Page 78 of Love: Take Two

When she told me she and Awa went out last night, I doubt I hid my longing, nor my frustration when she refused to share any details. I respect her ability to keep a secret, and I actually love that she and Awa are becoming close—hopefully that'll give me a reason to be in Awa's orbit, even if she decides to leave things where they are—but I'm desperate for even a hint of her, something to take the edge off this gruesome week.

"Did someone order flowers?" Kendra asks as she strides into the room. Almostglides, as if she's on a catwalk even when she's not at work. She's carrying two bouquets. One is large—vibrant sunflowers, daisies, and roses overflowing from a yellow ceramic vase. That one she hands to Mom.

"Oh! You shouldn't have, Kendra!" she gushes, burying her nose in the flowers. Kendra shakes her head.

"Well, thank you, Mrs. Park, but I can't take the credit." She gestures to the bouquet. "I think I saw a note."

Mom leafs through the flowers for a card while Kendra takes a seat next to me, surreptitiously sliding the second, much smaller bouquet into my lap and winking. It's light purple lilacs tied with a purple ribbon, and there's a card tucked between two of the buds.

"Does anyone know an Awa?" Mom asks. I jerk my head up and away from the mystery bouquet.

"What about Awa?" I blurt.

"From the look on your face, she must be someone you care a lot about," Cory says with a chuckle. Henry raises an eyebrow.

"I was honestly surprised not to see her here," he whispers. "Considering…"

I wave my hand dismissively, hoping he changes the subject, but Mom's questioning gaze turns knowing.

"Seems like there's a story there," she says with a teasing smile. "Is she a woman you're seeing?"

I fidget in my seat.

"She's a woman I'msort ofseeing, yes," I admit begrudgingly. "And we went to school together."

"You're onlysort ofseeing her, and yet she sends flowers for your mother?" Dad asks with a furrowed brow. Damon's cough sounds suspiciously like a muffled laugh.

"And you couldn't wait to talk to her the last time we spoke," Henry persists, proving, once again, that twin telepathy is a myth. Why else would he force me to hash out my failures with Awa in front of the whole family?

"Yeah, well," I glare. "When I went over totalk, shit hit the fan with Yong-rae—Sorry, Dad," I add hastily, feeling his eyes on me. "She had no choice but to put the brakes on things. The conflict of interest was clear."

"I hate it when they want a break," Cory grumbles, and Denise giggles before planting a kiss on his lips. His shouldersimmediately relax and his mouth tilts up in a smirk; it's how I imagine I look whenever Awa's around. How Ilooked.

"There's alongstory, then," Mom grins. "Anyway, she wishes me a speedy recovery, and there's a gift card for services at Aman Spa."

Damon whistles.

"We haven't even met her, and she's trying to show us up?" he jokes. Mom and Dad both laugh.

"It's not a competition," Mom offers, inhaling her flowers once more. "But if it were," she ponders a moment later, "I've been meaning to get back into pottery."

"Is there anything you'renotgood at, Mrs. Park?" Kendra asks.

"Staying put when she needs to heal," Dad mutters, which makes both Cory and me snort.

Their friendly chatter resumes, Kendra venting about an investor who would not stop talking, when I remember my own bouquet. The one still tucked into my lap. Thankfully, no one else has noticed.Is it also from Awa?

I discreetly open the card.

Dear Noah,

I was so sorry to hear about your mom! I wish you felt like you could've told me, but I understand why you didn't. I hope she's back to full health soon. Your stories about her always made her seem like such a sweet woman.

It's only been a few days (a few days of hell!), but I miss you. I wish I could be there for you.Withyou.

When the dust settles, do you think we could finally give things a real shot?

XX, Awa