Drawn To You (Taking Chances #3) (2 page)

He brushed off an orange Kit Kat wrapper stuck to his pressed shirt. “Hey now, settle down, Firecracker. I could arrest you for assaulting an officer.”

Heat flared from her neck up to her cheeks, likely causing her complexion to match the red highlights in her hair. Oh, how she hated his nickname for her. “Oh, please. Assault you with what—paper cuts? Or maybe the overpowering aroma of chocolate? If you want to arrest me, Squealer, go ahead. It’s not the first time you got me put in handcuffs.”

“Now, now, there’s no need for name-calling, Miss Koo. We’re both adults here.”

“You started it.” Sam wrinkled her nose at how juvenile she sounded. Why did he have to bring out the worst in her? And how did he manage to look so cool and composed? It wasn’t fair. She swiped at some wisps of hair that were stuck to her damp forehead. “I don’t know why you enjoy tormenting people. What did I ever do to you?”

“Someone has a short-term memory. Need I remind you that you left me to do all the experiments in chem class and then tried to copy my answers? We weren’t assigned as lab partners so you could flirt with the jocks while I did all the work.”

“Ah! I see what’s going on. You were jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“Of all the attention I got. Admit it. You’re still jealous I got elected Student Body President and you didn’t.”

“You got lucky. There were more guys than girls at school. Of course they voted for the prettier candidate. It was a no-brainer.”

Sam covered her open mouth to feign shock. “Did you just say something nice about me? What’s the catch, Lucas? Do you have a hidden police cam on you?”

“I said you’re prettier than me, but we both know I’m the more handsome one. Let’s not forget who got crowned Homecoming King.”

A genuine smile crossed Sam’s face for the first time that day. Lucas was still as charming as ever, in an annoyingly appealing kind of way. “You’re still such a dork. We both won that night. I was Homecoming Queen.”

“I remember. It was the one time we didn’t try to kill each other.”

“You almost maimed me with your gigantic lead feet. Come on, how hard is it to slow dance without stepping on your partner’s toes?”

“Apparently, very hard when the girl doesn’t allow you to lead.”

Sam crossed her arms and faked a laugh. “Ha! You just don’t know how to handle a strong, independent woman.”

“I think the word you meant to say was stubborn.”

Choosing to ignore his comment, she continued, “That’s why you always dated mousy girls who followed you around like robots. Yes, Lucas, whatever you say, Lucas,” she imitated in an emotionless voice. “I’m sure that made it easy for you to take charge. Sounds like a boring relationship, if you ask me, but whatever floats your boat.” She paused as a memory came to her. “Say, who was that girl you took to Senior Ball? Linda? Lana?”

“Lauren.”

“Yes, Lauren.” The telltale twitch of Lucas’s jaw muscle confirmed the fact that she had struck a nerve. Gone were her plans of avoiding a citation, but she didn’t care. The joy of egging him on was worth every penny she’d have to fork over later. “We had a few classes together, but I don’t think I ever heard her say a word. Talk about quiet and submissive. Whatever happened to her?”

“I married her.”

“Oh, wow, I had no idea.” She spotted his left hand resting on the window frame. No ring. “Guess things didn’t work out? Sorry about that.” Despite their history of bad blood, she would never wish a failed marriage on him. She knew the pain of lost love all too well. The somber expression on his face added to the guilty, unsettled feeling in her stomach. She decided it was time to play nice. “That’s totally her loss.”

“Thanks. But the loss was mine.”

“If you say so.” She admired how he didn’t speak badly of his ex. It took a lot of courage to show grace, something she knew she needed to practice more of. She might as well start now. Sticking out her hand, she gave in, “Just give me the ticket. I broke the law; I deserve it. Write me up before I change my mind.”

“Are you serious? You’re going to let me win?”

The sparkle in those mesmerizing light brown eyes tugged at her heart, and she was speechless for a moment. Darn those emotions. Old habits died hard, but she could fight harder. She was not going to let him affect her. “No, no way. I wouldn’t call it a win, more like a temporary cease-fire.” Narrowing her eyes, she added, “But I can’t guarantee I’ll back down next time.”

“All right. Contrary to what you may believe, I do like a good challenge. Especially with an equal opponent.”

Before she could answer, Lucas’s walkie talkie crackled to life. A female voice came over the line.
Code purple at Lincoln High School. Possible gang fight. Two officers on site requesting backup.

Lucas listened and responded, “Ten four. This is four-five-one. On my way.” He gave Sam a nod before placing his sunglasses back on. “I need to run. Make sure you get that registration renewed.”

“Of course. I promise.”

“Today, Sammie. You won’t get a free pass from me or anyone else if you get pulled over again. Understood?”

Giving her most innocent smile, she cooed, “Yes, Officer Choi.”

“It was good seeing you, Firecracker. Take care of yourself and stay out of trouble.”

“You too,” she called out as he walked away.

She watched his car drive off in the rearview mirror and, for a moment, contemplated what other laws she could break to see him again.

TWO

Three hours later, Sam was a law-abiding citizen once again. That is, if you didn’t count the eviction notice plotting her demise in the glove compartment. She still had thirty days left to vacate the building she was renting for work, so she hadn’t broken any laws … yet. Although at the rate her morning—and life—was going, she could foresee another visit from the police in her future.

She started her studio two years ago to teach art classes and host creative birthday parties. The first year had been wonderful, in other words, profitable. Advertising at the local elementary and preschools had generated enough business to require two full-time assistants. She even planned to relocate to a bigger location.

Then came tax season.

Problem number one was not hiring a professional to do the job. When she finally dished out the money for a CPA, problem number two surfaced. She had as usual misplaced her receipts so she couldn’t write off as many of her expenses as deductions. And problem number three was owing the government more money than she had anticipated—or saved.

Darn those Nordstrom half-yearly sales.

At this point in her life, she was lucky to have one very part-time college kid left on her payroll and a month’s supply of ramen noodles in her apartment. And, lest she forget, the great pleasure of running into Mr. I-Have-My-Life-Together this morning.

Seeing Lucas Choi had been a wake-up call to how pitiful her life had become. Three and a half years of college with no degree to show for it. A business on the brink of bankruptcy. Zero prospects in the area of love.

She was only twenty-eight, but she was tired. Tired of struggling. Tired of failing. And tired of being a one-woman show.

Sighing, she pulled her car into the corner parking lot of her workplace, grabbed her belongings as she got out, and kicked the door shut with her leopard print wedge. She squinted against the midday sun and eyed the new green vehicle registration sticker on the license plate
. What a waste of time. At least it complements the car.
Satisfied with its placement, she strode to the front door of a brick building.

“Thanks for holding down the fort, Monica,” Sam called out to the bubble gum chewing young woman at the front desk. “That was some line! I had to wait an hour in the sun like a crayon left to melt on the sidewalk. At least I got to hide under the umbrella of the Chinese lady in front of me.”

She dropped her belongings on a table and tilted her face up toward a vent overhead. The tension in her shoulders eased as cold air blew down and separated her cotton blouse from her sticky skin. Smiling, she soaked in the perk of having central air conditioning at work. It wasn’t the only reason she liked coming to the studio though; it was her own slice of paradise. She had chosen the location for its floor-to-ceiling windows, and had painted the walls a shade of cloud white to enhance the room’s brightness. It was the ideal setting for creativity, both for herself and her students. A few quiet minutes in the studio could shift her mood entirely. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Several popping sounds, followed by a grunt, emerged from Monica’s mouth. The landline on the desk rang, and she picked it up. “Junior Picasso,” she mumbled. “No. Uh-huh. Okay. Bye.”

Sam arched an eyebrow at the curt response. It was a good thing she had hired Monica for her artistic talents and not her communication skills. “Who was that?”

“Your sister.”

When Monica didn’t elaborate, she pressed further, “Mel or Billie?”

“Uh …”

It was a good thing she wasn’t paying her much either. “Did you hear kids in the background or the buzz of a dentist’s drill?”

“Kids.”

“That would be Mel. What did she say?”

“She said she’ll be here soon.”

Sam’s mouth dropped open at the complete sentence. “Great. Anything happen while I was out?”

A single shake of her assistant’s pink dyed head gave her the answer. She checked the artist palette clock hanging on the wall. “Go ahead and take a break. When you come back, I’ll need you to pack up the supplies for tomorrow’s party. And change out those pictures.” She pointed to the area where her students’ artwork hung on wooden clipboards nailed to the wall.

Monica popped her gum in affirmation and walked out the door as a young brown-haired boy bounded in.

“Auntie!”

“Benji, hi!” Sam scooped her nephew into a bear hug, lifting him off the ground. She planted a kiss on his head and breathed in his familiar scent of sweat and maple syrup. “Where’s your mom and sister?”

“Dunno.” He struggled out of her embrace and ran toward a table with colored stools.

“We’re here,” a heavily pregnant woman called out from the doorway. “Always ten steps behind him.” The pig-tailed toddler holding her hand stumbled toward Sam with a big grin on her face.

“Hiya, Ellie belly,” Sam called out as she tickled her niece’s stomach and kissed her berry-stained cheek. “Go sit with your brother. I’ll bring the finger paints over.” Eyeing her older sister’s growing stomach, she asked, “How long now till the big day? You look about ready to explode.”

“Three more weeks,” Melanie panted as she sat down on a wooden bench, “assuming he doesn’t stay past his due date.”

“If that kid’s smart, he’ll stay inside as long as he can.” Addressing her sister’s tummy, she warned, “It’s a cruel, cruel world out here, buddy. Enjoy your safe haven while you can. At least your landlord won’t fine you for staying too long.”

“You’re talking about being evicted, aren’t you? Did you talk to Ma and Ba yet? You don’t have much time. If you want to save this place, you have to get the money together quickly.”

“The last thing I want is another “I told you so” lecture from Ma. She’s got her whole Bible study praying for her daughter who dropped out of college to be a painter in Paris and didn’t even come back with a French husband. She already thinks I’m a failure for being single; I don’t want her to find out I’m losing the business, too. I’d never hear the end of it!”

“Come on, Ma’s not that bad.”

Sam groaned. “Are we talking about the same woman?”

“Okay, so she can be dramatic, but you have to admit she’s calmed down over the years. She’s now open to you having a non-Chinese husband.”

“Only because you married a white guy and Billie’s engaged to one. At this point I think she’d be happy if I married any male with a pulse.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Last night at dinner she listed off all the single men at church, including the
widowed
ones.”

“You wouldn’t want to marry a guy who’s been married before?”

“Not when they’re balding and almost the same age as Ba. And not if they’re looking for a replacement mother for their kids.”

“You should have more sympathy. Imagine losing your spouse and being left to raise your children by yourself.” Melanie wiped at her eyes. “Just thinking about it makes me emotional.”

“I think it’s those pregnancy hormones talking.”

“Don’t change the topic. You really shouldn’t limit yourself. The pool of available guys grows smaller as you age. And don’t forget, your biological clock is ticking.”

“Thanks, Dr. Peters, for telling me what I already know. And stop giving out medical advice on your maternity leave. I’m in no rush to get married. I’m not even sure I want kids.”

“Why wouldn’t you? Benji and Ellie love you. Your students do, too.”

Removing two plastic smocks from a wall hook, Sam brought them over to her niece and nephew and placed them over their heads. “That’s because I’m the
fun
aunt and the
fun
teacher. Can you picture me as an overbearing mother?” At the sight of her sister’s frown, she corrected herself. “I meant
responsible
mother. Worse yet, a stepmother? It’s hard enough taking care of your own kids, but someone else’s? No way. I have a hard enough time taking care of myself.”

“That,” Melanie piped up, “is a good point.”

Sam took a box of finger paints from a cabinet and set it on the table. She faced her sister with her hands on her hips. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“I was just agreeing with you. You’re right. Now is not the best time for you to start dating. You have enough to think about with your finances.”

“Not to mention getting pulled over.”

“Sam! Were you speeding again? You’re always trying to run those yellow lights.”

“I was driving at the speed limit for once in my life. I just forgot to renew my registration. But you’ll never guess who the cop was.”

“Who?”

“Lucas Choi.”

“Wasn’t he the guy you asked to prom, but he turned you down?” Melanie’s eyes widened as she continued, “And the one who called the cops to break up that party where you got arrested?” Shaking her head, she eyed her younger sister with stern disapproval. “Underage drinking, Sam. I still can’t believe it. What were you thinking? You’re lucky the police released you to me. Ma would have disowned you if she found out!”