Make Me Yours(38)

“Oh, fuck her! Who do you know that has a good mother-in-law?”

“I don’t know many people with in-laws, but I’ve heard good ones exist.”

“It’s not a sign of compatibility. She’s not even related to him. If anything, it shows what a great guy he is that he takes care of her like he does. I heard he pays all her bills.”

Inhaling deeply, I nod. “It’s true. He’s pretty patient with her, too.” My mind slowly connects the dots. “I wonder if that’s the problem. Like maybe she feels threatened by me?”

“Now who’s a great therapist?” Drew just loves being right about my dead-end career path. “It’s like in that rich Asians movie—she’s playing chicken with you.”

Our eyes meet, and my insides are buzzing. “I can’t let her win.”

“You know what to do!” Drew snaps her fingers in a Z. “Bok Bok, Bitch! You’re a badass chicken.”

The buzzing in my stomach gives way to a laugh. I shake my head, puzzling over this possibility. “Remi always stands up for me to her. He really lets me take the lead with Lillie’s care.” Which I’m getting better at. “It makes total sense.”

I feel so blind. Of course, she hates me. I’m crowding her territory.

Drew puts her hand over mine on the table. “He sounds pretty close to perfect.”

I flip my hand over and give hers a squeeze. “It’s a super complicated situation.”

“Doesn’t sound so complicated to me.”

Dagwood walks with the guys to the table, and I jump up to meet them. “Didn’t know you had such a decent voice, Fontleroy,” he says to Remi. “Too bad you sang a pussy song.”

Gray snorts a laugh, but I punch Dag on the arm. “Dagwood! That’s his favorite Kenny Rogers song.”

“Ow, don’t hit me, Ruby Roo! That is not his favorite Kenny Rogers song.” He turns to Remi, who’s smirking into his glass. “I’m sorry. Unless you’re gay, man. Nothing wrong with that, but you should let the ladies know. It’s not cool to lead them on.” He makes a face and hooks his thumb in my direction.

I grab that thumb in my fist. “He is not gay. And stop calling me that.” Turning to my date, I touch Remi’s arm. “It’s your favorite song, right?”

His lips press into a smile, and I can see he’s trying not to laugh.

“Wait…” I look from Remi to Dag to Gray. “It’s not… Why would you tell me it’s your favorite?”

Dagwood’s loud voice answers me. “Because chicks dig it. Gah! Keep up, girl!”

My mouth hangs open. “Is that true?”

Remi looks sheepish. “Sorry, babe.”

Drew bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, you’re hilarious! It worked. I’m pretty sure every woman in this bar is in love with you since you sang it.”

“Every woman?” Gray puts his arm around her shoulders.

“Almost every woman,” she adds, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him.

I pretend to be mad. “You lied to me.”

“It was just a tiny lie.” He puts his arms around my waist, and I don’t even stop him. “You were so pretty in the moonlight. I wanted to sing it to you.”

He’s grinning, and I’m clearly not mad. I’m clearly buzzing letting him hold me this way out in public. “So what is your favorite Kenny Rogers song?”

“I don’t really have one.” He reads my face and quickly adds, “but ‘The Gambler’ is pretty great.”

“Are you just saying that because I did?” I step out of his embrace and cross my arms.

“No. It’s a great song. Know when to hold ‘em.”

“Know when to fold ‘em!” Dagwood sings the rest of the chorus loudly before hopping out of the booth. “I’m putting you in. The whole bar wants to sing that song.”

“Hang on.” They’re both walking to the DJ booth, and I sit in the seat beside my bestie.

She leans forward and puts her chin on my shoulder. “I really like seeing you so happy.”

A knot is in my throat, and I can’t argue with her. “He might be kind of perfect.”

“Ruby?” A male voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see Henry Pak standing in front of me. “I thought that was you. How are you?”

“Henry, hi!” I stand and give him a hug.

My mom’s one attempt to rescue me from the dating apps was a Korean (of course) pediatric surgeon, who interned with my dad in Charleston.

“I haven’t seen you in… a year?” Henry is very nice, very polite. Too bad his ears make me wonder if he can fly.

“You look amazing.” He smiles and touches my elbow. “How’s your mom?”

“Great—she’s doing really great. Still working at the church…” I try to step out of his reach, but the booth blocks me. “I’m having lunch with her tomorrow. I can tell her you said hi. Are you still living in Charleston?”

“For now.” He nods, pointing to my hand. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“I’ve got her covered.” Remi’s voice is hard, and his arm goes around my waist.