Chapter 03.3

“Last year, after you called her and yelled loud enough for half the house to hear,” Paul began, “she said if you were going to be such a jerk and accuse her like that, she’d give you a reason. That’s when she started dating. But after three different dates, she said you weren’t worth it, she wasn’t going to play your ego games, and she’d rather get cats.” I laughed.

“Were the dates that bad?” I asked. Paul just nodded.

“The first guy asked her right away whose place they’d go to after dinner. She came home after the soup,” Paul said. “Another one ordered duck for her—because he was ‘the man.’ “

“She hates duck,” I laughed.

“Exactly. So she sent it back and ordered something else. That one ended quickly too.”

There was one date that lasted quite a while,” Jessica said, clearly just to get under my skin.

“Yeah, that one did go on for a while,” Paul smiled, “but only because the guy was late and didn’t know what to order.”

“And this year?” I asked cautiously.

“A few weeks ago, Adam needed a multilingual interpreter, and Jane was perfect for the job,” Brian explained. “So he took her along to a business dinner, and there, a French guy noticed her. He asked her out a few weeks later, and Jane went to dinner with him. I think he’ll be at the wedding tomorrow too.”

“Are they dating?” I asked carefully.

“No,” Paul said. “The guy studies abroad, and Jane definitely doesn’t want a long-distance relationship. But she did say it was her best date so far.” He glanced at Brian.

“I see,” I sighed. “I don’t have anyone. I just can’t get a moment alone with her to explain that.”

“You had New Year’s,” Jessica muttered.

“Okay, I get it,” I snapped. “I know I messed up. All of this,” I said angrily. “But don’t fight each other because of me—just help me fix it.”

“Listen,” Mayoko said with a smile, “we’ll convince her to come on the summer trip. You just make sure you fix what you broke.”

“Thanks.” I said. “I’ve got a lot to make up for—and looking at the competition, I don’t have much time.”

—

The next morning, I woke up in time for the ceremony and got myself ready.

“Wear this, bro,” Amber said as she walked in and handed me an unusual orange shirt.

“Amber,” I said, ”I prefer more masculine colors. And I’m just a guest.”

“Suit yourself. Then go with the blue one,” she said, taking the orange shirt back and pulling my formal shirt from the closet.

“Amber,” I asked cautiously, ”what do you know about the French guy?”

“You heard about him?” Amber smiled. ”How much did you hear?”

“Let’s say nothing,” I replied.

“He asked Jane out, yes. She said yes mostly because of Adam—she didn’t want to risk causing him any trouble. But I don’t think there’ll be a second date.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because he’s not you,” she said, and walked out of my room.

Whatever she meant by that—it felt good to hear.

The three of us got ready and headed to Milton Park. Mom had been there since the morning. Milton was a friendly event park with a lake, a restaurant, and a playground. It had recently become a popular wedding venue.

The benches usually set out for Dad’s birthday or weekday visits were gone. In the center of the park stood a decorated garden pavilion for the ceremony. Staff were arranging chairs on either side of the pavilion under Mom’s direction, so guests would have a side view of the couple.

At the restaurant entrance, waiters served drinks, cookies, and fruit. I peeked inside—the restaurant was already decorated. The balloons and ornaments were in the orange shade my sister had suggested that morning.

The crowd was starting to gather when I spotted Brian and the others.

“Will there be a lot of people?” I asked Brian.

“Dr. Cox’s reputation demands a crowd. Tons of clients and colleagues will be here,” Brian replied.