Page 11 of Single Teddy
“Oh. I…I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.”
Autumn pouted. “That’s a shame. I love a good gossip. Anyway, yeah, my brother is Parker. He came here last year, and he’s now in a relationship with the owner of this establishment, a.k.a., your new boss. His name is Hwan.”
“Parker? Parker Hawkins? You’re his sister?”
“I see you catch on quick,” she said with a chuckle.
“Hey! Give me a break. The last few weeks have been a mess.”
Autumn opened her mouth but closed it before she said anything. Instead, she dropped her shoulders, took a couple of steps, and put her hands on my arms.
“I know. I’m sorry. I…I didn’t mean to be insensitive. You’ve been through hell. I just thought talking crap would take your mind offthatcan of worms.” It was the most serious she’d been all morning, and I hated the fact that I’d made her feel bad for being flamboyant and vivacious.
I sighed and unfolded my arms so I could hold hers.
“Don’t worry. You weren’t being insensitive.”
She took a deep breath and smiled in relief.
“Oh good. I’m glad you think so. Now come. Let’s get you a sweet tea of sunshine with a whole lot of boba.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant as I’d never heard that expression, but I followed her inside through a narrow hallway and a door that led to the back bar of the bubble tea shop, where a young Asian man with bright-pink hair and a bright-pink uniform was standing with a huge smile.
“Hi! You must be Teddy!” he said. He approached with open hands, and just before he hugged me, asked if it was okay. “I’m Hwan. It’s so nice to meet you. Parker has told me all about you since we found out about…your situation. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He let go of me, and I smiled.
“Come on, grab a seat. Do you like bubble tea? If you don’t yet, don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll find the right fit for you. Would you like a coffee? A panini? Some chapssaltteok? If you’ve tried mochi it’s very similar.”
“And breathe!” Autumn said behind me, pointing at Hwan.
Hwan chuckled and apologized, although I wasn’t exactly sure why.
“Please, take a seat anywhere,” he said.
Autumn came out from the bar and grabbed a table by the window, which had a direct view of the bright-blue Atlantic Ocean. I followed and sat next to her while Hwan served acustomer and then joined us, bringing glasses of water and a plate of chapssaltteok with him.
“So, Teddy,” he asked, and I braced myself for the hard questions, like what’s your experience and what was your last job. “How are you adjusting to Mayberry Holm? We wanted to drop by yesterday, but it got a bit late, and we didn’t want to disturb you and Bear’s bedtime.”
“Oh. I…yeah, so far so good. The island’s beautiful,” I said.
“How’s Bear? I can’t wait to meet him. Parker and I decided to have kids of our own, although I don’t see that happening while all this bullcrap is going on here, but we’re looking for any excuse to be around them.”
“Bullcrap?” I asked, my eyes narrowing in confusion. “What bullcrap?”
“Oh. Didn’t Wyatt tell you?” Hwan bit his lip and grimaced.
“Tell me what?”
Autumn leaned forward on the table and gave an uncomfortable chuckle.
“Anyway. That’s not important right now. When can Teddy start?”
“Is there something I should know?” I asked Hwan.
“I think it’s better if you talk with Parker. It’s not Wyatt’s fault if he didn’t tell you. He didn’t want to get you involved in his mess, but then again, he also didn’t want to leave you to fend for yourself and Bear.”
“What mess?” I sat up in my chair, anxiety crawling up my chest and neck all the way to my head.
