Page 146 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
“Okay, yes, I will,” she says. “No, I wasn’t going to but I’ll come home and apologize to Baachan.”
She hangs up, chin trembling. “I don’t understand what happened but I’ve messed up really bad.”
“Tell me, baby.”
“Jun says the caterers called. They went to set up for Baachan’s party and the venue told them the party wasn’t until Saturday. I made the reservation and I’m sure I got the date right and I checked it but he says I got it wrong.” Her voice breaks and tears slide down her cheeks.
“Come on. Come with me.” I take her hand and lead her away from the table to the bathroom, holding up my free hand with my fingers spread so the waiter knows we’ll be back in five as we pass him.
Thankfully, the three bathrooms are unisex and clean. I lock the door behind us and draw Cynnie into my arms.
She puts her hands over her face and rests her forehead against my chest. Her shoulders shake and she begins to sniffle, then little, broken sobs eek out of her. I stroke her back and let her cry.
When her wet noises fade back to a sniffle, I lift her chin and wipe the wetness off her cheeks. She presses the back of her hand to her nose and I grab some tissue paper and help her blow her nose. After wiping her cheeks and rinsing off myhands, I kiss her on her forehead. “Everyone makes mistakes, my bumble.”
“I can’t believe I messed up so big. I double-checked, Oppa. I promise I did.”
“I believe you, baby. Sometimes things just get mixed up. Can it be fixed?”
She nods. “Jun says he’s already done everything. Paid the caterers and entertainers extra to come back on Saturday, called everyone to tell them there’s been a mix up. He blamed me, so now everyone thinks it’s all my fault?—”
What a fucking asshole. I rub her shoulders and kiss her forehead. “That was mean and wrong of him, baby. I’m sorry he did that and if you want me to come home with you while you speak to him and apologize to your grandmother, I’d be happy to.”
“You do that for me?”
I hug her tightly. “Of course, I would.”
“I know you’z can’t come to the gala with me now?—”
“What do you mean, baby?”
“Same night as Logan and Emily’s party.”
I don’t hesitate. My bumble needs her Oppa. Of all people, Logan will understand.
“Baby, I absolutely will come with you. I wouldn’t miss meeting your family. I know how important they are to you. I know how important your grandmother’s party is to you.”
“But Logan’s your best friend. I know he wants you there. And Emmy, what am I going to tell Emmy? She’ll be so disappointed. We planned all her outfits and I won’t even be there?—”
“Cynnie, baby, they will understand. No one will be angry at you. It’s a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. Yes, they’ll be sorry we’re not there, and we’ll be sorry to miss the fun. But itwon’t ruin their weekend and it won’t ruin ours, right? Not if we don’t let it.”
Her eyes fill again. “Jun said I’d ruined everything.”
“Your brother’s an asshole. I’m sorry to speak badly of your family, but it’s true. You haven’t ruined anything. It’s a minor inconvenience, and it’s probably not even your fault. It doesn’t matter either way. What matters is that your grandmother’s party is still going to happen, right?”
She nods.
I run my thumbs gently under her eyes to clear away the tears. “Then no harm done. Nothing’s ruined. Let’s enjoy dinner and then we’ll go home. I have a big surprise for you. Tomorrow, if you want me to support you when you talk to your brother and grandmother, I will.”
She throws her arms around my ribs and hugs me fiercely. “Thank you, Oppa.”
I kiss the top of her head and stroke the long, silky fall of her hair. “Anything for you, baby. I hate seeing you sad. You should always be my happy bee.”
“You make me happy, Oppa. Haven’t ever been as happy as I am with you.”
My chest blooms with more than the heat of her body pressed to mine. She seems happy with me, but she doesn’t say it often. Maybe this is another point of communication we have to work on, because I really like hearing the words.
I expect Cynnie to be excited about her “hive.” I don’t quite expect her to burst into tears.
