Page 62 of Semi Sweet
I cursed. I wouldn’t wish a thing like that on anyone, but Sean had been so kind to me. Now the somewhat hard exterior when I first met him made sense. Well, almost. Despite what Katie had done to him, he had done everything with the cupcakes and told me he would care for me better than Evan could. It surprised me. Most men would have been wary after an experience like that.
“That happened and we still kissed before I broke up with Evan?” I felt bad for questioning it.
Sean groaned. “I know, Olivia, I am a gigantic hypocrite. I’m no better than the other man.” He turned to face me, taking his eyes off the road for a minute. “I wasn’t a self-centered, emotionally abusive asshole,” he attempted to reason. “I don’t think so, at least.”
“I doubt that,” I assured, offering him the bag of gummy worms.
“No more heavy topics, please,” he pleaded. “We’re half an hour away from my parents’ place and my mom has this therapist's sixth sense when people have been upset about something.”
I thought that was probably a good idea. I tried to make the conversation lighter. “Is your old room still set up?”
“Hell, no.” His voice was serious, but I was happy to see there was a smirk on his face again.
***
We made it to the Mizuno residence shortly after nine o’clock. I felt foolish for staring, but the home looked like something out of a trendy real estate magazine. With a backdrop of the mountains behind it, the place was both rustic with a log cabin style facade and modern with large windows shining in the darkness. I thought of where I’d grown up and Evan’s parents' home. Both had been nice in their own way, but not like this.
“Why would you ever want to leave this town?” I asked as I got out of the car.
“If you think this is good, I’ll have to take you by my old place. I think the view is even better.”
I was surprised when he placed a cellophane-wrapped bottle of liquor in my hands. It was a Japanese brand of wine. “What’s this for?”
“My parents follow some Japanese customs. It will make a good impression, trust me.”
Sean had a Cash Value Market bakery box in his own hands as we began to walk towards the front door. We made it a few steps before someone opened the door and a middle-aged man walked out into the night. He had a kind face and his smile stretched from ear to ear as he took in his son approaching him.
“Sean-kun,” he said and crushed Sean with a hug despite having to reach up to throw his arm around his shoulder. “I hope the drive wasn’t too hard.”
“It was okay, Papa,” Sean replied.
My heart wanted to burst. Not only was the exchange endearing, it made me wish things with my own father were better.
“Are they here, Akira?” a voice called from within.
“Yes, love,” Sean’s father replied before his eyes fell on me. “Hello there.”
I bowed my head and hoped I wouldn’t offend him as I said, “Konbanwa, Mizuno-san.”
Mr. Mizuno looked thoroughly impressed before turning his sights back on Sean. “Did you coach her on the way here?”
“Nah, she’s kind of an otaku when it comes to Japanese stuff.”
I pretended to be offended. “I totally know what that means.” I handed Sean’s father the wine. “But he’s right.”
“Well, welcome,” he said brightly. “A friend of Sean’s is a friend of ours.”
He guided us into the house and I took in the stylish home as I removed my shoes. Sean was explaining that he’d brought an assortment of cupcakes from work and I wondered if there were any I hadn’t tried yet when a small woman appeared in the hallway.
“You must be Olivia!” she said warmly, sweeping in and guiding me towards the living room.
As she sat me down in front of plates of finger foods, she called out in Japanese and Mr. Mizuno replied before it sounded like the door opened again.
“I’m excited to finally meet you,” she said, turning her attention to me again.
I smiled at her. “Thank you for allowing me to stay in your home.”
I was debating telling Mrs. Mizuno what led me to this situation when Sean and his father came in with bags and a very happy Bear. The dog wagged his tail with his whole body, like he recognized the place after being away for a long time. His master also seemed visibly relaxed as he plopped himself on the floor in front of the coffee table and reached for the bottle of wine we’d brought as a housewarming gift. His father sat on the couch opposite to me and his mother had returned from the kitchen with four glasses and placed them in front of Sean.
