Short Soup by Coleen Kwan Read Free Book Online

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.