Page 87 of The Mastermind
Something crashed to the floor, and I turned and found Audri crouching on the ground, cleaning up spilled water.
“You okay, honey?” Mrs. Wu asked.
“Yup, I got it, Mom. It’s just water.”
I grabbed some paper towels and crouched beside her, but she was already done cleaning. “You getting clumsy when I’m not beside you?”
She snorted. “More like you took too long to get me the bowls, so I turned abruptly and knocked over a glass of water.”
“Sorry, I was just wondering if Derek was okay. He looks angry.”
“Yeah, I guess some unexpected business deal went sour.” She tossed the paper towels in the trash, washed her hands in the small sink, and took the bowls I had left on the table to give to her mom.
“Derek’s been trying to close some real estate deal in Massachusetts. Hiccups always make him mad,” Mrs. Wu chimed in as she placed noodles into each bowl and filled them with soup.
“That’s the nature of business,” I said, inhaling the delicious scent. “It goes up and down, up and down. You get used to it, but I admit, sometimes I get infuriated.”
“But there’s nothing a wonton noodle soup can’t fix, right?” Audri placed the bowls onto a metal tray and gave me two oven mitts.
I followed her like a cat to the dining table and whispered in her ear, “I know of something else that can fix all your issues.”
Smirking, she rolled her eyes. I stole a kiss from her before helping her transfer the hot bowls of soup to the placemats. I expected a jab in the ribs, but she didn’t since my hands were full.
Derek entered the kitchen, looking more relaxed. We all sat down at the round dining table, me next to Audri.
I stared into my bowl of wonton noodle soup and inhaled the aroma. “Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Wu. I haven’t had this in a long time.”
“You’re welcome. Aren’t there restaurants you can order from in New York City?”
“None of their soups can compare to yours.” I picked up my chopsticks.
Beneath the table, Audri’s foot tapped mine lightly, and a game of footsie began.
Derek shook his head and grinned. “This guy is such a charmer, isn’t he, Melanie?”
“No, he’s brilliant because he knows when to tell the truth,” Mrs. Wu said with a smile. “It’s good to have you home. When are you heading back to New York?” She waved a hand around the table. “Eat, everyone. It’s better when it’s hot.”
“I’m not sure yet. I have a few business projects to take care of first.”
“Don’t be like Derek.” Mrs. Wu pointed the chopsticks at him. “He’s a sixty-year-old single man. Make time for love, marriage, and kids. There’s more to life than work, you know?”
I waited for Audri to continue playing footsie with me, but she didn’t.
“I’m not single!” Derek retorted. He didn’t look sixty. I didn’t see any gray hair on him, but he could have dyed it black.
“You keep saying that, but you haven’t brought anyone home. I don’t care if you’re into guys, girls, or whatever.”
Audri smiled and blew on the wonton steaming on her spoon.
Derek seemed annoyed but tried to cover it up with a laugh and huffed. “What about you?”
“I’m a widow, Derek. That phase of my life has come and gone. I’m not interested in anyone.”
Audri looked at her mom with so much love.
“Maybe if you give yourself another chance at love again, it could happen. Jacob wouldn’t want you to be lonely.”
“I’m not lonely, Derek. I’m content. I just want to focus on my children and make sure they’re happy, stable, have bright futures, and give me grandkids.”