Chapter One
The morning light gleamed on the embossed ebony of the kanji letters. Helpless, she stared at the invitation.
“Trust me, Cin, Madame Evangeline will find the perfect match, and it’s for one night, so why not?”
Cindy rocked back in the recliner and shot her the evil eye. “Are you kidding me, Gwen? A sex date? For your wedding? Come on.”
“The only ones who would know are you, me, and your date. Believe me, this is not something I would advertise. Your secret is safe.”
“I don’t want to be the desperate maid of honor who needed a mercy date—it’s degrading.” Bolting out of her seat, she stormed toward the fireplace mantel, shielding her tears.
“Hey.” Gwen’s wounded voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Oh, honey.” She faced her, swiping at her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—it’s different for me.”
“So, you don’t think I was desperate then?” She crossed her arms and glared.
“Of course not. I’m such an ass.” Cindy hung her head and sighed. “Let’s be honest, you have always been far more adventurous than me.”
“Adventurous, I like.” Gwen gave her a big hug. “It’s time to start living again, my dearest friend.”
“With a one-night stand?” She let go then plopped down onto the couch, one leg tucked under her.
“It’s not marriage or anything. A step toward some joy in your life. Tatsu and I may have fallen in love, but it doesn’t mean every match Madame Eve makes ends up in a commitment.” She sat down and patted her friend’s knee. “Our situation is—unique. That’s all. There’s no pressure.”
“I don’t know.” Cindy glanced down at her bare ring finger.
“Listen, I know how much you and John loved each other; it’s a real shame it didn’t work out.”
“It was my fault.”
“How can a miscarriage be your fault?”
“Maybe I should have taken it easy.” She caressed her flat tummy.
“It’s not like you were out skydiving and drag racing. Look at me.” Gwen cupped her chin in her hand. “Your own doctor said it was nature’s way of saving you more pain down the road.”
“I understand there were too many things wrong with her development, it’s just—” A flow of tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Lots of couples survive a tragedy, even losing a baby. John wouldn’t allow himself to grieve and get past it like a real man. It was wrong, how he treated you afterward.”
“He was hurt.”
“So were you. When you needed him most, he bailed.” Gwen passed her the tissue box. “Then he went right out, picked up some young chick, and knocked her up. What a kick in the face.”
“He said he fell in love with her.”
“A nineteen year old? Maybe he enjoyed the milk and cookies at bedtime.” Her snarky voice rose. “He’s twice her age; it’s wrong on so many levels.”
At a sudden clatter over their heads, Cindy jumped. “What’s that?”
“Oh, Tatsu called in the cavalry to fix the roof. Hey, I’m gonna get some water, would you like any?”
“Please.” Dryness filled her mouth after the emotional upheaval.
As Gwen disappeared into the kitchen, Cindy went over to the closed curtains. She pulled them open and gasped.
“Oh, hey, sorry Cindy. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Yong’s muffled voice filtered through the glass.
Your sexy little smile doesn’t make up for the fright of finding a half-naked man in the front yard. She glared.
The stunned look on his face was brief, and then he busied himself on the ladder.
Shirtless, he stood on the metal steps, reaching above him.
She studied his sculpted pecs and chiseled abs through the clear barrier.
Damn he’s hot. And his bright green eyes are so intense. I’d love to get my fingers in his long, dark hair…what the hell is wrong with me? He was with Gwen, why would I even let myself think about him?
The lean, defined muscles in his arms and shoulders flexed as he worked, causing a stir deep inside her.
Gwen said the Chinese symbol on his chest means double dragon. I wonder if it’s double because he’s a twin?
“Beautiful, isn’t he?” She jumped at Gwen’s voice in her ear.
“Dammit, don’t sneak up on me. What the hell is it with you people scaring me?” She grabbed the bottled water, twisted the cap off, and took a long, cooling drink.
“I still don’t understand why you won’t ask him to be your date for the wedding. He’s going solo, too, and I think he likes you.”
“We are not discussing this again.”
“Fine, I’ll shut up about it.”
“Thank you.”
“But I think you’re missing out on something pretty wonderful,” her meddling friend whispered, eying the man candy out the window.
Cindy yanked the curtains closed.
“Man, you’re testy.”
“Enough of this self-pity; let’s fill out the questionnaire before I lose my nerve.” She blew her nose and walked over to the computer.
“That’s my girl, you won’t regret it.”
“Fine, but no ménages for me.”
“Don’t knock it. It had its perks.” Gwen’s mischievous smile made her chuckle.
“Pervert.”
“Sometimes!”
Cindy answered question after question while her friend leaned over her shoulder making helpful suggestions until she wanted to scream or hug her…or both. Finally, she hit send and leaned back in the chair, staring at the screen. An errant thought caught her attention.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I got the confirmation for our reservations.”
“You did?” Gwen squealed. “We got the villas?”
“Yup, who’s the best wedding planner and greatest friend ever?”
“Why, you are, of course.” Gwen handed her a cup of tea and plopped into the chair beside her, even though she couldn’t sit still. “Will you click on the link for me?”
“Again?”
“Please?”
“It’s perfect for you.”
The vivid photo popped up on the monitor, and they both studied the screen.
“Our reservations are in the VIP section.” Cindy traced the aerial map of the resort. “It’s quaint and authentic—perfect for a small wedding.”
“It’s amazing.”
“Nestled in the mountains, and right in the middle of the Beitou Hot Springs. I can’t wait to get into the water.”
“Thank you so much for arranging everything. It’s going to be wonderful.” Gwen beamed.
***
Madame Eve,
I need your help again. You saved my life not too long ago. Now I need to move forward. I know, with my legacy, I can’t date just any woman. I need another one-night stand, where my special circumstances won’t interfere. I have completed the required information and look forward to your reply.
My sincere gratitude,
Yong Li.
Still not confident with his words, he stared at the screen, sipping at his third cup of coffee.
“Are you okay, little brother?” Tatsu squeezed his shoulder and pulled a chair up beside him.
“I need to be.” He pressed the send button.
“I have a good feeling about this for you.”
“Don’t worry about me. We have two weeks before the big day. What else needs to be done? This is about you now.”
“We need to arrange a pick-up for Grandfather at the airport the day before the ceremony,” Tatsu said.
“It will be good to see him again.”
“I miss him, too.”
“So, the outfits, the caterer, the hotel…?”
Tatsu’s face lit up. “That’s the advantage of a destination wedding, an all-inclusive package. And our wedding planner looked after the other details.”
“Cindy did a great job, even though she struggled with the traditional menu. She said if it isn’t cooked, has more than four arms or legs, or jiggles, she won’t touch it. I take it she isn’t a big fan of shark and jellyfish?”
“Not really of a fan of seafood in general,” he laughed. “But she is incredible.”
“Yeah, she is.” Yong paused while her image lingered in his mind. “I wish I knew why she’s always so quiet around me, and she won’t even make eye contact. Did I do something wrong?” Gulping back the last of his coffee, he watched his brother.
“No, I don’t think so. She knows about our night with Gwen. I think it’s awkward for her. Gwen’s been trying to feel her out about you, but isn’t getting anywhere. Maybe she’s not sure how to take us, as a threesome, and now, a twosome and a single.”
“I get how that would seem strange. I’m grateful no one else knows, well, besides Grandfather.” Yong pulled the ring box out of his jacket and opened it. “I swung by the jeweler’s and picked these up for you, like you asked.”
“Thanks bro, they turned out perfect.” Tatsu took the smaller titanium circle and held it to the light then slipped it back in the box.
“The kanji love and dragon symbols were a nice touch.”
The absolute joy in his eyes. I envy him.
“Gwen got so excited when she found out about the new Castillo resort in Taiwan.” Tatsu eyed the metal rings again.
“That’s wild.”
“We did a virtual tour online. Chinese Imperial architecture, but with all the modern amenities.”
“It’ll be nice to get away. I can’t remember the last time I went on vacation.”
“Me either, the honeymoon suite is—” Tatsu’s eyes widened and cheeks flushed. “Sorry, never mind.”
“Listen, I’m not too sure about setting my date for your wedding night.” He extended the ring box toward his brother.
“The rings are the best man’s responsibility.” Tatsu waved it off with a grin. “Gwen and I talked about your date. It’s away from home, so it will be discreet, and it will help you with closure.”
“I have closure.” Yong headed to the kitchen counter to refill his coffee.
“Hey, I can’t imagine letting her go. We both recognize how hard this is for you.” Tatsu followed him to the island and sat down.
“It’s fine. I’m so happy for you guys.” And only half lying.
“Hey, be careful it’s—”
Yong took a gulp of the steaming brew and set the mug down.
“It didn’t burn your mouth, huh?”
“No, I’m all right.” He pulled the cream out of the fridge and poured some in, lifting the cup for another sip.
“It should have hurt—you’re sure it didn’t?”
“No.” He winced as a white hot flash shot through his chest.
“Then you aren’t fine, little brother. You’re fired up. The dragon is rearing its angry side.” Yong glanced into his mug where the liquid had begun to bubble and steam and then into his reflection in the microwave window over the stove. To his horror, his pupils were almond shaped. I have to pull the dragon back.
He put his cup down and inhaled deeply, working to smooth his frustration. Feeling more in control, he spun around to face his twin.
“Look, I’m working through this; I want you two to be happy.” He dropped into the other chair. “I get it, I swear I do; the night when she saved your life with the dragon’s breath, it forged the mating bond. You don’t have to remind me it’s for life.”
“She bonded with you, too, just in a different way. She was your first, and it was a night none of us will ever forget.”
“Maybe I need to try, for all our sakes.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Tatsu’s brow lowered.
“I didn’t want to say anything until after the wedding.”
“About?”
“I got a job offer with the music department at UCLA, and I think it would be good for me to accept it.”
“Awesome, why wouldn’t you want to tell me?” Tatsu flashed him a stern glare. “Oh, you want to move to Los Angeles.”
“Don’t take it the wrong way.”
“You want to move away from us. What could I possibly take the wrong way?”
Yong rubbed his throbbing forehead. “I need some time to adjust. That’s all.”
“I never meant to hurt you.”
“I’ll be okay. It’s gonna take some time. I’m being sincere though. I want happiness for you both.”
“I know you do.”