Page 61 of That Prince is Mine
One by one, everyone at the table joined in—even Auntie Soo—and they laughed until they had stitches in their sides. Emma sighed, dabbing at her eyes. “It’s still my favorite Caesar salad dressing. And I’ve tried that brand, so I know your secret ingredients make the dressing.”
After a hurricane of eating, catching up, and reminiscing, their conversation dwindled as they sat in a carb, cheese, and Chianti–induced stupor. Stifling a yawn, Emma decided it was long past time to switch to water. When Jeremy clinked his fork against his wineglass, she turned to him with sluggish curiosity, which sharpened into concern when she saw the terrified expression on her godbrother’s face. What in the world?
“I… have an announcement to make,” Jeremy said in an uncharacteristically small voice, fidgeting in his chair.
Emma wanted to ask him what was wrong, but she was afraid if she interrupted him, he might bolt from the table. She glanced at Auntie Soo and her dad, who both sat still and silent with their eyes glued to Jeremy. Clasping her hands tightly on her lap, Emma waited for her godbrother to continue.
“You guys are my family and I love you, and I know that you all love me, but there’s something you should know about me.” He drew in a long, tremulous breath, then words tumbled out of his mouth like water rushing past a broken dam. “I’m gay. I know it must come as a shock, but I hope you can accept me for who I am.”
There was a long, awkward silence at the table until the blood drained out of her godbrother’s face. Before he panicked in earnest, Emma rushed to explain. “We all know, oppa. Of course we accept you and love you. We always have. We just thought you knew that we knew. That’s why we’re so surprised by your announcement.”
Auntie Soo and her dad nodded in confirmation, soft, warm smiles lighting their faces.
Jeremy’s eyes rounded. “You guys really knew?”
“Of course I knew. I’m your umma.” Her godmother sniffled and squeezed her son’s hand. “I love you and I’m here for you. You know that, right?”
“I do,” her godbrother said, voice hoarse with emotion. “On that note, I also want to share that I met the most wonderful man in the world, and we… we’re engaged.”
“Oh my gosh. Congratulations, oppa.” Emma clasped her hands together in front of her chest. It put new light on his lecture that marriage should be about love and happiness. Even though her perspective on marriage remained unchanged, she sincerely hoped that was what he’d found.
“What fantastic news,” her dad said, beaming. “Congratulations, son.”
“How could you?” Auntie Soo whispered through pale, trembling lips.
“Umma?” Jeremy blinked.
“How could you keep such an important relationship a secret from me until you got engaged?” Her godmother blinked back tears.
“I… I…” Jeremy shot a panicked glance at Emma’s dad, who always had his back.
“Now, Soo.” He laid a calming hand on Auntie Soo’s arm, but she shook it off.
“Does his family know? Did… did you meet them?” At the guilty expression on Jeremy’s face, her hurt morphed into anger, and her fists clenched on the table. “You hid the man you loved from me—my future son-in-law—because… what?”
“I know you support the LGBTQ community, but I thought… it might be different when it’s your own kid.” Her godbrother shot a beseeching look in Emma’s direction.
“Imo, it must be terrifying to come out as gay, especially to the people you love most…” She understood and sympathized with both sides, but she mostly wanted to hide under the table until the conflict was resolved.
“And you always said that you wanted to match me up with the perfect partner. I guess I didn’t want to disappoint you,” Jeremy continued. “I’m sorry. If… if it helps, we only got engaged last week. I wanted to tell you in person. I’m so sorry.”
Auntie Soo took a breath and opened her mouth, her expression turning stony. Oh no. Oh no. She was about to say something hurtful that she would regret later. No, no, no.
“Speaking of relationships,” Emma blurted in a brittle, chipper voice, “I’m seeing someone.”
All eyes at the table slowly turned to her. Jeremy mouthed, No, Emma. But it was already too late.
“Since we’re all being honest here,” she squeaked, terrified of her godmother’s reaction. Did Auntie Soo feel betrayed that Emma had kept it a secret from her? That she put her reputation at risk?
Her dad’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “But you’re not gay.”
“No, Appa. I’m not.”
“Okay.” He absently patted her hand. “I just wanted to make sure I’m following everything.”
“Jeremy, what is your fiancé’s name, age, and occupation?” Auntie Soo was back to her formidable self, her hurt and anger under control. Emma breathed a sigh of relief.
“Steven Kim. Thirty-six. Pediatric neurologist,” Jeremy answered with military precision minus a salute. “He’s actually one of my partners.”
