Camy Tang - Sushi for One?

She also had to think of her girls. Oliver would be a great boyfriend who might sponsor her team.

His kiss started off very soft, sweet as honey. That’s not too bad, I’m doing okay.

Then he started breathing heavier, kissing her harder. Moving in until she leaned against the door. Lex felt suffocated. She pulled away.

His eyes were cloudy, blacker than black. Then he blinked, and they grew rueful. “Sorry. You’re so beautiful, and I had such a good time.”

She supposed that was a compliment. “Thanks for a great dinner.” He’d even paid for it. “I’ll, um… I’ll call you.” Yeah, now she sounded eager for his company.

Lex let herself into her apartment, squeezed in by all the half-unpacked boxes that would need to be re-packed soon.

Funny, that’s what her life seemed like.

Lex flipped open her cell phone. “Hey Richard.”

“So how’d it go?”

“How’d what go?” The refrigerator stopped humming for a few seconds. Lex smacked it hard, and it started up again.

“Your dinner with Oliver.”

“How’d you know about that?”

“I asked him.”

“You asked him? Since when are you so interested in my love life?”

“Uh… just curious.”

Lex planted her hand on her hip and stared at the fridge, imagining Richard’s oh-so-innocent face. “You’re never curious.”

“Never mind. I’ll talk to you later.” Click.

Lex dialed.

“Hello?”

“It’s Lex. I need a ride.”

“Now?”

“Are you free?”

Venus sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I’ll be there in thirty.”

“Good, he’s got someone over at his apartment.” Lex tapped the glass toward a candy-apple-red Mitsubishi in one of her brother’s two alotted parking spaces.

“Can you not leave fingerprints on my window?” Venus swung the car into a visitor’s stall.

They got out and Lex took the stairs to Richard’s apartment slowly, step by step. Now her good knee started aching from all the use going up and down stairs. Just great.

Venus rang the doorbell. “This better be worth pulling me out of a relatively light day at work.”

“You’re working on a Saturday?”

“Hello – it’s a start-up. I work every Saturday.”

“But today’s a light day?”

“On light days, I can close the office door and sleep at my desk.”

The door swung open to a tall Asian girl, skinny enough to be a model. “What you want?”

“Mei-Ling?” Lex couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing here?”

Months after Richard broke up with her, Psycho-Chick herself was there in the flesh.

“You brother ask me ovah.” Heavily made-up eyes slanted over her shoulder toward the living room. “I more important now. You come back later.”

Lex slammed her hand into the closing door. “I’m his sister. Try and stop me.” She and Venus could take her, psychotic or not.

“If it’s Lex, I’m not here.” Richard’s voice boomed loud enough for his neighbors to hear him.

Venus closed her eyes and shook her head. “Are you sure you guys are related?”

“See? He no want talk to you!” Mei-Ling’s voice had risen to a falcon screech. Manicured talons fingered the plunging neckline of her straight-from-Hong-Kong fashion blouse. “You go!”

One of Richard’s neighbors peeked her head out the door at Mei-Ling’s raised voice.

Lex leaned in close. “If you don’t let me in, I’m going to key your red convertible.”

Mei-Ling gasped, her siren-red lips as wide as a rice bowl. “My baby!”

Venus pulled out her car keys and jingled them.

Mei-Ling flung open the door.

“Greetings, earthling.” Lex stalked into Richard’s living room and kicked his feet off the coffee table. “We do not come in peace.”

“Wha -? Oh, great.”

Lex turned to Venus. “See? He knows he’s in trouble.”

“I’m not in trouble.” Richard sunk lower in the couch cushions.

“Then this should be an easy question for you. What’s up with the man-parade? Were they really your friends?”

Mei-Ling’s eyes popped open. “Reeechahd! Is there something you no telling me?”

“Lex, you idiot. Yes, they were my friends.”

“So what was the name of the guy at the Children’s Day dinner?”

Richard blinked exactly three times. “Uh… Marshall?”

Well, Lex hadn’t caught his name either. “How about Uncle’s birthday party?”

This time, Richard blinked seven times. “Carl?”

“Bzzzzt. Some friend you are.”

“I, uh, can’t remember who I brought.”

“So, why were you so interested in my date with Oliver?”

“I wasn’t. Don’t flatter yourself.” Richard grabbed the remote control and turned the TV volume up.

Lex snatched it and turned the TV off. “Hey, Mei-Ling. Did I ever tell you about when Richard was six and I was five?”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Richard flapped his arms around as if he had a magic wand to stop up Mei-Ling’s ears and sew shut Lex’s mouth.

Ha! He wished.

Richard’s glare at Lex fizzled in a splash of fear. “You wouldn’t.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you outside.”

“No way! You’ll just lock the door behind me.”

Venus looked up from studying her nails. “In that case, you can shout it loud enough for the neighbors to hear you.”

Richard paled under his golf tan.

Lex sat on the arm of the couch, her leg dangling. “Talk.”

“Grandma offered to buy me a new car if I found you a boyfriend.”

“What? ” all three women screeched at once.

“Grandma bribed you?” Lex hopped off the couch. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Richard, your sense of self-preservation never ceases to amaze.”

Venus sneered at him.

“You Acura only three years old.” Mei-Ling pinched her lips and crossed her arms. “And you no get back together with me?” As if it were a national crime to not drive her around in prime wheels.

Richard’s eyes wandered sideways, but he didn’t look any of them full in the face.

Lex moved to stand in front of him. “How well do you know Oliver?”

“Uh… not well.”

“So, you could have set me up with an ax-murderer? I love you too, bro.”

“Hey, he wasn’t as dweeby as the guy at Uncle’s house.” Richard pouted.

“Richard, you are such a bum.” Venus moved to the door. “Let’s go, Lex. Leave him to Mei-Ling’s care.”

Mei-Ling smiled and cracked her knuckles.

“Aw, come on, Lex. I only wanted to help.” Richard’s desperate eyes beseeched her while casting a wary glance at Mei-Ling’s stormy face.

“Help me into a bad date? I’m really feelin’ the love.”

“You were kinda hinting you were looking for a guy. And Grandma wants you to date too. What was the harm in trying to set you up?”

He gave a desperate smile.

Lex’s glare burned the smile off his face. “You could have chosen nice guys, Richard.”

“I did. Aiden? Oliver? You had a good time, right?”

Lex followed Venus out the door. Well, she did owe him one.

“Yes, Richard.” She grabbed the door handle. “Despite you, I did like Oliver.” She slammed the door shut.

If she ever got married, she was eloping.

Lex staggered into the Pagoda Bridge Restaurant behind Mariko’s giggling bridesmaids. Four hours on her feet, standing next to Squawking Tiki – thank goodness Mariko stuck Lex on the end of the line – was as joyful an experience as getting her tooth drawn. Without Novocain.