One of Those Faces (13)

“No. I’ve been avoiding her so I can get my work done. She’s similar to a golden retriever.”

He finally smiled. “Well, the date went fine, I guess. I ran into them near campus this weekend.”

I wasn’t shocked. Erin usually played around with one guy for at least a month before moving on. She reminded me of Woodstock with that rabbit’s foot the other night. Maybe she was more like a cat than a retriever. “That’s good, right?”

Iann looked down for a second. “Yeah. Jeremy’s . . . fine.” He shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter,” I offered. I had already figured as much. Jeremy seemed like a meathead. “They’ll both be sick of each other by next weekend, I’m sure.”

“You’re pretty cynical, aren’t you?”

Yes, and tired. I merely responded with a nod.

His eyes continued to survey me. “What kind of work have you been doing from home?” he asked.

“I’ve been working on an illustration project for a children’s book.”

His eyes got bigger. “When do I get to finally see some of your work?” It was definitely maybe genuine interest.

“You already saw my mustache guy and my painting from the class.”

He laughed, one of those full chest laughs that requires your head to tilt back so it can properly erupt. “That’s right, the mustache guy. Do you still have that?”

“Yeah, it’s lying around somewhere.”

He was still grinning and looked across the table at me. “I could use a real break from all this work,” he said, gesturing to the pile of papers. “Do you want to grab some dinner?”

My feet stiffened, ready to bolt. “I’m really behind on that project. I should get back.” I eyed the door and clutched my coffee cup.

He looked down at the table. “Okay, well, it was nice to see you. Good luck with your project.” Without gazing up again, he reopened his book and spread out his papers on the table in front of him.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, getting to my feet. “Bye.”

Once I had my hand on the door, I turned around to look at Iann’s profile as he flipped through his book. What was I so eager to get back to? There was definitely no hope for a restful night with this seventh cup of coffee. I couldn’t go back to the apartment alone with my thoughts. Not now.

I paused, ready to push out to the street before turning on my heel, a strange determination in my step.

“You know what?” I said once I was back by Iann’s side, my heart racing. “Dinner sounds great.”





CHAPTER SIX


“What changed your mind?” Iann asked. The train was packed, so we both stood facing each other and grasping the overhead handles. We’d decided on a Korean barbecue place near Logan Square that Iann knew about. Wary of getting into a car with a stranger, I’d suggested we take the train.

“What?”

He glanced down at his feet and shuffled away from the person beside him before meeting my eyes. “Well, you shot me down so many times already.” He laughed. “What changed your mind?”

“I don’t know.”

Once we got off at our stop and started down the sidewalk, I had an answer. It wasn’t the real answer. But it was true and it was an answer. “I was just hungry, I guess. I’ve been mostly living off of coffee alone the past few days.”

Our shoulders touched as we made way for a couple passing on the sidewalk.

He nodded. “You seem like you take your work really seriously.”

Work is all there is. There’s nothing else. No one else. “Doesn’t everyone?”

Iann shrugged, not catching my biting tone. “No, I mean I take my work seriously, too, but it must be hard for you to balance your work since you have to manage everything yourself.”

My hackles eased back down.

“Especially if it’s something where you bring your work home all the time, like you and me,” he continued. “Do you have any hobbies?”

“I guess drawing is my hobby,” I answered after a moment. The smell of grilled meat and sesame reached me, and my stomach rumbled. We were getting close.

“See, but it’s also your work,” he said. “You should try to find something that’s totally different from your work to take your mind off everything.”

“Okay, so what’s your hobby?”

“I like to go running.” I must’ve made a face, because he laughed and continued, “I’m not good at it, but I enjoy it.” I appreciated this attempt at humility.

“So, you’re a health nut?” I asked.

“No.” He grinned. “I eat terribly, and then I run. It’s very cathartic.”

We crossed the street and walked into the restaurant. There wasn’t a long line like at most of the trendy restaurants in the area, so we were seated right away. It was a little early for a Friday-night dinner. Once in our booth, I looked at the list of all-you-can-grill meats.

“Is there anything in particular you want?” Iann asked, flagging down a waiter.

I shrugged. “I’m up for anything.”

He ordered in Korean without looking at the list once, and the waiter nodded before walking away.