Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune(34)

Before I could countermove, he placed his hand over mine. The warmth of his touch sent blood rushing to my cheeks. He squeezed before letting go.

“I know what I like.” Daniel’s brows narrowed. A hardness entered into his features, and it caught me by surprise. “I love your food and if you continue to cook, I’ll keep following its aroma every morning. Your dumplings are exciting—there isn’t anything in the city that compares to them. It’s only a matter of time before the foodie intelligentsia get a whiff of this place. We’ll see then how much you’ll charge to turn people away at the door.”

My mother had once compared compliments to birds: if you don’t chase after them, they come on their own. “Thank you,” I repeated. “You seem to have grander dreams about my restaurant than I do. I need to cook you something different sometime so you can see the range of my skills.”

He tapped the hundred-dollar bill on the counter and winked. “That would be great. Good old American capitalism is your friend. So, uh . . . are you seeing anyone?”

I bit my lower lip. “No. I just moved back because my mother passed away.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” He lowered his head. “It must be why you’re always wearing white. I should have known.”

He’d noticed what I wore? “Thank you. I miss her every day.”

We stared at each other and he smiled. It was a simple gesture, so earnest in its essence that I couldn’t help but return it. His dark eyes were molten underneath the thick glasses, the shade hovering between dark and milk chocolate.

I stared, losing myself in the fond memories of chocolates in their paper shells at Christmas, in the surprise and discovery of the filling inside, the strong, earthy scent of cacao, and the taste of the trinity—the over-the-top sweetness of the white chocolate, the smooth finish of milk, and the bitterness of the dark.

Daniel stared back at me, but at last, he looked away. “I think I need one more day.”

“One more day?”

“To get the courage to ask you out. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

With those last words, Daniel slipped his earbuds in, retrieved his messenger bag, and hummed a lively jazz tune as he walked out the door.

Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

Yes, I was smitten.

And what would I cook for him tomorrow? Something interesting and new. My initial fascination had transformed into something I didn’t want to identify. The attraction was strengthened even further by his passion for my dishes. He believed in me, and since I had lost my greatest champion in Ma-ma, I couldn’t find a stronger aphrodisiac in the world. Tomorrow, I resolved to say yes and see where this would lead.

In the meantime, I needed to follow up with Older Shen and the Chius. If their situation was anything like what had happened with Celia, I should be in for a delightful surprise.





Chapter Twelve





Two days had passed since I cooked for Older Shen and the Chius. I hoped it wouldn’t be too obvious to spy on them now. I headed out of the restaurant’s kitchen, grabbing my purse on the way.

Right in front of the convenience store, Mr. and Mrs. Chiu were tangled together like two horny teenagers in a closet. From this angle, I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. They weren’t even coming up for air. Every few seconds, the missus kept trying and failing to launch her legs around her husband’s waist. When Mr. Chiu’s wandering hands traveled to cup his wife’s buttocks to assist her, I decided it was time to duck back inside. I covered my mouth to smother a giggle.

The only difference between the Chius and the drawings in the Kama Sutra was that the former was clothed. Despite the secondhand embarrassment, I was grinning.

It had worked!

The gastronomical chemistry of Laolao’s recipes that had once helped her community was now helping the neighbors through my hands. All of those people had come to the restaurant once, seeking aid and comfort, and Laolao had been able to help them. Here was the incontrovertible proof that I had helped. The last time I saw the Chius, they’d been arguing, and the passion seemed burnt out of their marriage. This was certainly an improvement.

Of course, I hadn’t checked on Older Shen yet, but if Celia’s luck changing and the Chius’ romantic rekindling were any indication, the recipes were working. I was much closer to opening the restaurant and ensuring its success.

I still had to file the paperwork and look into whether the building needed to be inspected. After I addressed the technicalities, I should plan the grand opening, and it would only be fitting if it was marked by a huge feast with multiple courses. I wanted to invite all the neighbors and Daniel. But first I needed to see how Shen was doing, to make sure I truly had helped all three.

My phone buzzed in my purse. I fished it out and discovered a text from Celia.

    Guang popped out of his herbal store and helped me pry Anita and Wayne apart so they wouldn’t be arrested for indecent exposure. Did you see them?



I grinned and typed back.

    Yes. What are you doing for dinner? I want to cook you something that’s different from last night. I need your help with an idea I’m planning for the restaurant.



Celia wrote:

    It’s a date. Drop by after the shop closes at six. I have news. We have much to talk about.