Suri’s Sure Thing – Chapter 5

“Wouldn’t it be rich if he stood me up right now?” I laugh over the top of my saké cup and wink at my sister, Myra, as she dries off glasses behind the bar.

“He was never on time, ever, remember?” Her smile is nostalgic. I dated Leo for three years, so everyone in the family knows his specialties and quirks. His specialties include being the perfect host and drinking partner, and his quirks include telling tall tales and being late.

“I remember,” I say, lifting my cup in a mock toast.

I chose the restaurant for tonight’s date because I was not going to get roped into a fancy romantic dinner on this one. No way. I love Izakaya Tanaka for its casual, laid-back atmosphere, and with Myra here, I can always get away from Leo if I need to. Myra’s boss, Mrs. Tanaka, will also keep an eye on things from her perch by the front door.

Not that I’m worried or anything. But when Leo drinks too much, he can get a little sloppy. Maybe he’s changed, though? A lot can happen in two years.

Myra pushes a small bowl of chicken innards across the bar. “For Finn.” She smiles as she waves. “I’m needed back in the kitchen. Signal to Mrs. Tanaka if you need either of us.”

“Thanks.” I grab a piece of chicken and feed it to Finn under the bar.

“Thank you, thank you, Suri. Delicious.” He licks his lips and looks up at me. I grab another, and he inhales this one too.

“Be careful, buddy. You don’t want to choke on it.”

“I choked on that squirrel just one time, just one time.” And despite the annoyance in his voice, he’s still smiling up at me, hoping for more. “I’ll read Leo for you tonight. I’m real good, real good, at reading him.”

This is true. Finn can pick up on even the slightest gestures from humans, people he knows, and those he does not. He’s very perceptive. I told my mom once that I thought he would make a good police dog. They could stick him in interrogation rooms with suspects and know immediately if someone was guilty or not.

“Thanks. Good idea, Finn.”

I move over to an open table just as the door to Izakaya Tanaka opens. Mrs. Tanaka calls out a greeting as she rushes over. Ah, Leo has finally arrived. Only ten minutes late. How kind of him to be somewhat on time.

Mrs. Tanaka remembers Leo too, and they greet each other and chat for a moment. My breathing speeds up, and my hand trembles as I bring the saké cup to my lips again for a sip. I had forgotten, even after last night, how handsome he is. Leo turns heads wherever he goes. Two women near the front of the restaurant are eyeing him now. They whisper behind their hands and smile over at him. But he catches my attention, smiles, and waves. The women’s smiles turn to frowns, and their shoulders sink.

Sorry, ladies. He’s here to see me.

My mini-tablet buzzes as Leo breaks away from Mrs. Tanaka.

“Hey, I hope you’re okay. I wanted to check in after last night. Leo and I spent the evening at the casino, and I’m a little worried. Can you call me when you get a chance?”

Hmmm, what could this be? Worried about what? This is just like Erik, to not say what I need him to say.

“Worried about what?” I write back, but Leo arrives at the table, so I slip my mini-tablet away.

“Hi.” I try to put as much warmth into my smile as I can. I flash back to my weeks — no, months — of crying after he left me. Don’t let that smile fall, Suri.

“It’s good to see you.” He leans over the table and goes to kiss me.

No.

I turn my cheek, and his lips land close to my ear. He laughs and squeezes my shoulder as he pulls away. “Too soon, huh?”

Ugh. His rogue smile and confidence rub me the wrong way. How did I ever find that attractive?

“I should think so.”

“Okay, okay,” he pleads, holding up his hands. “I don’t want this date to get off on the wrong foot.”

I’m about to correct him and remind him this is not really a date. But you know what? I see no harm in him thinking that. If he thinks it’s a date, so does my dad, and that means I gave it a real shot, right?

Funny that I’m already expecting the demise of this little adventure, and we haven’t even ordered dinner yet.

One of the waitstaff comes around, and we order food and drinks. The drinks come swiftly before we’ve even engaged in small talk, and I’m grateful for the carafe of saké I had before Leo showed up. Tonight, I think I’ll need both alcohol and ‘cake,’ our local herb we eat or smoke for relaxation. I sip on my drink and decide between two plans of attack — be sweet and simple and declare I don’t care for him or put him through the wringer.

“So, Tengōku, huh? You moved across the continent to get away from me, and now here you are.”

Looks like I’m aiming for option number two.

His face falls. “I guess you’re not going to make this easy on me?”

I press a smile between my lips and shrug. “What did you expect when you pulled this nonsense with my father?”

He sips his whiskey, sets the glass down on the table, and turns it around a few times. “That’s a hard question to answer. It’s a long story.”

I prop my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my folded hands. “Try me.”

He glances over his shoulder, and I wonder what he’s worried about. Finn is sitting at my feet and lightly woofs. “He suspicious, suspicious. Worried. Afraid.”

Leo glances at Finn before reaching out to stroke Finn’s head. “I always loved this dog. I wish I had paired with an animal. I keep trying. I visit places where I’ll be in contact more with different kinds of animals, but no. There are days when I believe my chip is broken. You’re so lucky.”

I should be angry with him for pulling on my heartstrings like this, but I know he genuinely feels this way. He always did when we were together.

“Your day may come,” I assure him. “So, tell me your long story. We have all evening and plenty of time here. Mrs. Tanaka won’t kick us out unless we’re dancing on the tables.”

“Hey, anything can happen.” He sighs before he sits back in his chair. “I broke up with you because your father asked me to. Did you know that?”

I close my eyes and swear under my breath. My father is such a butt. (That’s what Tilli likes to call him.) He sticks his nose in everyone’s business and doesn’t care about the consequences. And that’s why he went into politics and became the town mayor. Because he can’t help himself knowing what everyone else is doing and why.

Unfortunately, his own family suffers the worst under his meddling.

“No, but I’m not surprised. You up and left so quickly, I thought maybe you got in trouble with someone.”

“Only your father.” He shrugs. “Morata and Suga Law Firm offered me a job, and I was going to take it, too.”

I gasp and cover my hand with my mouth. “No. Morata and Suga? They represent some of the biggest companies on the planet.”

He nods. “Companies that don’t approve of the way your father handles politics in this town. He saw it as the end of his career if you and I stayed together.”

The food arrives, and we’re quiet as we arrange the small plates on the table. Chicken skewers, toasted sesame green beans, braised eel, and bowls of rice — all excellent choices. But I would rather be anywhere but here, listening to how my father killed a perfectly fine relationship two years ago because he was worried about his career. Leo didn’t want to break up with me. He wanted us to get married. But he knew how tight our family is and how he couldn’t go against my father’s wishes.

“He asked me not to take the job, and when I refused, he told me our relationship was over.” Leo shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have listened to him, but I panicked because they rescinded the offer of employment the next day.”

I have no words. None. I can only press my fingers to my lips.

“Then my landlord terminated my lease.” He scrapes his bowl into his mouth and sighs. “This izakaya always had the best food. I’m glad it hasn’t changed.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

Finn sits up. “Suri, don’t be sad. Leo is holding something back.”

Leo glances at Finn, probably wondering what Finn has to say, but I ignore the gesture. Sharing what your pair says is not always the right thing to do. The relationship between pairs is sacred. We only divulge what our animal has said if it’s appropriate.

Leo shrugs. “It was bad at first. I was sad we were over, and I wasn’t sure where to go once I had lost my apartment. That’s why I went to Tengōku. I figured going there meant I could start over. My first law firm gave me a decent recommendation, and I found a new firm to clerk at. All in all, it’s been a great few years. I was surprised to see your father show up at my workplace.”

“I bet, especially after what happened.”

“But he apologized and suggested you hadn’t been the same since we split. He invited me to come back. Honestly, I had no idea you still had it so rough. Erik never mentioned it.”

This warms my belly full of alcohol. My head is light, and my cheeks are on fire, but hearing Erik kept my private life from Leo makes me super happy. That’s sweet of him, and it was the right thing to do. I confided in Erik, and he held my confessions secret.

“Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I’ve been fine. Well, mostly fine. I work a lot, and I love my job, and it’s a secure career for me. I have my friends and family. It’s not a rocking good time or anything, but I’m happier than I was after you left.”

“It could be even better,” he says, reaching across the table for my hand. “I have a secure job too, and I still miss you. I look at your father’s meddling as a sign from the gods. It taught me what was important in life.”

I glance down at my hand in his, and though I’m warmed by his story and the copious amount of alcohol I’ve had, I feel nothing.

I pull my hand away and sip on my drink some more. Why don’t I feel anything towards Leo? I guess I put those feelings in a box and buried them. Erik would say I moved on, and he’s right. I have moved on.

Finn puts his head on my lap under the table. “No, no, no. Definitely, something’s not right with Leo. He’s trying too hard, too hard.”

My mini-tablet vibrates in my bag, and I suddenly remember Erik’s message from earlier. He was worried about me.

“I, uh, I need to use the bathroom,” I say, grabbing my bag. “I’ll be right back.”

“Sure,” Leo says. “Should I order more food or drinks?”

“Not yet.” I turn to Finn. “I’ll be right back, buddy. Wait for me here.”

Leo frowns but transforms his down turned lips into a slight smile before I leave. Finn rests his head on my chair.

In the bathroom, I pull out my mini-tablet and look at Erik’s messages. I asked, “Worried about what?”

He responded, “Worried that Leo is not what he seems. Last night, he wouldn’t answer my questions about his new job and then he stuck me with the bills at the bar. He wouldn’t gamble either, and you know what a lush for the craps table he was. I’m just… It doesn’t feel right. I don’t want you to get caught up in him again.”

Then, “Please call me when you can.”

I press my mini-tablet to my chest and look in the mirror. I would give anything to return to the table and have Erik be there instead of Leo. I’d rather talk about the latest manga publications and the newest hot restaurant in town with Erik than spend another moment talking to Leo. And if something about Leo is dodgy, then I want nothing to do with him. I have enough problems as it is.

Right now, I miss Erik’s smile and his calmness. I miss being near him. Leo is not who I’m in love with anymore.

Oh no. I press my eyes closed.

I’m in love with Erik.