"Gus, I'm stuck on this level again…"
"Uh-huh."
"Gus, my streaming subscription's expired…"
"Right."
"Gus, can we get a small oven?"
"Sure."
"Gus, check out this cucumber slice—looks like a smiley face!"
"Can you give me a moment, please? I've redone this report eight times."
In a Seattle Luxe Lofts apartment, Gus Harper's exasperated voice echoed from the study.
He turned to see Zoey Parker, in cozy strawberry pajamas, holding half a cucumber.
Well, the cut does resemble a smiley face.
Gus chuckled. As he reached for it, Zoey pulled it back: "You're grumpy, so no cucumber for you."
Seeing Zoey's pout, Gus sighed with a smile: "I'm working."
"But you've been at it all day!" Zoey huffed.
"I woke up, you were in the study. It's five p.m. now, and it's Saturday."
"I tiptoed so I wouldn't disturb you at work."
"I shared my coffee, my fruit."
"Even this smiley cucumber."
"And you're still grumpy…"
Her pout deepened, eyes reddening, tears welling up, looking utterly wronged: "I'm done with you. Work alone. I'm going out…"
Zoey placed the cucumber on Gus's desk and turned to leave.
Gus's heart softened.
He's a softie for sincerity, not stubbornness. Seeing the coffee, fruit, and fresh cucumber, he caved.
Zoey had been quiet as a mouse all day, tiptoeing in and out.
TV shows, games—all in the living room.
Her few study visits? Sharing coffee and fruit.
And him?
He'd brushed off her enthusiasm.
What a jerk!
"Hey, hey, don't go," Gus called. "Check this out."
"What?" Zoey turned, reluctant.
Gus clicked his mouse, closing all windows on his dual monitors. Screens went dark.
"Ta-da!" Gus clapped. "Shut down!"
Yes!
Zoey cheered inside.
Plan worked!
Nothing beats a girl's teary eyes!
Those life-hack blogs were spot-on!
Success!
Zoey was playing Gus like a pro!
This guy's too driven!
A perfect weekend, and he's working from home!
Nine a.m. to now, like it's a regular workday!
Zoey couldn't stand it.
Come on, be human, stop grinding. I'm worried about you.
And!
Me!
Zoey Parker!
Single, young, charming, with a sweet voice!
Ignoring me like this? That's just rude.
Zoey wasn't having it. Time for some strategy.
And it worked.
Hmph!
Zoey grinned inwardly.
Then, lips pursed, she tilted her head, teasing: "Oh, why shut it down? Get back to work. Work's everything. Grind harder, I'll promote you, give you a raise, and you can marry a rich lady and live the dream."
"I'm living the dream now," Gus stood, gesturing grandly: "Being Ms. Parker's roommate? That's the peak."
Zoey burst out laughing at his earnest nonsense: "You're so full of it, Gus Harper."
"Just listen," Gus raised a brow, giving Zoey her due.
"Fine," Zoey nodded slowly. "I'll give you another chance. So—"
"My smiley cucumber?"
"Spot-on!"
"Buying a small oven?"
"Classy choice!"
"Streaming subscription expired?"
"Use my account!"
"Stuck on Carrot Defense?"
"Boss, you're lost! We haven't even beat Overcooked yet. How about we set up the projector in the living room, hook up some cables, sink into the couch, and game? Sound good?"
"Perfect! Full marks!" Zoey patted Gus's shoulder.
"You're this year's top employee!"
"Thanks for the praise, boss!" Gus gave a thumbs-up. "Feels like a raise!"
Zoey laughed, lightly smacking Gus: "I'll bankrupt you."
Gus grinned: "Not mad anymore?"
"Furious," Zoey shot him a playful glare. "So mad I'm starving."
They moved to the living room.
Zoey flopped onto the couch like a queen.
"I want dumplings!"
Gus wasn't kidding before—he makes excellent dumplings.
Especially the shrimp-and-veggie filling. Zoey had it once and was hooked.
"No problem," Gus said, then hesitated: "But we're out of ground meat, shrimp, and chives."
"I'm on it!" Zoey, just sprawled, sprang up.
"I'll grab them!"
Saturday's for grocery runs, eating, and cozy vibes!
"Alright," Gus nodded, smiling at her enthusiasm. "I'll prep the dough and eggs. Come back victorious."
Before he finished, Zoey was in her coat, eager to go.
"Got it!" she called, bolting out.
"Uh…" Gus opened his mouth, shook his head, and grabbed his phone: "Oh, get some vinegar too."
Then he hit the kitchen, tied on an apron, and started kneading dough.
The sunset's glow spilled through the window, warming the tall man in the kitchen.
Soft music from the living room's Bose speaker filled the apartment.
I need a dream, a path, some tears.
I need someone to light the dark.
I'm helpless, can't fight, no way out.
This quiet night, I need someone by my side…
…
"Hey, Luke, what's the sister-in-law like?"
"Tall and glamorous, right? Fits Gus's vibe."
"Nah, I bet she's soft and quiet. Gus needs a gentle type."
"Hmm, fair. His smooth-talker charm would suit that kind."
"I'm a bit nervous."
"It's Gus's girlfriend—why are you nervous?"
"What if we open the door and it's Ms. Parker?"
"Get real. Why would Ms. Parker live with Gus? If anything, Gus would be moving into her place."
"Heh, just saying."
"I'd root for Gus and Ms. Parker, but love's his call…"
In the elevator!
Luke Bennett and Jake Rivers chatted as the floors ticked up.
Here we go!
Today!
The day for their planned "ambush"!
They had to see who this "sister-in-law" was, making Gus ditch overtime and leave work on time!
Plus!
They had a mission!
Talk Gus up, lock in the sister-in-law!
Gus has had it rough, solo all these years.
Sounds sappy from guys like them.
But thinking of Gus facing life's highs and lows alone, no family, hit them hard.
Now, someone's got Gus rushing home. As wingmen, they'd deliver a flawless assist!
Ding!
The elevator hit Gus's floor.
They locked eyes, nodded.
"For Gus's happiness!"
"For Brother Harper's future!"
"Let's go!"
"Go!"
Ding-dong—
Doorbell rang.
Gus's voice came: "Coming, who is it?"
"Surprise inspection!" Luke called casually.
"Suspect you're hiding a lady. Open up."
"Impersonating officials for fraud gets up to three years in jail, detention, or restricted rights," Gus read from his phone as the door opened.
"Serious cases? Three to ten years."
He eyed Luke and Jake: "My clueless buddies, you drop a gold watch or a silver one?"
One line!
Shut them down.
"Not a crime to crash for dinner, right?" Luke grinned awkwardly.
"Here to meet the sister-in-law."
Gus: …
Luke's line was so full of holes, Gus didn't know where to start.
"Forget if 'meet' works for people," Gus paused, sorting his thoughts. "Where's this sister-in-law talk coming from?"
"From that LV strawberry-cream bucket bag by the door!" Luke's sharp eyes caught the cute women's bag on the shoe bench.
Gus let them in, glanced at Zoey's bag, and sighed: "That's…"
"Hold it!" Luke cut him off, gesturing to hush.
"I'm a charmer, a love expert."
"Need you to tell me about her?"
"I've got most of it figured out!"
"Don't regret this," Gus said, seeing Luke barrel toward disaster. "Guess away. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Psh!" Luke scoffed.
"Scared? What, you dating a tiger?"
Luke dove in, analyzing: "LV bucket bag! Last year's model, cute style, slight wear on the clasp!"
"Lipstick on the counter! Armani red-tube gloss, shade Peachy Glow!"
"Shoes by the cabinet! LV RUN AWAY series, size 5 or 6, pink, fresh and clean!"
"To sum up!"
Luke pushed imaginary glasses, pointing at Gus: "The sneaky frog's got your number!"
Jake played detective-show music on his phone!
Luke declared: "She's well-off, about 5'5", early 20s, sweet and lovely look, clean style, playful vibe!"
"Meets your high standards, you old warden!"
Gus: …
Speechless.
Why these two clowns as friends?
Should I rethink my life?
Good thing this isn't the office.
This scene in public? Might as well be a spectacle.
"Come on, spill it!" Luke nodded at Gus.
"This pose is exhausting."
Then!
A cheerful girl's voice sang outside, with light footsteps: "Strolling to the store, picking up some goods, Gus is making dumplings tonight~"
Swish!
Luke and Jake shot Gus a look, raising brows.
Showtime!
Gus leaned on the shoe cabinet, unfazed, sipping water: Go ahead, perform.
Click!
Door opened!
Luke and Jake spun, shouting: "Sis—!"
One syllable!
Luke's voice caught in his throat!
It was Zoey Parker, back from shopping, veggie basket in hand!
Eyes met!
Instantly!
Luke's pupils shrank, heart stopped, brain blank!
What! The! Hell!
Gus… Zoey… together… huh?
It made sense but blindsided him, crashing his brain.
He glared at Jake, cursing his jinx!
Jake, clueless, grinned innocently, signaling he was just joking, not expecting to be right.
Zoey, startled, saw Luke's hesitant look: "Sis—what?"
"Sis… uh… sister…"
Luke's face twisted, brain racing!
"Happy New Year, brother and sister-in-law—you're my hero, I'm your fan—!"
Pfft—!!!
Gus choked, spraying water, dousing Luke like a plant!
"Cough—cough—" Gus waved, explaining: "They're here for a free meal. I told them I'm rooming with you, and they need your okay to eat. Just wanted them to butter you up. No big deal…"
Idiots!
If I'm guilty, lock me up, don't curse me with these clowns!
Magnet for morons? Must've sinned in a past life…
Zoey grabbed tissues from the shoe cabinet, handing them to Luke: "It's fine, just dinner. We're making dumplings, so it's livelier together. I'll order some sides…"
She bit her lip, forcing a smile.
She knew Luke's "brother and sister-in-law" was a movie quote.
But the words sent a warm, sweet ripple through her heart.
Smooth talker!
With a wave!
Free dinner!
Eat up, drink up today!!!