EXAMPLE PAGE - EBOOKS - THE PROMISE OF THE TEA GODS - Flipbook - Page 24
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H. K. O'HARA
muttered. “Why right now?” But business was business, so he answered
it.
Keeping an eye on his friend, Soo-kang tried to focus on both the
conversation he was having and whatever Binnie was doing. He still
couldn’t see the girl’s face, but when Binnie turned around again to push
the crowd back—giving them another command with the palms of his
hands—he caught a glimpse of the top of her head; and another girl,
standing behind her, putting headphones on her . . . What a strange thing
to be doing in the middle of what is obviously a crisis, he thought. Headphones? Seriously?
When the forever-curious had retreated a foot or two, Binnie turned
back to the girl. She fell against him. He grabbed her. Soo-kang’s right
foot shot out to take a step in their direction, but the voice coming
through his phone was rattling off questions—one right after another—
and he knew he had to answer them. He quickly drew his foot back, but
his eyes stayed right where they were . . .
A few onlookers decided to move on, leaving a narrow crack in the
crowd. Binnie turned the girl around so that she now had her back to
him. Slowly, he removed her sweater. As it dropped to the ground, Sookang shivered . . . Geez, it’s freezing out here, Binnie. What are you
doing?
Still on the phone, he watched as his most trusted friend knelt and
took off her shoes. Soo-kang cocked his head, wondering why Binnie
was doing such odd things—first the sweater, now the shoes—what in
the world is he doing?
He wished he had a better view, but all he could see was the back of
her right shoulder . . . her absolutely gorgeous right shoulder.
Soo-kang stared. The shoulder didn’t move. Neither did he. Time
stopped. He took a deep breath. Then, without realizing what he was
doing, he whispered, “I claim that shoulder.”
An agitated, “Are you still there?” pierced his eardrum.
“Yes,” said Soo-kang, crouching down and trying to erase the shoulder from his mind. “Yes, I’m still here. Yes, I’ve got it. Yes, I’ll be
there.”
