I nod.“Andahmeans he already knows and hasthoughtshe will reveal at the most inconvenient time.”
Joel blinks.“What aboutoh?”
Ethan and I exchange a look.
I grimace.“That’s when yourun.”
“You are all so dramatic.”Mom rolls her eyes.“I just think it’ll be nice to have everyone together again.We’re all family, after all.”
Joel, to his credit, doesn’t gloat at that.
But he does meet my eyes again.
And for a second, just one second, something in his expression shifts—like he wants to say something, but isn’t sure he should.
I push my chair back, grabbing my now-cold coffee.“Great.Can’t wait for the inevitable disaster this turns into.”
Joel shifts in his seat, the corner of his mouth quirking up as I stand.“What’s the matter, Ace?Afraid you’ll have too much fun?”
I snort under my breath.“Oh yeah, Joel.Somuch fun.Being trapped in a room with you, my family, and my father’s inevitable disapproval sounds like anabsolute blast.”
Mom clears her throat, and I immediately regret my words.
“I’m sure your father will be delighted to see both of you,” she says sweetly, but there’s an unmistakable edge offix your attitudeto it.“And it’ll be good for the family to be together again to celebrate Mina.Just like old times.”
Joel leans back, still watching me with that stupid amused smirk.“Exactly.What’s a little nostalgia between childhood friends?”
I glare.“We were neverfriends.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Anna,” Mom says, already rising from the table and smoothing out her cardigan.“You and Joel wereinseparablewhen you were young.”
I nearly choke on thin air.“That’s revisionist history, and youknow it.He’s always beenEthan’sinseparable friend.Not mine.”
Mom merely hums as she gathers her things, but before she can fully make her exit, she pauses and turns to Joel.“Oh, by the way, darling, I need your hanbok measurements, as well.Can you get them to me?”
Joel blinks.“Uh?—”
“He’s not wearing a hanbok,” I blurt, horrified.
Mom looks offended.“Of course he is.He’spractically family.”
Joel, to my utter horror, beams.Beamslike she just told him he won the lottery.“Wow, Mrs.Chang.I’m touched.”
I’m going to die.
Mom nods, satisfied.“I’ll make sure it’s ready for the ceremony.Just get me your measurements.”She turns to me, and her smile sharpens.“And I expectyouto wear yours properly this time.”
I groan.“I wore it properly last time.”
“You tied the norigae onto your wrist like a bracelet,” she says flatly.
“…Fashion is subjective.”
She sighs.“Just be ready, Anna.”
With that, she gives Joel’s arm one last pat—traitor—before gathering her purse.“Ethan, come on, I need you to drive me to the store so I can order the food.”
Ethan groans but gets up, stretching before pointing his fork at me.“You’re gonna have to wear the hanbok, you know.There’s no getting out of it.”