Page 9 of Give Me a Reason

“You’re right. You would think I’d remember afterthirty-eightyears.” Her aunt somehow maintained a straight face, even when her father flinched at the mention of how long they’d known each other. “I’m sorry, Hyeongbu. Oh my goodness. There I go again. I mean, sorry, Jonathan.”

Tessa choked on her tea, and Auntie Sharon patted her back soothingly. Anne tucked her chin to hide her smile. Oblivious tothe unfolding scene, Juliette sniffed at her tea and took a dainty sip before heaving a dramatic sigh that went on for three seconds too long. No one would believe her beautiful sister was anywhere near thirty-four years old, with her flawless porcelain skin and lush jet-black hair.

“Is anything the matter?” Anne asked obligingly.

“What’s taking them so long?” Juliette pouted her glossy pink lips. “I don’t want to be late for my sound bath.”

“They’ll be here soon.” Auntie Sharon picked up her phone and checked her messages. “Coraline texted ten minutes ago to say that they’ll be here in fifteen minutes, so that’s just five more minutes.”

“So her fiancé… Jack?” Her father crossed his long legs at the knees, and Anne folded in on herself, forcing herself to take up less space.

“Joe,” her aunt corrected.

“Yes, thisJoe.” His mouth turned down at the corners as though Jack were a far superior name. “He’s a policeman?”

“No, Hyeongbu.” Her aunt managed to sound patient. “He’s a firefighter. A lieutenant, in fact.”

A firefighter?Anne tensed.No.It had to be a coincidence. How had she not heard of this before? She’d only been back for a couple of months and had been busy settling into her new place, but you would think someone would’ve brought up Joe’s profession before now.

“A lieutenant?Nota captain?” Her father drew back as though he were shocked. He excelled at minimizing the accomplishments of others.

“Being a lieutenant at twenty-six is quite an achievement,” Auntie Sharon said stiffly, her patience running out. She was pretty much immune to the man’s antics at this point, but she considered her children, including her soon-to-be son-in-law, off-limits.

“Wow. Only twenty-six and a lieutenant already?” Anne laid agentle hand on her father’s arm. She needed to run interference, not linger on her own worries. Besides, she shouldn’t jump to conclusions. What are the chances that Joe worked at the same fire department as Frederick? “That’s very impressive. Isn’t it, Appa?”

Her father made a noncommittal noise and reached for his teacup, effectively dislodging her hand. Anne ignored the familiar rush of hurt and humiliation the best she could. Those little slights never failed to wound her, but she had learned not to dwell on them.

He had never been particularly affectionate, but he became impossibly distant after his wife died, especially toward his middle daughter. Perhaps she reminded him too much of his late wife. At least he’d stopped insulting her aunt’s children for the time being. Anne should take that as a win.

The front door rattled, and Coraline announced, “We’re here.”

With happy smiles and exclamations, Anne, Tessa, and Auntie Sharon gathered around the entryway to welcome the beaming couple. And Bethany and Uncle Paul, with his round tummy and ready smile, hurried out of the kitchen to greet Coraline and Joe, leaving behind dinner preparations for a moment.

Much to Anne’s chagrin—but sadly, not to her surprise—Juliette and her father didn’t stir from the sofa. Coraline didn’t seem to notice their rudeness as she hugged Anne and Tessa in turn. Then she turned to the handsome man standing shyly at her side and linked her arm through his.

Coraline and her hourglass curves barely topped five feet, while Joe’s lanky figure towered over her at least a foot taller. Despite their height difference, they somehow complemented each other perfectly, her cousin’s creamy skin contrasting beautifully with her fiancé’s honey-toned complexion.

“This is Joe Alvarez, my fiancé.” Coraline blushed prettily as she introduced him, and he stared down at her with a dreamy smile. “This is Anne, my cousin. And you already know Tessa.”

“Too well,” Joe teased, and Tessa crinkled her nose at him with obvious affection. Then he turned to Anne and stuck out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Anne. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“It’s lovely meeting you as well. I can’t wait for us to chat and get to know each other better.” Anne shook his hand with a warm smile. “Imo, should we head to the living room so he can meet the rest of the family?”

“Of course.” Auntie Sharon huffed a small sigh before leading the way to the living room. To Anne’s relief, her father and her older sister deigned to rise to their feet. “Joe, this is my brother-in-law, Jonathan Lee, and my eldest niece, Juliette.”

Juliette’s face soured at being called theeldest, and her aunt cringed at her faux pas—she hadn’t been trying to tease her. But the damage was done. Juliette gave Joe a stiff little nod and stomped out of the living room.

Anne rubbed her throbbing temples, wondering where her sister had even stormed off to in the small house. Poor Joe turned to his fiancée with bewildered eyes, and she gave him a small shake of her head and patted his arm.

Joe rallied and bowed to Anne’s father, hinging from the waist. Coraline had prepared him well. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee.”

“Please call me Jonathan,” her father said with a suave smile, turning on the charm he reserved for people more deserving than Anne. “I hear you’re a lieutenant with the fire department. That’s quite an accomplishment at such a young age. Very impressive.”

Anne resisted the uncharacteristic urge to roll her eyes. She should be relieved that her father had decided to be on his best behavior. Despite his earlier disdain, he must’ve found Joe to his liking. He always favored good-looking people. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip, caught off guard by her vitriol. Where was all this coming from?

As her father cornered Joe, monopolizing his attention, Uncle Paul and Bethany rushed back to the kitchen to finish cooking dinner. Anne looked toward the kitchen, then to her father. She wanted to help her uncle and cousin with dinner, but she wasn’t comfortable leaving Joe to her father’s whims. His goodwill might sour at the slightest turn.

Just as Anne took a step toward the two men, Coraline excused herself from a conversation with Tessa, then hurried over to her fiancé and plastered herself to his side. Sighing in relief, Anne escaped to the kitchen.

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