Camy Tang - Sushi for One?

“So… walk off the cliff, just like that?”

“Sure. If you could see the bridge, it wouldn’t be faith, right?”

Lex didn’t realize she’d been leaning against the car until the heat began toasting her buns. She scooted away. “Venus, I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Well, if it were easy, everybody would be obeying God.”

“But I mean… not moving forward, not giving my all, not doing anything? Just waiting for… whatever?”

“Maybe that’s what God’s asking you to do.”

“That just seems wrong.”

“Did you even pray when Grandma started getting all Big Brother on you?”

“Uh… sort of.” More like no. “I just… acted on it.”

“You didn’t wait for an answer from God about what He wanted you to do?”

“I never wait.”

Venus rolled her eyes. “That’s your problem.” She coughed. “Hey, the smoke’s cleared.” She reached to lift the hood, making sure it wasn’t too hot to the touch.

Wait on God? Lex didn’t want to wait. She didn’t want to ask. She didn’t want to hear God say no when she really wanted something. She’d never be able to accept that.

She needed time to wrestle with it.

Venus didn’t look too hopeful as she stared at the blackened engine. “It had a good life. It went out with a bang.”

“Literally.”

“Look, Lex.” Venus’s cynicism melted away into a serious, loving expression. “I know you hate charity, but I can pay for a used car for you.”

“No.” Lex stuck out her chin.

Venus gave a sigh that sounded more like a frustrated howl. “You just admitted you don’t have the money.”

She did, didn’t she? Tears stung her eyes as she stared at the mess under her car hood. Must be the smoke fumes. What had happened to her? She always could take care of things herself. But now, she was gimpy, weepy, and dirt poor.

Venus coughed. “I’ll even charge you interest.”

Lex perked up. “Really? You’d charge interest just for me?”

Venus closed her eyes a moment. “You’re such a weirdo. Yes, I’ll charge interest since it’s obvious you’re not sane enough to accept the cash.”

“Can you help me find housing too?”

“I’ll ask. Actually, the person you should talk to is Richard. He has more contacts than I do.”

“Rich, it’s Lex.” She adjusted the cell phone as she tried to cram another pair of shorts into the cardboard box.

“Yes, sister dear?”

“My apartment building is being sold. I need housing fast.”

“Oh. Well, there’s George.”

“George, as in, the dweeb you set me up with a few months ago who shafted me with the dinner bill?”

“He’s a good real-estate agent.”

“He’s also a big, fat no.”

“Okay. There’s a guy I know, although not very well. He mentioned his sister needed a roommate for her town house.”

“Who?”

“You’ve met him. Oliver. He was at Hot Pot Town when you…uh…”

“Yes, the night is pretty clear in my memory.”

“He actually called me afterward to see how you were doing, since he was there when you… you know.”

“Can you manage not to bring it up every ten seconds?”

“I’ll have to find Oliver’s number. When do you need it?”

“I’ve got to move out soon, Richard.”

“Well, I do have one other lead.”

“What?”

“You won’t like it.”

“Why?”

“The family from Grandma’s rental house is moving out this month.”

When pigs fly. “Get me Oliver’s number.”

Lex stared up at the endless line of stairs. “Your sister’s on the fourth floor?”

“Yeah.”

“And there’s no elevator?”

“No elevator.”

“Oliver.” Lex turned to him. “My knee’s getting better, but I still can’t go up stairs without a lot of pain.” He winced, flashing bright white teeth against his darkened skin.

“It won’t be well enough by the time you move out?”

“I don’t know. I’m working hard on my physical therapy.” Liar.

You’ve canceled the last few sessions, you coward.

“How’s that going?” He led her back to his Mercedes convertible.

“Fine. I’m healing slowly, though.”

“Yeah, that’s always the way it is. In college, I tore my meniscus, and it took me six months before I could play beach volleyball again.”

“You play beach volleyball?” Oliver did have a rather fine physique.

“Not anymore.” He gave a rueful smile. “My knees couldn’t take it, so I retired.”

“That must be awful.” Lex would have had to be in a wheelchair before she stopped playing. And even then, she might still play and run people over.

Oliver shrugged. “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. You play, right?”

“Coed on Mondays and Fridays, women’s SCVA on Wednesdays. And I coach a junior high girls’ team.”

“Oh, really? That must be fun. How are they doing?”

“Uh… they’re doing well, but I might lose funding after May.” In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if Grandma cut funding as of Wednesday night.

“Really?” Oliver paused as he opened the passenger side door for her. “How much?”

Lex’s entire body turned into a buzzing beehive where she stood. She told him the amount they’d need until September. “It’s a lot because we’re traveling for playoffs this summer.”

His Egyptian-shaped eyes narrowed in thought. “I might be able to swing that.”

“Are you serious?”

“Well, no promises. I still need to think about it and do a few calculations, but I’ve been considering something like this for a while.

No offense, but it would be good for my business.”

“Oh, of course. I understand that.”

“And my pastor always says to give back to the community the way Jesus did.”

“What church do you go to?” Lex couldn’t believe this. Oliver became more perfect with every word he said.

“Green Pastures Church.”

“I go to Santa Clara Asian Church.” Read: We could be equally yoked, hot-stuff.

“That’s really great.” Confidence made his gaze clear as he faced her. “Actually, I wondered if you’d like to go out to dinner with me tonight.”

“Me? Tonight?” This handsome, swarthy guy actually wanted to spend more time with her?

“If you’re free.”

“Sure.” She’d have to be dead not to want to spend more time in his luxurious car.

Oh, and his company was pleasant too.

“I had a great time, Lex.” Oliver leaned against the doorframe to her apartment, easing closer to her.

“I did too.” It was true. He reminded her of Aiden – calm, controlled. He didn’t tease her like Aiden did, but then again, she’d only been with the guy for a few hours.

“I hope we can do this again.” His voice had gone low and husky.

“I’d like that.”

Oliver’s exotic eyes dropped to her mouth. That must be some unspoken guy signal telling the girl, I’m going in!

She didn’t mind, right? He’d been easy to talk to, nothing creepy about him. He had all his teeth, he didn’t smell, he talked to her face and not her shoes.

He touched her cheek in a gesture right out of something like You’ve Got Mail or some other sappy chick flick. Lex flexed her jaw but didn’t flinch. Hey, she did pretty good.

He came in slowly. Lex would have preferred he just get it over with.

No, she needed to rearrange her attitude. She had to beat this fear. It wouldn’t impact her life anymore. She would kiss Oliver and she’d like it!