Page 30 of Cinematic Destinies
“Don’t be silly. You were a powerhouse removing the old tiles. I should have known you’d be a badass with a ball-peen hammer and chisel. And it’s a crime that someone can look so cute in safety goggles, not dorky like me.” She giggled and he redirected his focus to the floor. “The surface is almost clean and ready. I think we should watch that YouTube video one more time before we attach the backer board and start installing the new tiles.”
“We’ve seen it about a thousand times,” she said with a laugh.
He turned to face her. “Since when are you against overpreparation? I remember when you had your first surgical procedure. You were in the skills lab all night. You stayed for hours even after you had perfected it.”
“Yeah, well no one is going to be seriously harmed if the bathroom floor isn’t tiled perfectly.”
“Not true. My ego will never recover,” he countered.
Betty laughed.
“Seriously, I just don’t want to screw up your apartment. I know how careful you are. I’m sure you thought about this renovation for a long time before pulling the trigger. You spent ages selecting the tiles. The least I can do is try to make sure it comes out right. Give me a little while to finish prepping, and then we can watch the video. I promise, just one last time. Two tops.”
“Okay. But after we install the tiles, let’s order food. Clearly, I owe you dinner. You pick the cuisine.”
“Sounds good.”
Five hours later, they were sitting on Betty’s couch opening Chinese takeout containers.
“Thank goodness we live in New York where you can get anything delivered anytime you want it,” Betty remarked. “I can’t believe how long that took.”
“It’s my fault. I wanted to make sure it was perfect.”
“Well, it looks amazing. Huge upgrade. I just love the black and white. It’s art deco and very New York.”
Khalil smiled. “I’ll come back tomorrow to help you add the grout and caulk.”
“Oh, you don’t have to. I already feel bad that I co-opted your Saturday for manual labor.”
“Don’t be silly. When I commit to something, I’m all in. Besides, I spend all my free time with you. What else am I going to do?”
“Thank you,” she said softly, suddenly finding herself lingering on his chestnut-colored eyes.
“You’re so welcome,” he replied sweetly, staring back at her. In a barely audible voice, he said, “Betty, you . . .”
“Gee, I’m rattling on when you must be famished. Youhaven’t eaten anything since I tossed you that PowerBar hours ago. Please, help yourself,” she said, gesturing at the takeout containers on the coffee table. “There are paper plates and chopsticks in that bag.”
Betty uncorked a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses. “Cheers,” she said, clinking her glass to his. “To my lifesaver.”
“Cheers.”
They each took some food and began eating.
“Holy cow,” Khalil muttered. “I had no idea Chinese food could be so spicy.”
“When you suggested Chinese, you said to get whatever. Those are a couple of my favorites: Szechuan chicken and hot and sour glass noodles. Is it too spicy?”
“Nah, it’s okay,” he gasped, chugging his bottled water.
“There’s plain rice in that container,” she said, gesturing. “That will help absorb the spice. Those veggies are steamed plain too, and the dumplings should be pretty mild if you don’t like the heat.”
“I just never knew Chinese food could be this spicy. It’s even hotter than that five-alarm Thai food you brought us that time. My family always ordered lemon chicken and lo mein.”
“Yeah, most people in this country are used to American Chinese food, which is often smothered in sweet sauces,” Betty said. “My dad did a movie that filmed in China one summer when I was in high school, so we lived there for a couple months. I loved the food, especially from regions where they make things hot. My mom and sister both love spicy food, so we’d sort of challenge each other. Guess I got used to it. I was so excited when I moved to New York and was finally able to find those dishes again, done the authentic way.”
“Did you always want to live in New York?” he asked.
“I applied to programs in Boston and New York. I guess I wanted to be somewhere . . .”—she paused as if searching for the right word—“serious. I wanted to be somewhere serious. Growing up in LA was great in a lot of ways, but there’s a superficiality you can’t escape, and a sort of carefree, whimsical attitude. It works for my family. My mom is totally boho. My dad and Georgia are actors. Albert’s an artist and super low-key.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to come off sounding like a jerk. It’s just so different from who I am. I like my feet planted firmly on the ground. I thought by coming to the Northeast I’d meet more people like me. And I have. I met you.” Khalil smiled and she added, “New York has always been my favorite city, so when I was accepted it was a no-brainer.”
