We laid on our backs on the beach mat, staring up at the midnight blue sky. There were about 5 visible stars and the rest just distant lights, satellites, occasional planes. I put my hand up pretending to touch one of the stars as I closed an eye.

"Can you imagine what the world used to be like, when the night sky was littered with stars?" I asked.

Lao put his hand up too as if he could also touch the same star as me.

I took a deep breath and put my hand down. "What do you like about me?"

"Everything." He whispered confidently.

I turned my head slowly to take in his profile as he kept staring at the sky. He was such a beautiful man.

"I like the way you look." He continued. "I like your big expressive eyes. The way you smile. That mocking laugh of yours." He moved his hand slowly as if brushing the sky. "I like the way you act. The way you talk. That slight lisp of yours."

"I don't have a lisp." I murmured. Did I?

He ignored me. "You're kind, you're positive, you're encouraging. I like that you make people feel better about themselves without even trying."

My lips parted as my heart raced. I don't know what I expected him to say, but it was none of this.

Lao dropped his hand slowly. "I like how you look at me and you see me." He turned his head to face me. His eyes now holding my stare. "I like it all."

I smiled. "It could all just be infatuation." I whispered softly.

"It could." He whispered back, his hand reached for mine as he laced our fingers together, holding my hand securely. "It could also be more."

The heat from his hand warmed me as I couldn't help but keep smiling.

"Only time will tell." His thumb brushed over the back of my hand. "And so far time is very telling...that I'm pass infatuation."

I chuckled. "That was cute."

He grinned and scooted closer to me so he could rest his head against mine. "I'll go as fast or as slow as you want Aquina." He squeezed my hand.

I sighed. "I——" my voice trailed off.

He tilted our heads so we were making eye contact again.

I released his hand and sat up. With another big sigh, I hugged my knees to my chest as I stared up at the sky. "I can try and deny it all I want....but I like you Lao." I admitted. "I like you a lot." I whispered as I focused on the brightest star. "I like you so much more than I expected to, and it confuses me."

Lao sat up also, his arm brushing my own as he scooted more towards me as if not wanting to let any space between us.

"Because you also like Landon?"

"Yes." I admitted. "But also....i've tried this before——"

"Not with me."

I turned my head to look at him.

"I'm not him." He whispered.

I blinked and tilted my head slightly, narrowing my eyes just a fraction at him. "You're not who?"

"Your ex-husband." He answered. "It didn't work because it wasn't me."

I stared at him for a minute, and then some more. I inhaled deeply and shifted to face him completely. "Lao...." I started off. "How do you know I have an ex-husband and not just an ex-boyfriend?"

Lao blinked a couple times and then shifted his eyes to the sea before focusing them back on me. "Huh?"

I shook my head. "No huh." I crossed my arms over my chest. "You heard me."

He scratched his left ear. "I think you might have mentioned him or something."

I shook my head. "I don't talk about him."

"No?" He questioned and looked back at the sea.

"You looked me up?"

He didn't answer for a while and then shrugged. "Marriage and divorce are public records." He cleared his throat and shot me a look.

I arched an eyebrow at him and tilted my head. "You went out of your way."

He lowered his eyes, and rubbed an imaginary something on the beach mat.

"What else do you know about me?"

"Nothing."

"Lao."

"Anything you've put on the internet." He replied.

My eyes widened.

"Honestly, if you put it online, it's available forever. Nothing is ever really gone." He sighed heavily. "And stop browsing the internet without a VPN." He said in frustration. "Do you know how easy it is to get into everything?"

"You've gotten into my everything?" I asked slowly.

"I encrypted the café and your home WiFi so people could stop using it——"

"They're all already password protected." I exclaimed.

Lao scratched the back oh his neck. "Let me just take care of all of that for you."

I threw my hands up. "Okay yes....but also....Lao!"

He bit down on his bottom lip. "You're clean as a whistle, there's nothing incriminating about you anywhere."

I put my hand up and closed my eyes. "Let me ask you one question....and answer it honestly."

Because I had my eyes closed, I didn't bother waiting for his response but his silence was confirmation enough.

"Do you know my social security number?" I opened my eyes.

He waited for a second and then another before I saw him nod slowly. "But I swear, I didn't do anything. I didn't even mean to know it. I saw it on the paper and I remember numbers and...I..." he swallowed hard and looked down. "I just diversified your portfolio, especially with the new café." He mumbled.

"You what?"

He lifted his head. "You know digital currency is the future Aquina...you were just a little behind."

I stared at him in disbelief. I kept staring at his adorable mischievous pleading face. He knew he'd done wrong. But his eyes also wanted me to see he did it for me.

"He's always trying to impress you."

"He doesn't have to impress me."

I sighed. "Did you do anything illegal?"

"No." He said quickly. "I promise." He cocked his head slightly to the side. "You're not mad?" He whispered.

"Yes, I am." I scoffed. "That's invasion of privacy, but I also can't deny that I'm super impressed." I acknowledged. "My sister said something about diversifying my portfolio and bitcoin currency like 3 years ago."

Lao grinned. "I'll take care of that for you." He said excitedly.

I chuckled and shook my head, releasing a big sigh. "Of course, why not?" I shrugged. "Why not like a 21 year old hacker." I put my hands up in the air as if talking to the sky. "Stranger things have happened." We sat in silence for a couple seconds before I turned to look at him.

Who in fact was looking at me.

His eyes wide, his face innocent, the slightest hint of a boyish grin on his face.

"What?"

The grin grew. "I've never heard you say you like me." He explained. "You've said it four times tonight."

I frowned. "I have?" I cocked my head to the side, as I went over my words. I shrugged and accepted it. "I guess I did."

The way Lao's jaw drop was almost comical.

I snorted. He laughed. I joined. And for the next couple of seconds, we reined in our laughter, the smiles lingered on our lips.

"Can I come over tonight?"

I laughed again.

"Is that a yes?" He asked placing an arm around my waist, gently caressing my side. His gaze landed on me softly.

"You're just a little charmer aren't you?" I whispered, totally falling for his soft gaze, gentle whisper and light caresses.

"Am I charming you?"

I nodded.

His smile widened. "So why do you still like Landon so much?" He whispered, leaning into me, his lips brushed against my cheek.

"He treats me like a princess." I admitted, the words spilling forth without me really thinking about it. And guess what, it was true. It was actually true.

Lao paused for a minute and then took my hand once more in his. He looked at out hands as his thumb caressed the sensitive flesh. "I'll treat you well....princess."

I turned my hand in his and grabbed his hand. He looked up at me as I stared at him seriously. Heat rose from my belly, warmed up inside my ribcage and vibrated against my chest, causing my heart to feel as if it was swelling up. "Lao...."

He rested his head against my shoulder and grinned. "Can I sleep over?"

I turned slightly, my nose brushed against his, before I pressed my lips to his in response.

**

I stared at his serene sleeping face. I traced his slightly parted full lips with my index finger, as I watched the soft rose and fall of his tanned back. His hand draped lazily around my chest tightened around me. I gently pressed my hand against his warm cheek. He was in a deep sleep, but I had just woken up from mine.

I had another dream about him. This time we were swimming in the clearest water, I'd ever seen, under the bright light of the full moon. We were playing, we were happy, we were confiding in one another. Yes the scenery was beautiful and colorful, but it was the feeling. It was the sense of completeness I felt being there in that water with him. It had felt nostalgic and aching. Was it real? Was it him? Was it just a dream? Yet it had felt more real than this life.

I leaned into him, brushed my nose against his and pressed my lips against his. I felt his mouth move into a smile as he scooted me closer to him.

"Hmmm, not sleeping?" He murmured, eyes still closed.

"I am." I whispered.

He puckered his lips at me and I kissed him again softly. Running my fingers through his hair, before bringing him to rest his head against my chest. He sighed contently.

"You found me." He murmured sleepily.

"What?"

I waited for him to answer, but the way his breathing had softened, and his weight became heavier against me, I knew he'd gone back to sleep.

"I found you?" I whispered to him. I smiled amidst the soft sounds of his breathing and caressed his soft hair. "I found you."

**

"I'm sorry, there are no more seats, would you like it to go?"

"How long do you think it will be until the next available table?"

I grimaced as I looked around the café. "I'm not sure, we don't really give people a time limit." I admitted.

The young couple nodded and looked around wistfully. "It's such a nice atmosphere...maybe we'll get lunch and come back when you reopen in the afternoon."

I nodded. "That will be great, actually....do you want me to save you a table?"

"Can you please?"

I nodded happily and took down their information. They thanked me again before turning to leave. I smiled as I looked around the café. The jazz music playing in the background. The soft whispers of conversation. I rested my chin on my palm as I watched Lao kneeling next to two elderly ladies. They were talking animatedly, waving their hands around, patting his cheek, touching his shoulder. Honestly doing anything they could get away with because they were in their 70s. I knew those two rascals. They were his nana's friends. They started coming last month, and showed up every Saturday, Monday and Thursdays for their tea time. The waved me aside, always asking for Lao right away.

He truly had his own fan club. I wasn't sure if this café was for me, or if it was for him. It was for him. It was definitely for him.

I lifted my head to the chime at the door and smiled at the person who entered.

My heart rose, as I felt a spark of sadness. There was nothing wrong with him. Absolutely nothing. Landon smiled catching my eyes immediately. I'd called him this morning when we were opening the café, knowing he'd be back in town. I'd invited him out for lunch.

Just him and me.

He waved and I waved back as he made his way to the counter.

"You two are busy today."

"I know." I giggled. "I don't know what happened. It's been packed since we opened." I groaned. "I think lunch might be a little late."

Landon shook off my comment. "No worries, need a helping hand."

I gasped. "Are you sure?" I shook my head. "You don't have to—-"

"I'll be honored to." He said rolling up his pristine sky's blue Armani shirt. "Apron's in the back room right?" He asked as he made his way back.

All I could do was smile and nod as I watched him. Landon was such a great man. I continued to watch him until he disappeared in the back room. I sighed and turned around. Feeling eyes on me, I turned my head again towards the elderly ladies to catch Lao watching me. He quickly averted his gaze and stared at the ladies, nodding politely.

**

"Yes, thank you for coming. We'll open back up in 2 hours." I smiled and waved at the two pregnant ladies leaving and at the young college kid who'd wanted to enter. Sighing happily, I stepped inside and locked the door before turning to the Yang brothers.

We truly made a wonderful team. Me running the register, Landon taking orders, and cleaning, Lao preparing the teas. The flow had been so nice as if it had always been run with all three of us.

I tried to contain my giddiness as I walked up to Landon, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you ever want to quit being a lawyer...." I grinned. "You have a promising future in this little café."

Landon chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind." He untied his apron and smiled at me. "Should we head out?"

"Where are you two going?" I felt Lao's presence behind me, even before he spoke. His chest brushed against my shoulder as he put no personal space between us.

"We're going for lunch." I answered, turning my head slightly to look at him. I moved my body away for just a fraction of space.

Lao shot his older brother a look before looking back at me. "I want to come."

I opened my mouth and turned fully to him. I sighed. "Not this one."

"Why not?"

I took a deep breath. I felt his anxiousness. How to ease his mind without making Landon feel like shit? I opened my eyes wide, trying to make him understand. "Because...because I need to talk to Landon...only Landon."

Lao didn't answer.

Okay good. Hopefully he got it.

I turned around to Landon and smiled. "Sure. Let me go get my bag." I was going to treat him. He always treated me.

I barely finished taking the first step when Lao grabbed my hand. I turned to him in surprise.

"I want to come."

"Lao you can't come. Not for this."

"I'm hungry too."

"Can you stop?"

"No." He responded seriously. He held my hand tightly. "I can't. I don't want you to go with him. I don't want to pretend like I'm okay with it. I'm not. Give me a chance. Please."

"Lao...." I whispered surprised by the heaviness of his words.

"Aquina, I'll do anything to make you happy. I know Landon's great, but I can be greater. I swear. Just give me more time."

My heart broke at his words. My bottom lip trembled as tears ran down my face.

"Choose me." He whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "Choose me Aquina."

I opened my mouth, but heard Landon chuckle behind us. "You're so stubborn, you don't even realize, she's already chosen you."

I smiled softly at Lao as I tried to swallow back the tears. He stared at me as if Landon's words didn't register, before looking over my shoulder to his older brother and then back to me.

"Wh—-what?" He whispered.

"Stupid." I whispered to him as a tear rolled down my cheek. I squeezed his hand back in confirmation.

Lao blinked at me several times, his lips parting wider with each blink.

"When Aquina texted me this morning to ask me out to lunch, I was pretty sure that was the conversation we would have. When I came in before closing, my suspicions were confirmed." Landon explained. "You're so worried about me little brother, but you're the one she looks at."

I slowly turned my head to Landon in surprise. So he'd known.

Landon smiled softly at me and gave me a wink. "And I've enjoyed every minute of this dream."

I stared at Landon in confusion. What?

"You picked me?" Lao whispered in shock, squeezing my hand. I turned back to him.

"After last night, you really thought I wouldn't?" I asked in disbelief. It had taken everything in me not to tell him I love him, so as not to frighten the young man.

He chuckled, his face breaking out into a huge grin. "You chose me." He confirmed again.

I scoffed and shook my head at him. "Are you going to let me go now?"

"Never."

"You're not cute." I pulled but he held on to my hand.

Landon walked over to us, and put a hand on Lao's shoulder. "It's an honor to lose to you....again....prince."

I stopped moving because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Lao's tattoo, lifted off his body slowly, the red flames, wrapping around Landon, who inhaled deeply, with a satisfied sigh. His eyes closed and arms out, the flames engulfed him, replacing his body with that of a massive deep orange phoenix.

Wait....what? My mouth dropped as, my eyes shifted to Lao who seemed completely unaware, or unfazed, his eyes simply focused on me.

Hold up, hold up....what the fuck?

Was I dreaming?

Had I actually not woken up this morning? But I could feel Lao holding my hand...what the...what the hell was this?

Wake up!

The phoenix screeched loudly and flapped it's large wings. I gasped as it surrounded me, my eyes squeezing shut in fear, but all I felt was the warm embrace of familiarity and love.

Landon...I slowly opened my eyes, as the mystical bird entered Lao, who squeezed his eyes shut, and inhaled deeply. His hand released mine as he stumbled back.

"Lao...." I whispered, completely confused but intrigued, yet no longer afraid.

Lao grabbed his chest and exhaled deeply. His eyes slowly opened to reveal one light blue iris with a bright orange pupil.

Lao lifted his head to the ceiling and inhaled deeply, a satisfied smirk on his lips. He put his hand over his chest and patted it three times, before finally focusing on me.

I felt a deep wave of emotion pass through me as I swayed in my feet.

"Did you choose me princess?"

I gasped and ran to him. "La'oki."

La'oki laughed as I jumped into his arms. He spun us around as we hugged each other tight.

"Ho—-how—-wh—-what?" I stammered, but he crashed his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him as tears streamed down my face. "La'oki....La'oki...." I cried as I kissed him over and over again.

He chuckled as he pulled back slightly and cupped my face. "Did you miss me princess?"

I cried harder as I laid my head against his. "I don't understand what's going on..."

"Well then let's wake up, why don't we Aqu?"

I turned to Lao's grandmother, as she appeared before us, with her cane in hand. She tapped it and I gasped..... "Elder Kjuka...." I whispered emotionally.

She transformed into the familiar face I knew and smiled tiredly. She bowed slightly at me, as I felt something heavy on my chest. I heard the familiar song.

Still in La'oki's arms, refusing to let him go, in case he slipped away from me again, I looked down to see my crystal had reappeared. Shining bright and singing the most beautiful of melodies.

"I told them you'll pick me." La'oki whispered in my ear proudly before kissing my cheek happily. I looked to him as joy overflowed inside me. I looked around my café as it turned even brighter, shimmering as if nothing but a mirage.

"This isn't real—-?" I whispered, right before I felt myself get sucked back into complete darkness.