Chapter 4: A Dog-walking Disaster – April 2, 2020
Hobi watched her with a sinking heart. She was clearly enamored of the handsome guy. But something about that guy rubbed him the wrong way. And he didn’t want to see Minsu left with a broken heart. Even if she had claimed simply friendship with him.
Of course, they’d just met yesterday. There was no way they’d be more than friends yet. But…hadn’t she just met this guy too? And she seemed to be into him already. Hobi had to admit that he was already into her.
Another series of calamities befell her that day. She tripped over a customer’s foot, and another tray of dishes went flying. She mixed up two orders and gave cow’s milk to someone who was lactose intolerant. She also somehow managed to clog the machine that mixed the smoothies. Hobi still couldn’t figure out how that had happened.
He was beginning to think that they made an extra tray of pastries each day just to apologize to her customers.
“This reminds me of my last job,” he murmured to himself as he leaned down to clean up her latest disaster.
More spilled coffee.
“Oh? You worked with a walking disaster then too?” she cringed.
He nodded. “A dog-walking disaster!”
“Huh?” She quirked one dark eyebrow as those beautiful, unusual eyes of hers speared him.
“I was a dog walker. And one of the dogs was this massive English sheepdog that chased, literally, everything. Including all the other dogs I walked! And that dog must have weighed ninety pounds! He was impossible for me to control. Though I tried valiantly.” Hobi chuckled ruefully.
“That dog was always escaping and often taking other dogs with him. Or he’d run in circles around me until all the leashes were tangled.” Hobi winced. “The last time I walked them, he caused a car accident, and one of the dogs was injured. So I lost my whole business. That’s why I took the job here.”
“Well, I sure hope I don’t cause you as many problems as that dog did. At least, I haven’t caused a car accident. Yet.”
Hobi glanced up sharply as he heard her discouraged tone.
“I didn’t mean — “
“It’s okay, Hobi,” she whispered. “I know I’m a mess.”
The years rolled away, and she was standing before him. As he ridiculed her for her clumsiness yet again.
“S-sorry, s-sir.”
She’d bowed so low, she’d nearly scraped the floor with her nose. Not that it had done any good. He’d simply scoffed at her and insulted her again.
“Stupid, stuttering girl! You’ll never amount to anything! You’ll grow up, and the only job you’ll be able to get will be working at a Starbuck’s! And you’ll be a disaster even then!”
Tears invaded her eyes. Her appa had been right. She was fulfilling his prophecy to a T. Except she hadn’t even been able to get a job at Starbuck’s. Only Heavenly Ground would take a chance on her. And they probably regretted it.
The owner had once known her mother. And been willing to give Minsu an opportunity. Binnarae was a very kind woman who always seemed to see Minsu as her daughter. It was the only explanation she had for still being employed here after a year of accidents.
“Hey,” Hobi whispered as he stood up and reached out to touch her arm gently. “What’s the matter?”
She shook his hand off and turned away. “Nothing. I’m fine, Hobi. I need to go start the dishwasher.”
She disappeared into the kitchen, and his heart sank again. Something had clearly upset her badly. She’d been crying. He was sure of it. The question was: how could he help her?
Not very easily if she kept hiding from him. He intended to follow her into the kitchen, but then the bell above the door jingled, and he had to turn back to help another customer.
—
They were removing their aprons at the end of their shift when his face brightened, and Hobi asked Minsu, “Wanna go for a walk with me and Mickey?”
She grimaced. “I would love to, but I’ve got to pick up my friend’s son from school again.”
“You do that for her often?”
She nodded. “Nearly every day. She’s a single mother. So she works a lot of hours to take care of him. But since I’m off by four most days, it works out perfectly for me to babysit him until she comes home in the evening.”
“So, you have a second job.”
“Not really. She doesn’t pay me. She can’t afford to. They already live in a run-down apartment.” She grimaced. “I talked her into letting me watch him for free after they moved. They used to live with me. I’m so sorry they ever moved out. But she really felt like she could handle it once he started preschool. I hope she knows what she’s doing. They’ve been on their own for about six months, and I think she’s struggling. But she won’t tell me.”
Hobi gazed intently at her. “You’re a good friend, Minsu.”
“Am I? I think I should have talked her out of moving. But she was so adamant. Occasionally, she has this inexplicable stubborn streak. Otherwise, she’s an absolute darling.”
“And is very lucky to have you,” he responded.
“Hey! I’ve found someone I can help without causing a disaster. I don’t know why, but when I’m around her and her son, I’m always at ease. I can do no wrong with them.”
“You can do no wrong with me either, Minsu. You’re flawless.”
Their eyes connected, and she felt something strange shift between them. Was this sweet guy developing a crush on her? She truly hoped not. He was adorable but, definitely, not her type.
Her eyes flicked over his wavy, brown hair, his wide brow, his straight nose, and his twin lips. He was quite good-looking, but he didn’t pull any of her cords. Not like that guy earlier. That guy touched every single cord of her soul. And a few she hadn’t even known she had. He yanked on them. Hard.
She smiled at Hobi. “You’re sweet.”
“I’m serious.” For once, he gazed at her soberly.
She turned back to the counter to help a customer who had, thankfully, just appeared. Their conversation had become uncomfortable. Hobi was too close to her toes. And she was weary of people stepping on them.
