Page 73 of That Prince is Mine
Before Emma could elaborate, a handsome woman who looked to be in her late forties approached them with her arms spread wide. “Emma, my dear.”
“Hi, Imo.” She hugged the older woman warmly before stepping back. “Michel, say hello to my godmother, Soohee Kang.”
“Your godmother?” His eyebrows rose into his hairline. “You’re Jeremy’s mother? You look like you could be his sister.”
The esteemed Soohee Kang snorted and rolled her eyes, but she smiled broadly at him. “Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, young man.”
“I apologize for hollering at you. I didn’t mean to blurt that out like that.” Michel placed a hand to his chest and cast a bewildered glance at Emma. “But I am genuinely astounded.”
“Auntie Soo doesn’t look anywhere near her age.” She laughed at his side. “Imo, Michel isn’t capable of false flattery.”
“Well then.” Her godmother patted her perfectly coiffed bob.
Emma nudged him with an elbow and pointedly eyed the box in his hands. Christ. He’d forgotten again. He cleared his throat and held out his gift to their hostess. “Thank you so much for having me, Ms. Kang.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t have. This is just a casual dinner with family and friends.” She promptly relieved him of the gift box. “And call me Auntie Soo. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Some of the tension left his shoulders as she hurried away to oversee their dinner. The cozy backyard had a grassy section with a picnic table and a larger paved sitting area shaded by a redwood pergola. String lights zigzagged above the backyard, connected to a long awning covering the patio at the side of the house. The lights would look lovely when the sun set and the evening settled in.
Auntie Soo spoke with a young man with broad shoulders and a trim beard. He stood over a portable grill set up on the patio, wearing a white apron around his waist. Three different piles of chopped meat sizzled on the steaming grill. Michel breathed in the air. Whatever it was, the backyard was filled with the delicious smell of food.
“Look at you,” Emma said, dusting imaginary lint off his shoulder. “You’ve charmed your way right into Auntie Soo’s heart.”
“I have?” When he turned his surprised gaze to her upturned face, he forgot everything but how beautiful she looked in the light of the setting sun. He leaned down toward her, and her eyes fluttered closed.
“There you are, baby girl.” The cheerful greeting had Michel jerking away from Emma.
A handsome gentleman in a cream polo shirt tucked into a pair of khakis strolled over to them with an openly curious glance at Michel. He had kind eyes that reminded him of Emma.
“Appa.” Emma blushed, taking half a step away from Michel. “Um, hi. This is Michel Chevalier. Michel, this is my dad, Jaewon Yoon.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Michel.” Her father held out his hand with a warm smile. Thankfully, he showed no signs of displeasure at their almost kiss.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” Michel took her father’s hand in both of his and bowed from his waist.
Sophie had helped him research Korean customs and the proper manner of greeting an elder. Prince Michel was accustomed to receiving deference, but Michel Chevalier was honored to pay his respects to the man who raised Emma.
The older man chuckled as he shook his hand and glanced at his daughter. “Did you teach him how to do this?”
“No, I didn’t.” Emma’s eyes were wide with surprise.
“Well, enough of the formalities.” Her father clapped Michel on the shoulder. “I’m going to find Soo and hustle up some tacos. Oh, you two should go find Jeremy. He’s been waiting to show off his young man.”
“Welcome, friends.” Jeremy waved with a bottle of beer in his hand, his free arm wrapped around the shoulders of a slender, clean-cut man. “Come say hello to my fiancé.”
They were lounging on a love seat beneath the pergola. They were both dressed casually in T-shirts and shorts, but Steven still managed to look effortlessly stylish, while Jeremy looked a little rumpled.
When her father went to join their hostess, Michel and Emma made their way toward the seating area. As soon as they each took a seat in an armchair across from the happy, glowing couple, Jeremy began a boisterous round of introductions. Steven Kim patiently stared up at his fiancé with a fond smile until he finished.
“I’m going to give Emma a proper hello.” He patted Jeremy on the shoulder and came around to stand in front of her. Laughing, she rose to her feet and promptly got pulled into a hug. “Hello, the little sister I’ve always wanted. I hope we can be friends.”
“I can already tell you’re too good for my godbrother,” Emma joked as she stepped back.
“Watch it, brat,” Jeremy warned.
Steven turned to Michel next and held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He already liked the man.
