Jessie carefully packed up Min Jun's first order while thinking back over the past week. She had learned Min Jun was born and raised in Chicago as the only child of a single mother. His mother was a dance instructor, so he grew up dancing and loved it. Luke and Hong Gi were the brothers he never had. He preferred chocolate ice cream, jazz to blues, and his all-time favorite movie was Die Hard.
He had learned her favorite color was blue, she preferred daisies over roses, cats to dogs, her bakery was her favorite place, and her grandmother was her role model. She hated artichokes. Now she had to come up with her sixth fact. Min Jun was due to arrive any minute now, and she had a wedding cake to decorate as soon as she saw him off.
"Jessie, pick up," Betty yelled from the front of the shop.
Min Jun. Time was up. She knew she could text him later, but then Jessie ran the risk of forgetting or Min Jun wanting to hold a conversation she wasn't ready to have still.
"One minute," she called back. She scanned the room for inspiration and froze on the wedding cake topper, an Irish crystal bell with the word love etched into it. She pulled a Sharpie out of her apron pocket and jotted down her personal trivia quickly on the inside of the cardboard box she had just filled before she lost her nerve. She put that box on top of two others and carried them out front to where Min Jun was waiting with Betty while Betty had Luke serving cappuccinos and scones to a table of college girls. Oddly enough, The Flour Pot's clientele had grown significantly younger and predominantly feminine since Luke took to spending time there.
She hated to admit it, but Jessie suspected a part of her would miss him when he returned to South Korea next week particularly now that he spoke to her respectfully, even if his eyes accused her of somehow scamming his friend.
Jessie considered hiring a college boy to replace him, but funds were stretched with adding Jakara to the payroll.
Plastering a smile on her face, she greeted Min Jun. "Here you go. Your full order, and something extra in the top box."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Take it before I change my mind." Jessie handed over the boxes, her eyes anywhere but on Min Jun.
This was hard. Opening up. Not that anything Jessie had told him so far was hardly a secret. It was the kind of stuff she imagined you would say to a blind date rather than someone she had made out with.
"Oh, I have something for you." Min Jun set the boxes on the counter and reached not his jacket for an envelope. "Our grand opening is next weekend. Jackson is closing for the night to attend. I was hoping you would come as my personal guest."
"I'm not sure." Jessie sought a good reason to say no. With the bar closed, she didn't have one. She could make an appearance and spend the rest of the night at home with her feet up. Oh, maybe Steph would give her a pedicure while they shared a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
"You can bring Steph or Betty if you like," Min Jun offered as he picked up his purchase. "But I'd rather have you all to myself."
A fire kindled deep within Jessie as she looked into Min Jun's eyes. How she loved those eyes. Almost as much as she enjoyed his lips.
The door flew open, and Liam stormed into the shop, brows furrowed. "Mom, how could you?"
The fire was immediately doused.
"How could I do what?"
"I went by the house to check on Jakara. She's got a burn on her wrist this big." Liam made a circle with his thumb and forefinger. "She said she burned it working for you."
Jessie nodded. "Yeah, she was taking some cupcakes out of the oven, and the oven mitt slipped. The burn is superficial—"
"Mom, she's pregnant. I expect you to take care of her. Let her work the cash register a couple of hours a week not put her in danger."
"Liam, Jakara wanted to work in the kitchen. I worked in the kitchen when I was pregnant with you. The danger is minimal."
Liam got in her face and tapped her head with his fist. "Hello. Is anyone home? For God's sake, Mom, this is your grandchild."
Min Jun grabbed his wrist before the words cleared his mouth, the boxes sitting on the counter again. "I don't care if you are Jessie's son. You touch her again, and you will find your ass on the ground."
Liam tried to jerk away, but Min Jun held tight. "Let go of me," Liam growled.
While Liam and Min Jun were close in height, years of football and weight training had bulked up the younger man, but Min Jun, his expression cold and hard, was able to force Liam's had to his side and backed him up two steps before he let go.
"Mom, who is this chump?"
Min Jun answered for her. "This chump is someone who knows how to treat a woman with respect, especially my mother. Do you?"
"How I treat my mother has nothing to do with you."
"It does now."
The bakery door opened, and two cops walked inside. Jessie recognized them as regulars and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Liam, I will talk to you at home after work. I think you should go now."
"What about him?" Liam nodded toward Min Jun.
"He is a customer and was leaving before you decided to make a scene."
"It's not my fault."
"It never is. Liam, go home. We can talk there."
Liam left with one last venomous glare at Min Jun as the shock wore off and Jessie began to shake. Never had Liam ever laid a hand on her in anger before. Sure, he had mouthed off lots of times, but actually putting hands on her was beyond upsetting even if he hadn't hurt her.
Where had she gone so wrong with him?
Min Jun engulfed her in an embrace. Her head rested against his chest.
"You're shaking. Let's get you in the back. Betty, can you bring her a coffee when you can?"
Min Jun led her into the back and sat her down on a stool. He squatted in front of her while still holding her hand. "It's okay. It's over."
Jessie shook her head. "No, it's not. He's never put his hands on me like that before. I don't know what to do. He's my son, but he scared me. Embarrassed me. In front of you."
Now she was really embarrassed. It was bad enough to have an adult child storm into her business and treat her like that in front of strangers, but Min Jun thought she was special, and now she looked like a weak mother.
Oh geez, she wanted to cover her face and hide, but Min Jun was still holding her hands, and if it weren't for those supportive hands, she would lose what little control she had left.
"Hey, hey, look at me," Min Jun urged. "I am worried for you. Let me take you to the police station for a restraining order."
Jessie shook her head. "I can't do that. He's my problem. I've got to deal with him."
"He could hurt you."
"He already breaks my heart. Nothing could be worse."
"I want to protect you."
"I know. But you can't protect me from this."
"If you will let me, I can."
"No, you can't because no matter what you do, he is my son. Win or lose, I will be hurt."
Min Jun paused as if looking for answers before nodding his acceptance. "Okay, then what can I do to help?"
Jessie gave his hand a squeeze. "You can prepare for your grand opening while I cope with my son."
"Will you be there for the opening?"
How could she say no now?