Page 71 of Just Another Meet Cute
And Ian …
Still silent, he practically jumped across the table to get away from us. His cheeks were burning red now as he turned back to the wall. His Adam’s apple bounced up and down. I had a feeling that he was struggling to not look at me. Or maybe I just wished that he would. Even a tiny glance. Everyone else in the room was looking at me except him.
I answered Báthe only way I could honestly. “We’re just all … we’re all friends, Ba. Ian, Ryan, and me.”
With her brows furrowed together like Ryan, Báopened her mouth again, and I braced myself for the interrogation just as Linh jumped in. “And me! I know I’m your cousin, but I’m everyone’s friend, too. Most of the time, as long as you don’t bother me before breakfast.”
Báfinally turned to Linh. “What’s your name, con?”
“Linh.” She looped her arm through Bá’s like they were the best of friends and picked up a spoon. “So how much fish sauce do you need for all this? And where do you even buy a bucket of fish sauce that big?”
Once she steered their grandma out of the way, I concentrated on wiping down and scrubbing all the water I had spat out on the table until it was sparkling clean.
With a tight smile, Ryan waved me away. “This part is pretty nasty. Ian and I can handle the food processors since we already know how. Why don’t you go help Báand Linh with the measuring and mixing?”
“Oh. Okay.”
As much as I liked their grandma, I was reluctant to help her after she kept putting me in the spotlight. Thankfully, once everything was prepped and ready, the food processors were so loud that Bácouldn’t ask me any more questions even if she wanted to. None of us could talk at all. Although that didn’t stop the twins from giving each other looks like they were having their own silent conversation.
Wishing I could know what they were saying, I turned to Linh and leaned in close. “Took you long enough to save me, but thanks.”
“Yeah, just wait until we get home.” She gave me a slow smile that made goose bumps tingle up and down my arms. Especially when she squeezed my hand. “You won’t be thanking me then.”
Oh no. I was in trouble now.
Two unread texts. One from Ryan and the other from Ian.
I glanced over at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, but I couldn’t bring myself to read the messages. Or even open them. Not because of what they would say, but because I didn’t know whose text I should read first. Who I would answer first.
It seemed like such a simple thing, but right now it felt like the hardest thing in the world to decide. I don’t know why it was so important, but it was.
“I don’t think I’ll ever eat pork again.” Linh sniffed her fingers and grimaced.
“Seriously, same here.”
“Okay, tell me the truth. Between Ryan and Ian, who is the better kisser?” she asked as she pulled a giant T-shirt over her head. Her fingers yanked the hem down until it fell around her knees. The shirt had a giant smiley face on the front that was identical to the one on her face.
Startled, I almost spat out the toothpaste all over the bathroom counter. “What are you talking about? I haven’t kissed Ian yet!”
Hearing the wordyet, she pounced on it like a lion spotting its prey. “But you want to, don’t you? I can tell that you like both of them.”
“I don’t.” But even I could hear that the words sounded unconvincing. Like something was caught in my throat. I waved my foamy toothbrush at her like a sword. “Seriously, I don’t! That’s just crazy.”
“Okay, fine.” She shrugged delicately as she pulled the towel off her head. Her damp hair fell over her shoulders in a tangled mess. “I was going to suggest making a list to help figure out who’s better for you. But if you’re not interested …”
“I’m not.”
Staying silent, Linh gave me a tiny smile as she brushed her hair. Slowly and meticulously, as though getting every little tangle and bump out was the most important thing in the world to her right now.
Finally, after I finished brushing and rinsed out my mouth, I turned toward her. “But if Ididmake a list, I wonder who would be in the lead?”
That was all the encouragement she needed. Tossing aside the hairbrush with such force that it should have left a dent in the wall, Linh rummaged through one of the drawers. She pulled out a box of cotton swabs. “There’s no use in wondering. Let’s find out!”
“What are those for?”
“We have to keep points somehow.” She laid them out on the counter in front of us and patted on either side of the sink. “Ryan’s side will be in front of you, and Ian’s side will be in front of me.”
“Okay.” I picked up a cotton swab and placed it in front of me. “Ryan issuper sweet. And I guess they both get a point for being handsome. Can’t say one is cuter than the other since they’re twins.”
