I’m about to ask when he’s ever put his life on the line for someone else when Ruby comes out and grabs my arm.
“Drew! Ma needs our help in the kitchen.” I sometimes think my best friend has a sixth sense for when I’m about to go off.
“Sure.” My smile is tight, teeth clenched.
We push through the door, and she lets out a nervous giggle. “That was close.”
“Why did you invite Ralph Stern again?” I do some deep breathing as I lean against the ceramic counter.
“Mom feels sorry for him. She says he didn’t have enough friends growing up.”
“We had our reasons.”
Voices rise in the other room, and my insides jump. I’ve been wired and edgy since I walked in the door. What will I do when I see him again?
“Ralph is a nice boy.” Mrs. Banks pats me on the arm to move.
“If you say so, Mrs. B.”
She lifts the lid on a bamboo steamer. “Good.”
I watch as she turns the dumplings over quickly, and my mouth waters. Ruby’s mom is one of the best cooks in town, and I’ve been living on takeout for weeks.
“Maybe you should go out with Ralph.” I elbow my friend in the waist. “He’s not Asian, but if that almond deal works out, it could revolutionize the town.” I imitate his voice.
“Do not even say it. You are evil.” My best friend scowls at me. “Anyway, I don’t date men that inexperienced.”
“You could coach him in the ways of love. Be his naughty nanny.”
“Ew.” But then she pauses. “Hang on, that gives me an idea. Maybe I could be a nanny…”
“You know nothing about kids.”
Her eyes narrow. “I have a master’s degree in psychology.”
“And zero experience.”
“How hard can it be? I was a kid once. And I could use the extra money.”
“Oh, this sounds like a great idea.” I tease, lifting my mug for another sip of cider.
My shaking hand gives me away, and she grabs my arm, dragging me to the opposite side of the room, away from her mother.
“How are you doing?” She glances over my shoulder before turning to the side and whipping out a flask. “Here… liquid courage.”
She pours half the flask into my cup. “Stop,” I hiss. “I can’t be drunk.”
“Don’t slug it. Just sip it.”
Ruby’s mom comes up behind us. “Girls! Help me plate the food!”
I yelp and jump a foot in the air, and Ruby pinches my arm. She grabs a platter of dumplings and one of Kimchi. I take a long sip of straight whiskey then grab a platter of rolls and a cheese board, complete with more traditional meats.
When we enter the room, I almost drop both. Gray stands in the foyer looking like he stepped out of a GQ magazine. He’s wearing black jeans and a gray tee with a plaid shirt unbuttoned on top. His dark hair flops to one side on his forehead the way it always has, and when his eyes meet mine, my stomach plunges to the floor.
I swallow the knot in my throat. I’m not sure I can move.
“Grayson!” Mrs. Banks crosses the room to hug him. “Welcome home, our hero. I prayed for you every day you were gone. Jesus and the Buddha brought you back to us safely.”