Short Soup (5 page)

A fresh, green smell filtered in as the night air breezed through the ferns. She stood, riveted by the realisation that she was standing in Dion’s embrace, longing for his kiss. Was this what she’d always secretly wanted yet never had the courage to admit to herself? Perhaps she was just confusing sympathy for sexual arousal. Surely Dion wouldn’t hold her like this if he was just commiserating with her? But maybe this was how he comforted all his female friends when they had relationship breakups. Yes, that was more likely.

Still, she didn’t want this moment to end. She wanted it to develop into something more. She started to rise up on her toes, all her concentration fixed on Dion’s lips. As she did so, Dion’s eyes widened. He couldn’t mistake her intent. He froze, his stilled fingers entangled in her hair.

From the nearby kitchen, sandals clacked on the tiled floor. The sliding door to the back porch whined open.

“Toni? Dion?” Pearl called out. “Where are you?”

Toni jerked away from Dion. His arms fell to his sides while he remained still, staring at her. Was his chest heaving as much as hers?

Pearl stepped forward. “Why so dark out here? What you two doing?”

“Nothing, just talking,” Toni muttered. As she moved past Dion, his bare arm brushed against hers. The heat of his skin lit a sizzle up her arm, sending a wobble through her knees. Oh God, what if her mum had caught her kissing Dion? What would she have said?

“Come inside.” Pearl’s gaze darted between the two of them. “I’m making tea for everyone.”

Dion cleared his throat. “Thanks, Auntie, but not for me. I’d better get going. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

“Ah, you want help, just call,” Pearl said. “Toni can help too.”

“No, no. I’ve got everything under control. Thanks for dinner.” He gave Pearl’s shoulder a quick squeeze then glanced back at Toni. “See you later.”

She’d barely said goodbye before he hurried through the kitchen. A short time later she heard the front door shut. He’d raced out of here as if his pants were on fire. Toni swiped the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead. She was all hot and flushed, her legs still unsteady. What would have happened if she had succeeded in planting one on his lips? Would he have kissed her back or pushed her away? The idea of Dion rejecting her made her nerves shrivel. She valued his friendship deeply. She’d be stupid to risk it just because she couldn’t control her urges. No, the next time she felt like kissing Dion she would have to bite her tongue to stop herself. She was obviously bad at picking lovers, but she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise what she had with Dion.

Toni laughed as the beaming toddler staggered towards her, clutching the ball she’d tossed to him. The eighteen-month-old was her friend Becky’s first child and totally adorable.

“Oh, Charlie.” Toni scooped him up in her arms. “You are too cute for words.”

Giggling, Charlie squirmed out of her hold, bending to pluck a handful of grass which he tossed to his mother before toddling off. “He’s great, but it’s a nightmare keeping him in sight,” Becky said with a rueful smile. “I thought it was stressful when he was just a baby, but now that he’s walking he can be off in a flash if I’m not careful.”

Toni patted her friend’s hand. “I’m in awe. I don’t know how you manage.”

It was midday, and she’d popped round to visit her old friend from high school. Becky had never left Piper Bay. She had married her high school sweetheart and bought a house less than a kilometre from where she’d grown up. Despite her declarations of tiredness, Becky looked marvellous. Marriage and motherhood obviously agreed with her.

Charlie pulled off his blue sun hat and threw it on the lawn. Becky replaced it, and he promptly whipped it off again, grinning mischievously.

“Dion invited me and Rob to the opening party tonight,” Becky said as she retrieved the sun hat. “Pity we can’t go. My parents are away, and I don’t trust anyone else to babysit Charlie.” She advanced on her son who careened out of reach, chuckling with glee as he made for the nearby sand pit. The entire back yard of Becky’s house appeared to be devoted to Charlie. There was a tricycle, swing set, sand pit, and scattered toys everywhere. “I so wanted to go too. I think it’s wonderful the way Dion’s managed to turn his life around.”

Toni gave her friend a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you know. For a while there he was hanging out with the wrong crowd.”

“What crowd was that?”

Charlie tripped over a bucket and landed face-first in the sand pit. As his face screwed up and his lower lip trembled, Becky was already at his side, dusting away the sand sticking to his mouth. “I didn’t know any of them very well. I just know they weren’t interested in much else besides surfing and doing drugs.”

A chill slid down Toni’s spine. “Dion’s not into drugs.”

“Not any more, thank God.” Becky hefted the toddler onto her hip and moved towards Toni. “I guess you weren’t aware of it. You were away at uni at the time.” She paused, her expression altering as she took in Toni’s shock. “Uh, perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I just assumed you already knew because you and Dion were always thick as thieves.”

Feeling ill, Toni shook her head. “I knew he was a bit lost, spent most of his time surfing but …” She fell silent, disturbed by Becky’s casual revelation.

“Hey, it was a while ago, and Dion’s got his act together now. I only saw him hanging out with these losers a couple of times. I’m sure Dion wasn’t heavily involved with them. He’s always had lots of friends. These were probably just friends of friends, you know, acquaintances.” Becky chewed her lip. “Shoot. Now I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.”

“No, I’m sure it was just a passing phase, and it’s been years now.” Toni made herself smile to reassure Becky. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

“Thanks.” Becky looked relieved. “I like Dion a lot. Rob and I have been going to the Happy Palace for ages, and when Dion takes over we’ll go even more often.” With Charlie still in her arms she moved inside the house. Toni followed and slipped onto a stool at the kitchen bench, watching as her friend cut up an apple for her son, but her mind was still preoccupied.

“I’ve sometimes wondered about you and Dion.” Becky gave her a calculating look. “You’re chalk and cheese, but I think you’d make a great couple.”

Toni’s fingers gripped the granite bench. An image of her almost kissing Dion last night seared across her brain. “Oh please, don’t go there.” That’s all she needed. Other people giving her encouragement when she was already in danger of embarrassing herself.

“Why not? You’re both single.”

Toni pulled a face. “And that’s your only criterion?”

“You know what I mean.” Shrugging, Becky held out another apple slice for Charlie. “You and Dion complement each other, and besides, he’s pretty hot, you have to admit that.”

Yes, he was hotter than Hades, but she wasn’t going to admit anything, especially if it had a chance of getting back to Dion. “I’m not looking for a serious relationship, and Dion definitely isn’t.”

“You don’t have to have a serious relationship.” Becky winked at her. “What’s wrong with a quick fling?”

Toni smothered a choke. “You obviously don’t remember our parents too well.” She got to her feet, reaching for her handbag and car keys. “I’d better leave before this conversation gets out of hand.”

“I’m a happily married woman,” Becky protested. “All I have for drama are my friends’ love lives.”

“Not this friend.” She bent to plant a kiss on Charlie’s sweet-smelling hair. “Goodbye, Charlie. Tell your mother to behave.”

Becky laughed. “Come back. I was just kidding.”

But Toni wasn’t taking any chances. With a wave and a hug, she took her leave.

“Let’s hope everything goes well tonight,” Toni’s father said to her.

They were standing outside the Happy Palace, waiting for Toni’s mother who had popped across the street to buy something from the pharmacy. The restaurant was slap-bang in the middle of the town centre, a prime location now that Piper Bay had expanded. Through the windows of the restaurant Toni could see a sizeable crowd had already gathered for the relaunch party. Her father smoothed down his carefully combed hair and fidgeted with his tie, all the while glancing anxiously at the restaurant.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Toni asked in surprise.

Shen nodded, a little sheepish. “A bit. I want Dion to do well.”

“I’m amazed you haven’t been in there all day helping him to prepare.”

“He asked me and Kai to let him do it with his own staff. Your Uncle Kai can’t help interfering.” Shen shrugged. “But I stay away.”

It must have been torture for him. “Are you regretting giving up the restaurant?” she asked.

“No. My legs not good. I can’t stand all day.” He watched as Toni’s mother hurried back across the street. “Your mother and I work hard so many years. Now we want to enjoy ourselves while we still healthy enough.”

Pearl caught up with them, a medicine bottle in her hands. She opened it, shook out a pill and swallowed it. “Okay, I’m ready now.”

Toni realised she’d taken an antacid tablet. “Mum,” she protested. “Do you really think Dion’s food is going to be so bad you need antacid
before
we’ve eaten?”

“No, I got indigestion already,” Pearl replied. “Nerves.”

“Both of you? Wow, poor Dion.”

“Not poor Dion. We know he’s going to do very well. He’s got big future. Look how many people there.” Pearl nodded towards the crowded restaurant before tugging at her husband’s arm. “
Fai dee la
. We don’t want to be last.”

As Toni followed her parents into the restaurant, butterflies began to quiver in her stomach at the thought of seeing Dion again. Would he be embarrassed to see her after what had happened last night? She wouldn’t be surprised if he was. Her behaviour had been totally out of character.

About sixty or seventy people stood in clusters around the main room, drinking wine and chatting loudly. The interior of the restaurant was almost unrecognisable. Gone were the mass-produced Chinese oil paintings, the gaudy gilt lettering, the goldfish tank, the floral carpet and paper lanterns. Now there were bamboo floors, concealed lighting, simple Chinese scrolls in alcoves, and modern wooden tables and chairs.

Dion walked out of the crowd towards them, grinning a welcome. Toni hung back as her parents moved forward to greet him. Suddenly she felt gauche and out of place. Her parents fussed over Dion as if they hadn’t seen him for years before moving on to join the crowd. The smile faded a little from his lips as she approached him.

“Hi.” She glanced at him uncertainly. In a pristine white chef’s jacket and black trousers he looked crisp, professional and unfamiliar. “Um, everything set for tonight?”

“It’s panic stations out the back, but don’t tell anyone.” Despite his words, he seemed his usual unflappable self. He took his time studying her. “You look nice.”

Her heart leaped. Her nervous fingers flicked over the mauve cocktail dress with lace overlay she wore. “Oh, this old thing.” The instant the words left her mouth she regretted them. How affected she sounded. Especially when she’d spent such an age on her appearance this evening, laboriously applying every cosmetic she possessed before washing most of it off. It seemed important she look her best tonight, but at the same time she didn’t want to appear like she was trying too hard.

“Well, you look good anyway.” He eyed her some more. “What did you get up to today?”

His friendly tone eased some of her fluster. It seemed Dion wanted to ignore what had happened last night, and that was fine by her. “This morning my mum showed me how to make wontons, and this afternoon I visited Becky.” She paused, growing warm as she recalled Becky’s comments about Dion and her making a great couple. “She and Rob are regulars here, apparently, and she can’t wait to try out your new menu.”

“I hope she won’t be too disappointed. I figure I’m going to get a few complaints because I’m not serving up Aussie-Chinese food any more, but there were some things on the menu that just had to go.”

Toni glanced over at her parents who were chatting with Dion’s parents. “Do any of them know what’s on the menu?”

“Nah. Why give them more worries?” Grinning, he folded his arms across his chest.

She found herself smiling back. “My dad can’t stop fidgeting, and my mum’s on antacids.”

“And you? Do you also think I’m going to make a complete balls-up and ruin all their years of hard work?”

“No! You’re going to be a great success. And I’m sure your menu will be a hit.”

“Huh.” His eyes glimmered. “Glad to know I can still count on you.”

The sparkle in his eyes made the butterflies in her swirl about. She opened her mouth to tell him he could always count on her, but before she could get a syllable out a tall, slinky brunette sauntered over and draped her hand on Dion’s shoulder.

“Hey darl,” she drawled. “Sorry to interrupt but should I be showing people to their tables?” Bright blue eyes outlined in blue eyeliner flashed in Toni’s direction. “Hi, I’m Melissa, by the way.”

“This is Toni Lau,” Dion introduced them. He added to Toni, “Melissa’s acting front of house manager for me tonight. I’ll have too much to do in the kitchen.”

“You won’t have to worry about a thing.” Melissa turned to Toni. “I’m a manager at the Piper Bay Resort. I couldn’t say no to Dion when he asked me to help out tonight.”

A tingling sensation prickled in Toni’s belly. Why hadn’t Dion asked her to help? She quickly squashed her sulky inner voice. He’d been planning this event for months, and she’d only arrived at short notice. Besides, she knew nothing about being a restaurant manager. She was just being silly. And a bit jealous.

Dion smiled at Melissa. “Thanks again. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Oh, you know I can’t refuse you, darl.” Melissa’s crimson lips puckered up suggestively.

Toni compressed her lips. Okay, she was more than just a bit jealous.

Dion leaned over and pecked Melissa on the cheek. “Gotta run. I’ll leave things to you.” He walked off without saying anything further to Toni.