10. A Peek Into His Past

-Talu-

I lounge on the sofa, healed enough to haul myself out of bed. Today, Jian keeps me company. He's twitchy, not at all his usual calm self. After asking after Mei and Aline, and pacing the length of the small living room at least six times, Jian finally settles in the armchair kitty-corner to the sofa. We both pretend to watch the Giants vs. Mariners baseball game.

The distracting thrum of his fingers on the chair's upholstered arm forces me to break the heavy silence.

"So, bro," I say, attempting a casual but cautious air. "Want to tell me about her?"

"A girl?" He feigns rapt interest in a Geico commercial. Stupid talking lizard.

"Just a wild guess. Seeing as you can’t look at me, you’re thinking about a girl, right?"

It’s impossible to keep from grinning. I know poking at Jian might make him angry, but teasing him is irresistible. He shoots me a dark, annoyed look after I suggestively move my eyebrows up and down and g