Chapter Thirty-One
Declan
The meeting with Melvin goes surprisingly well. He’s gracious after Yuna’s frank feedback, and also likes how I read the lines and the waltz we did.
After the meeting’s over, I take Yuna out for a late lunch at a fairly empty Italian restaurant nearby.
“I can’t believe Melvin hasn’t decided which waltz he wants,” Yuna says after we’ve been seated and ordered our food. “Although I think the Viennese is going to look better.”
“That’s the choreographer’s job,” I say.
“But still… It’s his movie.”
“You sound like a control freak.” It’s a little surprising. She’s seemed pretty laid-back until now, especially with how she reacted to Jessica and Ella.
“Aren’t creative types control freaks anyway?” she says. “How are you going to elicit anything from your audience if you put out half-baked movies?”
Thank God Melvin isn’t around to hear this. He takes his art seriously. “Yeah, but sometimes you have to follow the advice of people who know better. Melvin’s not a dance guy.”
“Wow. I thought all Americans danced.”
I laugh. “Yeah, um… Not really. But regardless, thanks for the help with his kid’s music. I know it was just sprung on you.”
She shrugs. “I could have done that in my sleep. And if he wants, I can look up some decent piano teachers in the area and make recommendations. I made it sound like I might possibly be open to teaching his daughter at some point, but I actually have no intention of doing that. I only said it so he wouldn’t be too upset before talking to you about your next project.”
“Thank you,” I say, sincerely. It’s true that if she had rejected him too strongly, things could’ve become difficult. He can get temperamental and moody when things don’t work out his way.
Our server brings out seafood pasta for Yuna and a gluten- and carb-free pizza for me. I wait until he’s gone, then casually ask, “What are you going to do once Benedict comes back?” I’ve tried my best not to think about it, but… “Are you going back to Korea?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know yet. But I doubt I’ll be going back so soon. Ivy’s going to have twins, and I want to be here for that and spoil them rotten.”
“Ivy?”
“She’s my soul sister.”
“What’s that?” Another Korean thing? Like the steel sheet, but presumably nicer and sweeter?
“It’s like a soul mate, except it’s your sister. I just had a feeling when I first saw her at Curtis. We’re so close that friendship sounds inadequate.” She smiles fondly.
Ivy is a lucky woman. Given Yuna’s background, it’s clear not many people get to be in the special circle of people she cares about. I’d love to be included…to have her eyes warm with affection when she thinks about me. But given her wealth and status, she probably doesn’t trust people easily or let people get too close to her. You see the same thing among Holly
wood people, too.
Which means I’ll have to do better. Make these weeks really count.
“I see. That’s interesting.” But it doesn’t really answer the question of where she’s going to be. She doesn’t live in the U.S., and flying back and forth between Los Angeles and Seoul all the time could be difficult for me. On the other hand, nothing I’ve achieved in my life has come easily. Why should this be any different? Hell, the more I wanted something, the harder I had to work. And Yuna’s definitely worth whatever amount of effort it might take.
You aren’t even dating!
No, we’re not dating yet.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Maybe she just wanted a kiss from you and nothing more.
How is that even possible? With this face? And the body I’ve honed over the years? I didn’t get this ass by sitting around and watching Netflix all day. Most women would love to date a man with an ass that won the Booty I Most Want to Lick award.
Or was it Bite? I need to look it up to be sure.
I decide to probe a little more. “Don’t you have plans for your life beyond the next eight weeks? Some kind of milestones or something?”