Page 47 of Loud Hot Roomie
“…the wedding cake…”
I snap out of my Riko haze and whip my head over to look at Minjun. “What?”
Dad throws up a hand in the air and sighs. “Riko, Riko, Riko. That’s all you care about.”
He acts like he’s mad, but I know both my parents love him too and are pleased I’ve finally found happiness.
“Are you talking about the wedding?” I ask, ignoring Dad’s jabs.
“The women are,” Minjun says as he gestures to our townhouse. “Debbie wants to make the cake, especially since you mentioned it before, but Rose has concerns.”
I groan and shake my head. “Mom has concerns because she’s not used to someone else taking charge of the cooking. Hopefully she lets Debbie do what she wants. Debbie’s an even better cook than Riko and that’s saying something.”
“Your mother did our neighbor’s wedding cake,” Dad reminds me. “Maybe they can do it together.”
Honestly, I don’t care if we order one from the grocery store. All I care about is there is going to be a wedding and our families are just as excited as we are.
It’s so fucking strange to be honest.
Who knew me getting with a man would completely change my life? But it did, and the best part of it all is, somehow, it brought Riko closer to his parents which I know he’s secretly grateful for.
“I tried to put my two cents in, Bill,” Minjun says to my dad. “They told me to leave.”
I smirk with amusement. Minjun, a man who runs his multi-million dollar company with an iron fist, always yields when it comes to his wife and what she wants.
“Are they almost done with the food?” I ask, squinting to see through the sliding glass door where the women are moving around in the kitchen. “Maybe I should go help, or at the very least, referee.”
Minjun takes a long swig of his beer and shakes his head. “That’s what Linda’s for. She’s been playing mediator. We’ll only get in the way.”
Eloise squeals and we all look to see what she’s excited about. I smile when I see a butterfly on top of her head. Slowly, she walks toward us.
“Derek, take a picture! Hurry!”
I pull out my phone and take a picture. Dad and Minjun gush over her new little friend. My father regales her about what type of butterfly it is and far too many unnecessary facts about it.
“They have a butterfly exhibit not far from where my work is,” Minjun tells Eloise. “Riko can bring you up one day and we can go check it out together.”
Eloise nods happily and then watches with a big grin on her face when it flies away. Both Dad and Minjun look at her proudly, as if she did something praiseworthy.
Riko, heaving from exertion from playing with the kids, drops down into my lap. With his weight, we nearly capsize. I hug him to me, inhaling his sweaty scent.
“Our moms are fighting about the cake,” I tell him, nuzzling his shoulder. “Our dads are staying out of it.”
Riko laughs. “Maybe I should tell them our favorite bakery is going to make it instead.”
“Don’t do that,” Dad and Minjun both say at once.
“Boring,” Riko grumbles playfully. “I’m fucking starving. When will the food be done.”
“Language,” Minjun chides and then shrugs. “It’ll be done when it gets done. We are to stay out of the way and entertain the kiddos.”
Eloise is doing cartwheels and Topher is trying to catch a frog. They’re entertaining themselves. But I get it. We won’t get in trouble out here.
“I should go check on my pie,” Riko says as he attempts to move.
“Your mom will make sure it doesn’t burn.” I tighten my grip around him. “You’re good right here. Stay.”
He relaxes against me. Dad winks at me and Minjun flashes a warm smile at us.
