Page 21 of Show Off

The knife clatters from my hand.Goddammit.

I look up to see him grinning like a jackass. “Lana had a hickey?”

“No.” He grins. “But the fact that shecould havegave her away. That’s what Lauren said, anyway.” He watches me grate cheese onto thick slices of brioche. The pears go on top with a drizzle of honey and another slice of bread.

“And judging by your face,” he continues, like I’m not ignoring him, “Lauren wasn’t wrong. Youdidkiss Lana.”

I decide no reply is my best option, since discussing this like a sane human isn’t getting me anywhere. That lasts for all of one minute.

“I think it’s great,” he says. “At least I won’t be the only Yang brother with a hot girlfriend.”

A growl slips out before I can stop it. “You’ve met Rosa Patotwice.”

“Three times,” he fires back, wheeling around to face me. “And we’ve been chatting online for a year. She’s amazing.”

He’s not wrong there. Rosa Pato is a legend. The daughter of a Guatemalan lawyer and a Haitian supermodel, she’s as beautiful as she is smart. My brother’s a lucky man.

Rosa’s also a fierce activist for the disabled community, ever since losing her brother four years ago. She and Ji-Hoon met at a fundraiser last year and kept in touch.

I’m happy for my brother.I am.

But I’m also guarded.

“Are you and Rosa meeting up in person again?”

“Yep.” He grins and starts setting the table. “We’re talking about getting together right here in Oregon.”

“She’s traveling to visit you?” This does sound serious.

“I guess I’m just that irresistible.” He’s not wrong there.

“Be careful.”

“You worried I’ll knock her up?”

For fuck’s sake. “Just—” Hell, I don’t know what I’m saying. “Wash your hands. Lunch is almost ready.”

Ji-Hoon salutes me, though I notice he’s using one finger. Not a nice one, either.

I slide the sandwiches into the hot skillet and finish off the salads. By the time my brother rolls back down the hall, I’m slinging our plates on the table. I nudge a bowl toward him. “There’s the fucking ginger chutney you like.”

“That should be our next marketing tagline.” He spreads a napkin in his lap. “It’ll go great with your last one—‘Fuck you, I’m not picking out the pistachios.’”

“Eat while it’s still hot.” I bite into my sandwich, enjoying the marriage of salty and sweet. Our uncle Korain taught me to make this. Ji-Hoon and I would clamber at the counter, begging in Korean for him to let us split one more. Dad dipped his in Yang’s Spicy Sauce, because of course he did.

Back then, our parents were alive.

Back then, my brother’s legs worked.

Back then, I hadn’t fucked up his life.

“Hey.” Ji-Hoon sets down his sandwich. “I know what I’m doing with Rosa.”

“I know you do.”

“And I’m just messing with you about Lana.”

“I know.”

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