If Derek had a theme song, it would be “Here Comes the Hotstepper.” Alex looked his cousin over as he strode into his office in his dark navy three-piece suit looking every bit of a billionaire playboy. He had his signature beguiling smirk plastered on his face as he nodded a flirtatious thanks to Ms. Myer, who returned it with an eye roll of her own.

Alex was not ready to deal with his gregarious cousin today. Not while he was still struggling to not behave like an awkward teenager in front of Claire since their dinner last night.

“How can you flirt with a woman old enough to be your mom?” Alex groaned. He would have to apologize to his receptionist for Derek’s behavior later.

“What?” Derek’s eyes were wide with surprise. “A good woman deserves to be treated as a queen no matter the age!” He tilted his head to the side as he regarded Alex, his smile sly. “And she puts up with you, which I guarantee isn’t a cake walk either.”

Before Alex could counter, Claire popped out of her office.

“Hello Mr. Kang, thank you for coming here for our meeting today,” she greeted Derek with a bright smile that lit up Alex’s heart.

‘Has she ever smiled like that at me?’ he wondered, feeling a sharp pang in his chest.

“For you, Miss Claire, anything to make your day more—” Derek shot a quick glance to Alex and raised an eyebrow. “Tolerable,” he finished after his unsubtle pause and turned his attention back to Claire.

“Are you implying that my Communications Manager works in an unacceptable environment?” Alex growled.

He saw a flicker of amusement in Derek’s eyes, and he fought a sudden urge to jump over his desk and punch that smug look off his cousin’s face.

Claire interjected, “Mr. Kang, I appreciate your consideration. However, my time here has been exciting and challenging so I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She continued to flash her radiant smile.

She turned her attention to Alex and asked, “Mr. Lee, would we be bothering you if we met at your conference table? Otherwise, it isn’t a problem for Mr. Kang and I to meet in my office.”

Images of seeing Claire’s legs through the glass table bullet-trained through his mind. He was about to say no to that option; there was no way he would let Derek enjoy that view. But just as quickly, that bullet train expressed an important fact: her office was very small and Derek could easily get intimately close to Claire.

Shit.

“No, feel free to use the conference table. I don’t have any pressing calls upcoming,” he assured Claire while shooting a warning look at Derek. At least this way he could keep an eye on them.

Claire smiled her thanks and ushered Derek to the table before getting her laptop and a few files and joining him. It didn’t take long for the two of them to get into a comfortable rhythm as they conversed about the media needs for the upcoming fashion event.

Alex tried valiantly to focus on the reports in front of him, but his attention kept jumping to the pair at the table; every time Claire laughed, every time Derek moved closer to her to look at her laptop or a file she held, every time a chair creaked and his eyes immediately went to Claire’s legs—and the direction of Derek’s eyes.

Derek caught his glances more than once, and each time his subtle smirk goaded Alex. ‘Wanna try something cuz?’ his eyes would challenge.

After what felt like eternity for Alex, Derek finally leaned back in his chair and declared the meeting a success.  

Flashing Claire a grin that Alex immediately distrusted, he drawled, “Well, Miss Claire, I think we should conclude this productive meeting with something more…delicious. How about an encore dinner at your friend’s restaurant? Mira, wasn’t it?”

Claire’s eyes lit up. “Golden Jade? That sounds perfect! Mira would love to see us.”

Alex’s stomach twisted. Dinner. With Derek. Alone. He cleared his throat, louder than necessary.
“Actually,” Alex interjected, “I’ve been meaning to check out Golden Jade myself after hearing Derek’s glowing review. Why don’t I join you two?”

Derek’s smirk widened. “Oh, splendid idea! Perhaps you will consider trying out the ‘Dragon Fire Noodle Challenge,’ you could even beat my time.”

Alex blanched for a moment. “I might consider it,” he said hesitantly.

Claire laughed, oblivious to the tension sparking between them. “Then it’s settled. Golden Jade for dinner.”

The knot in Alex’s chest grew tighter. Claire wasn’t this excited when he mentioned having dinner yesterday.

“Claire, want to ride with me?” Derek asked. “I do need to stop at my office to grab something really quick.”

Not giving Claire a chance to answer, Alex offered, “I’ll just take her straight there and we can get a table while we wait for you.”

“Alright,” Derek agreed with a twinkle in his eye, “that sounds like an excellent idea.” He waved a hand as he sauntered toward the door. “I’ll see you both there!”

Alex sighed inwardly and turned to Claire. “Just give me a moment to finish up and we can head out.”

“Sure thing,” Claire answered, suddenly very reserved. “I’ll get ready to leave myself.”

Alex smiled, but he was mentally fighting off the awkward desire to see Claire just as comfortable around him as she appeared to be with Derek.

‘This is going to be an adventure,’ he thought as they got ready to leave.

***

The warm glow of lanterns and the scent of sizzling garlic greeted them as they entered Golden Jade. Mira rushed over, her apron dusted with flour.

“Claire!” Mira hugged her friend, then turned to Alex and smiled, “Table for two?”

“Actually, there will be three of us,” Claire corrected.

Mira shot her a look and muttered, “Who’s the third wheel?”

Claire let out a strangled, “Mira!” while Alex gave a little snort.

“We’re expecting Mr. Derek Kang to join us,” Claire gave her friend a pointed glare.

Mira’s face lit up. “Well, in that case, let me seat you in the VIP section!”

Claire laughed, “You mean the table right next to the kitchen?”

“Of course, easy access and faster service!” she answered with a wink.

“Did I hear ‘easy access?’” came a familiar voice behind them.

Mira turned to greet Derek. “Ah, the champion returns. Still glowing over your Dragon Fire Noodle victory?” She waved for them to follow her to their table.

Derek bowed theatrically as he followed right behind Mira. “What can I say? I live for seemingly impossible challenges.”

Alex rolled his eyes as they took their seats.

Mira caught him mid-roll and chuckled, “Well, Alex, will you take on the Dragon Fire Noodle Challenge?” she teased him as she nudged her friend. “I’m sure Claire will happily cheer you on.”

Claire blushed, laughing nervously. “Oh, Mira…”

Derek leaned across the table, voice dripping with mischief. “I may have to take the challenge again just to hear you and Mira cheer for me one more time.” He looked up at Mira and winked.

With a huge grin Mira asked, “Shall I get you all the House Special Set?”

Claire looked relieved at the change of subject. “Yes, that will be perfect,” she cleared her throat and added slyly, “extra dumplings, please.”

“You got it,” Mira tapped her friend’s shoulder and headed for the kitchen, yelling, “House Special Set for three, please!”

“Oh, Claire is here? Who is she with?”

“Don’t be nosey, husband. She is with two men. Not our business!”

“What?!” A loud clang vibrated out of the kitchen, quickly drowned out by Mira’s hysterical laughter.

“I can hear you, aunty and uncle!” Claire called back, her face on fire.

Derek pulled out a chair for Claire and promptly sat next to her, forcing Alex to begrudgingly sit across from her. While they waited for their food, Derek casually monopolized his conversation with Claire, leaving Alex to sit silently and wait for a moment to be included.

Mira finally arrived with their food and made a show of placing the dishes extravagantly on the table like she was a five-star chef presenting her special menu to distinguished guests. Alex watched Derek immediately follow Mira’s lead, transforming himself into a skeptical food connoisseur.

Alex watched Claire laugh at the antics, chiming in with an occasional remark of her own. He admired the curve of lips as they tilted upwards into a hearty smile and enjoyed the way it caused the lines around her eyes to crinkle with laughter.

All through dinner, Alex clenched his chopsticks, trying to focus on his food. But every time Derek leaned closer to Claire or made her laugh, his jaw tightened. It was only when Mira would stop by to check on them that Derek would turn his attention away from Claire to flirt with her friend.

Mira stepped beside Alex and bent down to whisper with a sly smile, “You’re not very good at this are you, even with the assist you’re getting?”

She quickly straightened up and addressed her friend, “Claire, I think someone is feeling a little left out tonight.” She looked pointedly at Alex.

Claire’s cheeks flushed pink, and Alex nearly choked on his tea. Derek, delighted, raised his glass in mock salute. “To suffering in silence!”

Alex glared daggers at his cousin as he wiped his mouth. “It seemed impolite to enter a conversation I’m obviously not invited into.”

Derek’s hand shot to his chest in mock horror. “I would never think to hog the attention of your favorite person!”

“Derek, cut it out!” Alex growled back, fists clenched and face reddening.

“Okay, okay,” Derek winked, putting his hands up in surrender. “I’m going to take care of the bill, you two can head out.” He stood up and followed Mira to the counter.

As Alex and Claire headed to the door, Derek waved them off with a wink. “Keep it PG, my guy.”

Alex ignored him, turning to Claire. “Let me give you a ride home. It’s late.”

She hesitated, then smiled softly. “I appreciate that.”

With a sheepish grin plastered to his face, Alex guided Claire to his car.

‘Okay, Alex, be smooth. Be a gentleman. Show her you’re reliable, not a womanizer like Derek.’

He took a deep breath and opened the passenger door for Claire.

“Thank you,” she said with a hint of shyness.

She was close enough that he could smell her tropical-scented shampoo. And it caused a reaction in his body that he wasn’t ready for.

‘Ugh, reign it in, tiger,’ his mind scolded his body.

As she passed him to get in, her shoulder lightly brushed against his chest. That was his breaking point. Before his logical mind could stop him, he gently grabbed her arm, stopping her from getting in the car. She looked at his hand and then looked up at him, confusion touching her features as the street lights painted shadows across her face.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, furrowing her brows.

How he wanted to kiss that space between her eyes right now. His words spilled out before he could think.

“Claire…I was going insane watching you and Derek together. You were so comfortable with him, just talking and…laughing, and—” he ran his other hand through his hair in frustration.  He looked into her eyes. “Can’t I be the one who makes you laugh?”

He watched her eyes widen, her lips parted in a gasp as she looked up at him, eyes searching. “Alex…”

There was a charged moment of intimate silence. Then, as if pulled by gravity, he leaned in. Mere inches away from her lips he paused. When she didn’t pull away or say anything, he closed the gap. Their lips met—tentative at first, then deepening into a kiss so passionate it erased the world around him.

When they finally pulled apart, Claire raised her hand to his cheek and whispered, “You do make me laugh, Alex. It’s just…you make me feel other things too.”

And for the first time since Claire came back into his life, Alex felt like his greatest wish came true.