Runway Romance (Love in the Air Trilogy) (12 page)

“Wrong. When it’s green, you still look around the intersection. Some yahoo may not be paying attention. Even if your light is green and his is red, so you’re in the right to move into the intersection, that doesn’t matter if someone ends up dead.”

“I don’t have eyes in the back of my head. How can I be looking everywhere at once?”

“You can’t. You have to put part of your trust in other people. No one leaves their house thinking they’d like to get in an accident today. Focus on the things you can control: wearing your seat belt, driving the speed limit, paying attention to all the cars around you, looking before going into an intersection, watching your blind spot.

Even if you do all these things perfectly, an accident can still happen. There is no guarantee. All you can do is be as prepared as possible. Knowledge and skill are powerful weapons.”

Jenny nodded her head. “I understand. I never realized how much the fear had seeped into other areas of my life. I thought it was just driving. It’s like, once I started being afraid, it spread, like an infection.”

“You’re taking the antibiotic to heal that infection. You’re driving the fear out of your life.”

“Thanks to you.”

“This one’s all on you. You’re healing yourself. I’m really proud of you.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Are you ready for an epicurean delight?”

“You’re talking about Korean food, right?”

“Right.

“I don’t even know what constitutes a Korean food.”

“You’re about to find out.” Rich held the door for her as they entered Seoul Food.

Jenny was surprised to find only eight tables in the restaurant. “I thought it would be bigger.”

“It looks that way from the outside. Sun Yi rents out the area to the left as meeting space. He didn’t get enough group gatherings to make it worthwhile to keep that part open.”

“You know a lot about this place.”

“I come here at least a couple times a month.”

“So, I’m in good hands.”

“Always.” Rich smiled warmly.

Jenny enjoyed the playful banter of his words as she imagined Rich’s hands sliding underneath her blouse to the unexposed tender flesh. Would his touch be urgent or gentle? Would he caress or pummel? Would she even care, if the timing was right and she trusted him?

“Good to see you again, Mr. Novatney.”

“Good to see you, too, Sun. How’s Kim doing?”

“Much better, thank you. The flu is bad this year. Hangs on for weeks. I worry.”

“I know. I’m glad she’s doing well now. This is my friend, Jenny.”

“Pleasure to meet any friend of Mr. Novatney.”

They shook hands in greeting, smiling at one another.

“You decide what to order?”

“I knew before I walked in the door.”

“Mr. Novatney memorize the menu, I think.”

“I can tell you more about what’s in your kitchen than in my own. I think we’ll have Seolleong, Japchae, Bulgogi and Tteok.”

“I have no idea what you just ordered,” Jenny said.

“Mr. Novatney order ox bone soup, stir fried noodle with vegetable, marinated beef barbecue and rice cake. Very good choices, especially for newborn to Korean food.” Sun nodded his head and made his way to the kitchen.

“How did he know I was a newbie?”

“You’re so green, he had you spotted a mile away.”

“Why does he call you Mr. Novatney instead of Rich?”

“Respect. It’s part of his culture. I’ve told him a million times that he doesn’t need to be that formal. We’re more casual in the States.”

“What does he say?”

“He’s Korean and he’ll always be Korean. Even if he lives in America the rest of his life, he will not become American. He honors the values he was raised with.”

“Wow. That’s admirable. Values and morals seem to have taken a back seat these days.”

“Not for everyone.”

“Most people.”

“You really think so?”

“Don’t you? I noticed you opened the door for me a few minutes ago. I’ve been on a lot of dates with men who don’t open doors. I’ve known guys who wanted to meet me on the street so they wouldn’t have to park their car.”

“Sounds like you’re dating the wrong kind of men.”

“These days a girl can’t be too choosy.”

“I’d have thought you could have your pick of men. I mean, you’re beautiful, smart, funny. What’s not to like?”

“I’m stubborn, opinionated, and when you piss me off, you know you’re going to hear about it.”

“Like I said, what’s not to like?”

“What about you? Do you find it easy to meet women you’re interested in who have morals?”

Rich grinned. “Now that you mention it, there have been quite a few who didn’t seem to care much about getting to know me before taking things a lot further.”

“And, did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Go a lot further.”

Rich shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“And there it is.”

“What?”

“The double standard. You may have wanted a woman with morals and values, but you slept with the ones that didn’t have any, just the same.”

“That’s different.”

“It is so not different. It’s like Nikki Sixx said, ‘I want a lady on my arm and a whore in the bedroom.’”

“Who’s Nikki Sixx?”

“Bass player and songwriter for Motley Crue.”

“The heavy metal band?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re taking value and moral advice from a band that’s known for rampant drug, sex and alcohol use?”

“I’m not taking advice from them, I’m just saying that that’s what men want -- a lady on their arm and a whore in the bedroom.”

“Okay, let’s say you’re right.”

“I am right.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You’re right. So what’s wrong with that? Women want a handsome, wealthy man on their arm and a passionate lover in the bedroom. We’re supposed to make love to you for hours and hours. That’s some serious pressure.”

“That’s not what women want! Where in the world did you get that idea?”

“From women!”

“Not from this woman.”

“You don’t want a man who’s handsome and has financial security and can also make your knees tremble?”

“Well, that would be nice, but I also want someone I can laugh with and someone I can trust. Someone who won’t freak out if I cry at a sad movie or call them just to say I love you. I want someone who wants to know me, the real me.”

“Are you hiding the real you somewhere?”

“No. Maybe. A little. When you get hurt over and over again, you start to guard that part of yourself, so no one can ever reach it again.”

“There’s a problem with hiding, sometimes you become too good at it.”

Rich and Jenny’s eyes met. Somehow the air in the room seemed to have thinned. Jenny found herself taking deeper breaths to keep her head clear.

Rich reached across the table and took her hand in his. “You don’t have to hide with me. I never want you to feel that way. Not with me.”

“Hot plate,” Sun Yi said as he approached their table.

Jenny removed her hand from Rich’s. “It smells delicious.”

Rich gave her a this-conversation-is-not-over look, then began a dissertation about each item he’d ordered.

“Fabulous food and a world history lesson all in one.”

“Too much?”

“Just a little. Most of it was kind of fascinating, though. How’d you learn so much about Korean food and culture?”

“I learned a lot from Sun and his family.”

“How long have they been in the States?”

“About five years.”

“And you’ve known them all that time?”

“Yeah. I was here for the grand opening. My picture’s on the wall over there.” Rich pointed toward the photo of their opening day and several framed newspaper articles,

“The only place I’ve been eating at for five years is McDonald’s. It doesn’t have the same atmosphere and history.”

“They do make a mighty fine McRib, though.”

“Hi Unka Itch.”

“LeeAnn, MiLee, have you met Jenny?”

The four-year-old twins shook their heads and buried their faces in Rich’s side.

“It’s good to meet you.” Jenny slid out of her chair until she was on one knee at the girls’ eye level.

The girls giggled and ran back toward the kitchen.

“They are stinkin’ cute. Be still my heart.” Jenny returned to her seat with her hand on her chest.

“Troublemakers, too. Don’t let those innocent smiles fool you. Kim and Sun have their hands full with those two.”

“You don’t fool me one bit, Mr. Novatney. You’d die for those kids. Your face lit up when you saw them.”

“Guilty. I love kids. Want to see my daughter?”

Jenny almost choked on the sip of water she was drinking. “You have a daughter?”

“Yeah. Didn’t I tell you?”

“No. No, you didn’t.”

“Then I probably didn’t tell you I’m married, either.”

Chapter Fifteen

Jenny stared at Rich. How could he so casually mention having a daughter, and then a wife? It’s true she’d never thought to ask, but he wasn’t wearing a ring and he never mentioned either of them.

“I’m sure this comes as a bit of a shock.”

“Yeah. You could say that. You know, let’s not waste each other’s time. You can save your explanation.” Jenny got up, grabbing her coat and purse.

“Wait a minute. It’s not what you think.”

“You know what really hurts? I believed all your crap about not hiding, not with you. I should have been more worried about what you were hiding from me. I’m so… I’m so…”

“What?”

“Disappointed.” The tear rolled down her cheek before she could stop it. She brushed it aside angrily and headed for the door. Once she was outside she said, “I will not waste any tears on that lying, you-can-trust-me, good for nothing… “

“I really wish you’d give me ten minutes. I can explain all of this. It’s not what you think. We don’t have to stop seeing each other.”