I usually don’t like it when a man won’t take no for an answer. It’s okay in books, but in real life, it’s like give up already. If a woman musters up the courage to give you a straight no, listen. Move on. There’s too many fish in the sea, you know? But in this scene, which picks up where last weeks’ blog leaves off, Tan is still shooting down Sinna’s objections like clay pigeons, God love him, and I am all the way here for it for one critical reason — she loves him. No ifs ands or buts. These two are meant to be, but what kind of story would we have if the woman didn’t put up a fight?
The picture is of South Korean actor Hyun Bin, who I can’t stop rewatching in Crash Landing on You on Netflix. The dimples alone …
XOXO,
SS
“My mother married a Greek man,” he reminded her. “And if my father hadn’t died she’d still be married to him. She will welcome you. She’s been dropping hints for weeks that she wants to meet you. My grandmother too. They think you’re chic and elegant, and they love what you’ve done for me and the boys appearance.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“They won’t mind you marrying an older woman?”
He shook his head hard. “They were shocked to find out your age; apparently you look younger than me. My mother said, “I thought those conservative outfits were just a ruse to get people to take her seriously.”
Sinna laughed with delight. “Really?”
Really.
“And if we go that route, they won’t mind you having a Black baby.”
“No! They just want the baby,” he laughed.
“Our baby would probably be pale because you’re so pale, and mixed kids are often light. But I’m a comfortable shade of brown. So, you never know.”
“They don’t care what color it is,” he insisted. “Just get it here.”
Sinna laughed, resting her forehead against his. “You’re a trip,” she said softly. “You make it all sound so easy.”
“It doesn’t have to be hard, darling,” he said urgently. “Let’s not create problems before they present themselves. What’s the phrase, don’t borrow trouble?”
Sinna nodded. “Yes. That’s it.”
“I’m sorry I proposed like this.”
“It was perfect.”
“Really?”
“Hey, I asked, you delivered. We both know I’m not one for romantic bullshit. As high profile as we are, some outside scenario was out of the question anyway. It would have been all over the internet. For me, this doesn’t get much better.”
He let out a relieved breath, and she chuckled softly. “You’re wonderful, baby. A truly beautiful man, inside and out. I’m sorry that I can’t say I love South Korea. But for me this is still a place to visit, not to nest. Maybe that will change, but right now I still feel very transitory.”
“Maybe that will change once we marry. We could buy a new home. That might help you to put down roots. But even if it doesn’t, I don’t care where we live. I just want to be with you. I learned English for you. I will move for you.”
“I don’t want you to have to do that, Tan. I already feel bad that I still can’t speak Korean very well.” She hadn’t told him that was low key deliberate.
“You’re learning more all the time,” he defended her.
“I just don’t think you’ll be happy in another country.”
“Of course I will! I’m not in South Korea that much now. We tour constantly, and even when we’re not touring, I work all over the world.”
“But mostly all over Asia.”
He sighed. “Yes, I suppose that’s true, but I’m getting more American and European offers now because of you, and so are the others. Plus, this next global tour is our biggest one yet. If the new music continues to do well, I think the world may be our oyster after this. So, if you want to travel, you can do that by my side.”
“You make it sound like love is gonna conquer all. But I’ve been around a little bit longer than you, baby. I know for a fact that’s not true.”
“It could be,” he whispered. “We can make it true. We can do whatever we want, Sinna. As long as we’re together.”
He sighed when she still looked unsure.
“Remember what you said when that basketball player died a few months ago?”
“Kobe Bryant?”
Yes. “You said, ‘life is so terribly short. You never know what tomorrow will bring.’” You said something similar when your the actor died, Boseman?”
“Chadwick Boseman.”
“Yes, the King who only played the best, you called him. You said it’s best to live and love hard while you can. I learned that lesson when my father died, darling. I was young, but I will never forget how devastating it felt to kiss him goodbye, and then realize only a few hours later that I would never see him alive again. I adored him. I miss him terribly even now.
“I laughed with him every day. He hugged me, told me he loved me, and ruffled my hair, kissed my cheeks, every single day, multiple times each day, for the first 12 years of my life.” He shook his head. “He played with my brother and me, talked to us like little men, he liked us, sought us out to teach us things. I still feel cheated, like it wasn’t nearly enough. Like I should have held him more, got to love him more. I never want to feel regret like that again.
“Please, darling. Don’t even think about leaving me. I can’t bear it. I need you.”
Sherrod Story - Here lies your book boyfriend...naked. 