Dean's Type

Dean put his arm around Ana's slender shoulders as they walked to the entrance of Logi. Through the passageway, they walked in silence. Dean smiled to himself as he replayed his conversation with Mia that day, completely unaware of what he was about to encounter inside.

As he entered the open kitchen, he did a double-take when he saw Beverley sitting across the room. His heart stopped when he saw Mia's face. Legs frozen, his forehead started to perspire. His first instinct was to run out of the restaurant leaving Ana behind.

It was too late. They had spotted him, and Beverley gave him a wave. He recollected himself and returned the wave. The waiter proceeded to take them to their seats.

Mia watched as Ryo went over to greet Dean and shook his hand. They conversed for a short moment. She could see that Ryo was familiar with Ana as well.

During that time, Dean kept looking over in Beverley and Mia's direction. Mia did not notice this as she was more interested in checking out Ana. "Is that what he likes?" Mia tried not to stare but dressed in a clingy black cotton jersey shirtdress, Ana was sultry. She had long shiny dark brown hair parted in the centre, deep-set dark eyes, high cheekbones, and red pouty lips. Mia became strangely self-conscious when she realised how different Ana was from her.

After Ryo walked away from Dean, he whispered something to Ana and headed over to where Mia and Beverley were. When he got there, he stood between them with his hands on both chairs, unsure of what to do next.

"Hi, Beverley."

Beverley opened her arms to give Dean a hug, which he returned. "Who is that?" She asked.

"Ana."

"I haven't met her before?"

"No, you haven't."

"She's pretty. Is she a model?"

"What's with the questions?" He chuckled and looked at Mia apologetically. Then he turned back to Beverley, "Yes, she is a model. You would have seen her in fashion magazines if you would only read them." He rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, hello Mia." Out of habit, Dean hugged her as well. The gesture took Mia by surprise and she patted him on his back in return. His warm muscles felt good pressed against her shoulders and his recognisable woody musky scent filled her nose.

Mia thought he looked effortlessly handsome in a tight-fitting black shirt and black tailored pants. "Was that a tattoo?" She caught a flash of grey lines from his unbuttoned collar.

Beverley playfully slapped him on the arm. "What are you saying about my dress sense?"

"I'm saying you are creative, that's what I'm saying," Dean smirked. He glanced at Ana who was shuffling in her chair alone in the busy restaurant. He tensed up and moved away from Beverley and Mia. "I better get back to Ana before she gets upset with me. I will talk to you later." He gave them a nervous smile before walking back to his seat.

"Is that his girlfriend?" Mia murmured to Beverley, trying not to be conspicuous. Beverley did a scan of Ana and said with minimal mouth movement, "I don't think so. I haven't heard from David that he has a girlfriend." She looked down at her food, "He's a picky one, that one. All I know from David is that he likes them pretty, sexy, and Caucasian." This puzzled Mia, "He doesn't date Asians?"

Beverley shrugged, "That's what David said. But apparently, Dean's last girlfriend was Taiwanese. But that was one and a half years ago. Since then, I haven't heard David mention that he has one. But then David and I don't really talk about him, except for when he’s angry at him," she snickered.

Mia peeked at Ana; who's eyes fluttered at Dean as he talked. "It's so nice to go on a date, isn't it," she sighed. "I should seriously consider dating again, especially if there are decent and successful Asian guys... like David..." She turned her head towards Beverley for a reaction. Nothing. She was busy digging into her roast pork.

Courses after courses arrived. From time to time, Mia caught Dean looking at her. Sometimes, he caught her stealing glances back at him, and he would give her a guarded smile. This awkward interaction between them continued throughout the evening until the dessert started to arrive.

"Let's go somewhere else for drinks and dessert, I feel like we can't talk freely with Dean here," Beverley pointed her nose in his direction.

"We can't leave now! We haven't had our aiyubing[1] yet!" Mia exclaimed, reluctant to leave for more reasons than the dessert.

"Never mind, no need to leave..." Beverley said under her breath, looking across the table. Dean was standing up and helping Ana out of her chair. Mia noticed that he was holding her hand as they moved towards them. Mia frowned and something caught in her throat. As he drew near, he announced, "We're heading off...."

"So soon? Have you had your dessert yet?" Beverley asked as she placed her hand on his arm like a big sister. "Oh, it's ok... We're quite full," he grinned as he looked down at her.

"Mia wants the dessert then," Beverley said, turning to Mia. Dean raised his eyebrows at Mia, "What? Of course. I will let Ryo know," and began flagging down a waiter.

Mia was mortified. Hands waving, she insisted, "No no! It's ok. Dean, we have three courses of dessert to get through, I don't think we need any more!"

"They are just small dishes anyway. It would be a waste." Dean proceeded to give instructions to a waiter. All this time, Ana watched them like a child listening in on an adult conversation. Mia flashed her a friendly smile to include her.

Once Dean was satisfied that the waiter understood his instructions, he turned his body towards the passageway. "Alright, enjoy. Beverley. Mia. It was nice to see you. I will see you both around," Dean said as he gave them a smile of relief. Without waiting for a reply, he tugged Ana gently along behind him. She turned her head momentarily to give them a small wave before they disappeared.

'Gosh, she is beautiful," Mia immediately gushed to Beverley. "Totally his type," she replied. Mia felt the urge to sulk. She could not help but pitied her dateless life as she took a gulp from her wine glass. Shaking the negativity out of her head, she demanded, "Ok, back to David."

"I think I’ve talked enough about David. Wait, we haven't talked about you yet?" Beverley protested.

Mia took another gulp and confessed, "If there are Taiwanese guys like Dean out there, I should seriously consider dating again." Beverley was amused by this, "I never knew Dean was your type. Weren’t you asking about David a minute ago?"

Mia's cheeks turned red as she explained, "Well I am sure there are talented, successful, and good-looking Taiwanese guys out there, am I right?". She tugged on Beverley's arm and begged, "Please, please tell me where I can meet these guys!"

Beverley gave Mia a side glance then closed her eyes like she was about to burst into laughter. She opened her eyes and gasped. "Why don't you start by dating David or Dean for practice!" Her mouth widened, excited by her own train of thought. "Hmm. You should totally start with Dean." She nodded at Mia; her eyes excited. "Throw a party for your building, get a little drunk, flirt with him, and then take him home!" She squealed, already imagining it happening. Mia shook her head, shocked. "He's my architect with David, and he knows you. It's a little too close to home."

"It's totally fine! Come on!" Beverley nudged Mia’s forearm as if daring her. Mia narrowed her eyes at her, "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

Beverley laughed and leaned in to lock eyes with Mia, "You haven't dated for a while, and Dean is right in front of you. I saw how he kept looking at you before." She moved back but kept her eyes on Mia. "I think he's interested in you. I can tell by his body language."

Mia's jaw dropped, "You are wrong. You saw who he was with. Are you kidding!"

"Mia, you were totally checking him out as well. Don't say you weren't." Beverley took in a long breath, a wicked smile spread across her face. "Maybe he will be the first Caucasian that you have sex with!"

Mia looked away abruptly, too embarrassed to meet Beverley's eyes. Crimson from the conversation and the wine, she turned and whacked Beverley on the arm, "Why don't you say that louder for the whole restaurant to hear!"

Beverley covered her mouth with both of her manicured hands and whispered, "Sorry!"

"You! Don't put these ideas in my head," Mia raised a finger at Beverley, trying to look angry. It did not last long before she started giggling and raised her glass to Beverley. "Well, I'm glad you brought me two eye-candy to work with. Even just staring at them, I am happy. Cheers!" They clinked their wine glasses together and laughed loudly.

Mia's Aiyubing arrived along with Dean's two servings. Eyes on the price, spoon at the ready, Mia proclaimed, "Oh this, I can eat all three of, sorry Bev!"

Footnotes

[1] Aiyubing (愛玉冰) is a jelly dessert made from the seeds of the Awkeotsang creeping fig found in Taiwan and East Asian countries.