeung?”

“I’d hardly call her a supermodel. She’s tall and slender, I suppose.”

“You’ve finalised Georgie and Kiki as bridesmaids. Do you not see the problem?”

“They’re my best friends. I’d have had the Kwong twins, too, but their older sister is getting married on the same day in Taipei. So it’s Georgie and Kiki.”

“And as stunning as they both are, sister dearest, Georgie is a chopstick and Kiki is a dumpling. You are never going to find bridesmaids dresses to keep them both happy. It cannot be done.”

That remark finally got her attention. She looked up, her mouth dropping open.

“I cannot believe my own gay brother would body-shame my best friends. I should disown you. Besides, I am going to let them decide what they wear.”

“There is no way in this lifetime they are going to say yes to the same dress.”

“I’m bringing along a couple of bottles of bubbly. To help oil the wheels. We’ve booked the shop for the whole afternoon and early evening. It’ll be fun.”

“It’ll be carnage,” said Tommy, scooping out the last of his drink as a thought came to him. “Could you at least insist on full-length gowns, then persuade Georgie into sandals and Kiki into wearing high heels?”

“Why?”

“To ensure you’re all around the same height. And that any wedding photo of the three of you standing together doesn’t resemble a stepladder.”

“What is with you today?”

“Sis, those photographs will be stuck to your wall or propped up on your sideboard for years to come. You need to make sure they’re fabulous.”

“Look, I am not making everyone uncomfortable for the sake of photos. Give me some credit. I want them to be lasting memories with everyone genuinely happy, and if that means having Georgie in a grass skirt and Kiki in a kaftan, then so be it.”

Tommy thrust his hands over his eyes and grimaced at the mental picture.

“You might as well call Disney right now,” he said through his fingers, “and offer them the movie rights. You’ll have the perfect cast in place for a Pixar animated movie.”

“Do you know how much effort goes into planning a wedding? Do you? And don’t you think I should be able to do whatever I want on my special day?” she asked before muttering something.

“Is everything okay?” he ventured, not wanting to seem too concerned. “Between you and Daley?”

“Of course,” she replied. She appeared confused by his question. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You seem unusually stressed today.”

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