Page 106 of Mr. Hotshot CEO

He shrugs. “Why do you think I come here to bug you all the time? You’re nice guy under all that no-nonsense workaholic veneer.”

“You called me your best friend on Wednesday.”

Cedric puts a hand to his chest. “What about me?”

Vince ignores him. “All is not lost. You just need a really great plan. Like a petting zooanda clown.”

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter.

“You know I’m a genius. You called me that a minute ago.”

Irritating little brothers.

“Your ideas suck.” I turn to Cedric. “You’re the writer. You’re supposed to be creative.”

“Sorry, I got nothing.”

Vince slaps me on the back. “You need to figure it out yourself.” He jerks Cedric’s arm forward. “I think we’ve outstayed our usefulness. Birthday boy here needs to drink his old man beer and do some thinking.”

“My birthday isn’t for another month!”

“Details, details. By the way, Po Po is coming by tonight. She was very concerned when she heard about your breakup.”

“Did you really need to broadcast it to the whole world?” I ask.

“Yes, yes, I did,” Vince says cheerfully as he and Cedric head down the stairs.

I have another sip of my beer and close my eyes, grateful to have some peace and quiet at last. But I can’t go back to sleep. My busy mind won’t allow it.

I’m not angry at Courtney. I know she was just doing what she felt she needed to do. I know she was trying to save herself.

I need to show her that she doesn’t have to do it all alone.

* * *

“Idon’t needjook,” I say, “and I certainly don’t need to learn how to make it.”

“You’re sick,” Po Po says. “You needjook.”

“I’m not sick, and I’m not in the mood for it.” Right now, I’d much prefer a greasy burger and fries over rice porridge.

“Heartbroken, sick.” She waves her bony hand in the air as she putters around my kitchen. “Same thing. But you will makejookand get healthy, and then you will win her back!” She beams at me.

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

“Vince said you would do it.”

“Why do you listen to anything Vince says?”

Po Po pulls out a large pot. “I’m eighty-nine. Want great-grandchildren, and Courtney is a nice Chinese girl who helps you have fun. You must make this work. Then you can cook herjookwhen she’s pregnant. When I was pregnant, I could not keep much down. Justjook.”

I stare at her. This is all a bit much. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“I know. First I must plan the wedding.”

“No. You’ll make the entire playlist Chinese opera.”

She chuckles. Then she raises a finger in the air, as if to make an important declaration. “You must make Courtney happy. If I do not hear this by next Saturday, I will come to your office every day. Play Chinese opera, bring new girl. Until you’re so annoyed, you’ll do anything to get Courtney back.”