Chapter 2The Leftovers

I never knew Jimmy could be so efficient.

Last night, I couldn't squeeze out a single tear to mourn my wasted years. I just kept wondering, numbly, if my feelings for Aiden had already died out long ago, in all those years of hopeless pursuit.

Then this morning—early, like, crack-of-dawn early—my mom started banging on my bedroom door. Each knock was louder than the last, like a death march.

"Mom, what is it? It's the midd—"

I threw the door open, my hair a mess, but before I could finish my complaint, she clapped a hand over my mouth.

"Honey, you… you need to get washed up and come downstairs. Now."

I blinked, my eyes heavy with sleep. "What's going on?"

"Your boyfriend is here to ask for your hand!" she whispered excitedly in my ear.

My mom was always nagging me to date and get married, even threatening to set me up on blind dates. Seeing Jimmy here, making a formal proposal, must have been her dream come true.

"Huh?"

The words shocked me fully awake. No way.

I crept to the top of the stairs and peered down. The living room was filled with familiar faces, and a pile of gold bars gleamed under the crystal chandelier.

I showered, did my makeup, and changed in record time. When I came downstairs, Jimmy's mom, a warm smile on her face, beckoned me over. "Stella, come have some breakfast first. Your uncle and I picked it up from the dim sum place on our way."

Then she turned to my mom, her expression apologetic. "Sarah, I'm so sorry for showing up so unannounced. We must have startled you."

"Oh, don't be silly!" my mom laughed. "We've watched these two grow up. If they want to join our families, I couldn't be happier."

"Exactly," my dad chimed in. "We're practically family already. Who needs all those formalities?"

Jimmy was sitting ramrod straight in a formal suit, his red hair slicked back.

"You work fast," I whispered, sitting down next to him and popping a shrimp dumpling in my mouth.

He leaned in. "Well, I saw my brother was out of town. I figured if he came with us to propose, it might make you uncomfortable."

I just raised an eyebrow and said nothing. Our parents were already enthusiastically planning the wedding.

"I think the fifth of next month is a great day," Jimmy's mom said. "The almanac says it's auspicious for marriage."

"Yes, yes, a lucky day!" my mom agreed.

"Great, then it's settled…"

Jimmy and I stared at each other, stunned. "Why are they in a bigger hurry than we are?" I mouthed.

He whispered back, "They're probably both terrified we'll bolt."

That actually made a lot of sense. My mom was constantly sighing about how "young people these days just don't want to get married."