Fake Dates and Mooncakes

by Sher Lee

Chinese people believe names have a powerful effect on how something or someone will turn out, which is why most restaurants are called some variation of Happy, Lucky, or Golden.

And all I can think is, why is Adrian having a meltdown at the poor delivery guy when he could be, I don’t know, licking whipped cream off those abs for dinner and dessert?

The boyfriend was half naked. He was lean and super toned, and his lower abs had this perfect V-cut—”

Grief has a way of sneaking up on you when you’re least expecting it. A song, a phrase, a scent…then you’re falling into an empty space inside that you thought you’d patched. That you thought could bear the weight.

For once, the guy I have a crush on isn’t either terminally straight or already taken.

Our worlds are as far apart as the sun and the moon.” “They align every now and then,” Aunt Jade points out. “Eclipses are pretty memorable.”

“They left a dead fish on her bed with blood and guts everywhere. And all her boyfriend could say was ‘Is that all that happened?’ Talk about gaslighting.”

Aunt Jade asked if there’s anything holding me back from falling for Theo. His smile can light up my entire day, but that’s the thing—it seems as easy for him as flipping a switch.

“Sounds like Clover realized you guys wanted her to be part of your family.” “For sure. When my mom was recovering from chemo, Clover wouldn’t leave her side.” I force down the emotions threatening to spill over. “After she was gone, Clover needed a while to understand that my mom didn’t abandon her. She was just…not coming back.”

“There’s a Chinese saying my aunt loves: yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì.” “What does it mean?” Catherine asks. “ ‘We have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles.’ ” I don’t dare to look at Theo. “That’s kind of how I felt when we met. The way our paths crossed was so out of the blue that I couldn’t help but think something in the universe must’ve aligned.”

He leans in and kisses me.

“Do you believe in destiny, Dylan?” His eyes meet mine—there’s something mercurial in them, something magnetic. Even though our lips locked on the dance floor, now the air between us feels even more charged, crackling with a different kind of anticipation. I swallow hard. “I think if fate brings two people together, nothing can keep them apart.”

Eclipses don’t last long—but I can’t help wishing this one could go on for a little longer.

“Pretty sure Theo’s got more than takeout in mind.” She grins. “You know, Netflix and chill. Or should that be IMAX and climax?”

The seventh lunar month is over, but guys like him seem to be good at ghosting all year round.

“If Taylor Swift’s there, you’d better get me her autograph.”

“I told your family that I don’t want us to hide, and I mean that.”

“He can choose to cut me out of his life—but I won’t let him decide who to cut out of mine.”

“You got close to Theo because you wanted to use our family’s name to elevate yours.”

“Giving your heart to someone is like learning to ride a bike. You’ll skin your elbows and knees, but the pain will pass. You’ll heal. And one day, the scars will be a memory, not of falling, but of getting up again.”

“Because every story can have a different ending.” Aunt Jade’s expression is meaningful. “It all depends on which one you want to believe in.”

“Two people shouldn’t have to give up everything just to be together. We’d resent each other for what we’ve lost, which would’ve ended up pushing us apart anyway.”

“I guess I learned that when everything seems impossible,” I finish, “sometimes the best thing you can do is keep calm and make mooncakes.”