Sammy’s mouth twitched.Atta girl.He didn’t reprimand her for cursing. She clearly had good judgment if she could see through Edison’s bullshit.
“I’m proud to announce that—” A dramatic pause long enough for Sammy to replicate Gina’s eye roll. “You are looking at the newest junior partner of Sterling, Wilson & Cartwright!”
There were exactly two seconds of silence before everyone reacted. Sammy’s grandparents beamed. Gina yawned. Kevin shoved ashumaiin his mouth, no doubt to prevent himself from saying something snarky. Auntie Ling jumped from her seat and squealed, hugging her smirking son and talking loudly about howof courseEdison made partner because he’d always been the smartest person in the room.
Gee, thanks, Auntie.
Sammy’s mom snorted. “Whatever. People make partner all the time,” she sniffed. “Butyou,Sammy, you’re on magazine covers! You were named one ofForbes30 Under 30!” She glared at Auntie Ling. “I’ll bring copies next week. Edison, the smartest person in the room, my ass.”
Her husband coughed.
She whirled on him. “You agree? You think Edison is smarter than our son?”
Sammy made a sympathetic face at his father, who resembled a deer caught in headlights.
“Of course not.” Richard poured himself another cup of tea and stirred in a sugar cube. “My drink merely went down the wrong pipe.”
Before Amy could say anything else, Edison raised his voice over the chatter. “Wait, that’s not all! To celebrate my promotion—” He puffed out his chest. “I’m treating everyone to a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe! I’ve rented a big chalet—”
Loud, excited chatter drowned out the rest of his words. His promotion was big news, but nothing got the Yu’s atwitter like a free vacation. Even Gina looked up with interest.
“Wow,” Lucy said. “That’s really generous.”
“That’s Eddie,” Sammy said dryly. “Generous to a fault.”
While the rest of Sammy’s family discussed what they would pack and do at Lake Tahoe—even his mom got into it; clearly, an all-expenses-paid trip was enough to overcome her lifelong rivalry with Auntie Ling—Sammy and Lucy finished catching each other up on their lives. She was pleasant, smart, and kind, as always, but there was zero chemistry. Whatever romantic attraction they’d had in high school had fizzled, and while Sammy enjoyed talking with her, he knew they’d never date again. He could tell she felt the same way.
“I don’t get it,” his mother complained after they’d finished dim sum and Lucy excused herself to run errands. “You and Lucy are perfect for each other! You looked so cute together in high school. Remember when you two went to homecoming? You in your little bow tie and she in that pink dress. I still have the pictures. She’d give me beautiful grandchildren.” She glared at him. “Don’t you want me to have grandchildren, Sammy?”
“Don’t start.” Sammy crossed his arms over his chest. “I have a bone to pick with you about trying to set me up withLucy Wang,of all people.”
He couldn’t really blame his mom, since he’d never told her about the letter, but he was mortified enough from having to face Lucy again that reason had jumped out the window.
“What’s wrong with Lucy?” She sounded indignant. “She’s pretty and she works for Google.Google!As a software engineer!” Amy waved her hands in the air. “Do you know how much money software engineers make?”
“I don’t need her money, Mom. I make enough on my own.”
“Well, of course you don’t. But if she has her own money, it means she won’t leech off yours. You have to be careful. Don’t want to attract gold-diggers.” Amy heaved a sign laden with the thousand burdens that came from having a son who wouldn’t see reason. “I figured since you didn’t click with any of the new women I set you up with, you might have better luck with an ex. Who knows? If she hadn’t moved to Colorado, you two might be married right now!”
“I doubt it.” Sammy glared at Kevin, who was loitering to the side, eavesdropping and chuckling to himself.
His mother narrowed her eyes. “Is this because of Olivia?”
What?Why the hell was she bringing up Olivia?
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Are you lying?”
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed further, and he could practically see the gears turning in her head.
Unease prickled the back of Sammy’s neck. Nothing good ever came of the look his mother was giving him now.