Free Impulsive by Helenkay Dimon Page B

because it was demanded of you.”
    They veered right into you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me territory. “Did you read that article in the Big Book of Racial Stereotypes?”
    Katie looked stumped. “Is there such a thing?”
    A rumbling started low and deep inside him. “Unfortunately most people think this stuff without any help.”
    â€œWait, are you upset about what I said?”
    â€œYou’re picking up on that, are you?” He had to take three deep breaths to keep from exploding.
    â€œIt’s not like I asked you to do a math problem for me.”
    From anyone else, in any other tone, and he would have launched into a lecture. Yelled and then written them off. “I’m not even sure I know what to say to that.”
    â€œI was trying to make a point.”
    He reached over and held one of her hands in his. “I think you’re confused on a few things.”
    â€œLike?”
    â€œFirst, I’m a Japanese American. I was born in Hawaii, just like my mother. My dad moved here as a kid. I’d show you my passport, but you’ll just have to trust me on the citizenship thing.” When she started to speak, he gave her palm a squeeze. He needed to talk and he feared what she might say. “Second, all Asian people are not the same.”
    Her mouth dropped open, leaving her stammering. “That’s not what I meant.”
    He knew that on one level. It was the only reason he was sitting there and not out the door. “But this is the most important point, so I really want you to hear me.”
    â€œOkay.”
    He waited until an anxious hush fell over the room. “I am a grown man.”
    â€œNo kidding.”
    He traced his thumb over the back of her hands to remind her of what he could do with his fingers. “An adult.”
    â€œI get that. Trust me.”
    â€œThen you should know my parents don’t pick my dates. They don’t get a say.”
    She looked all around the room, everywhere except him. “Did they like Deana Armstrong?”
    The question came like a punch. For months the mention of his ex’s name would send him into a downward spiral of anger and frustration. This time the reaction came from a different direction. The sound of Deana’s name on Katie’s lips rubbed him wrong. Made him antsy and uncomfortable. He didn’t want Deana intruding here. Not now.
    â€œThey seemed to,” he said, wanting to shrug this off but figuring there was no reason to lie.
    â€œDid they want you to marry her?”
    Much more of this uncomfortable questioning and he’d have to stand up and start pacing. “I don’t know. Don’t really care either since it’s a moot point.”
    Katie’s head fell to the side and her eyes narrowed in question. “Oh, come on.”
    â€œThey were too busy arranging my marriage to a young virgin from a small fishing village outside of Tokyo.” When Katie just stared at him, he blew out a long exhale. “That was a joke.”
    â€œI knew that.”
    â€œNo, you didn’t.”
    â€œI didn’t know you’d be so touchy about this subject.”
    And here he’d thought he was showing remarkable restraint. “Racial stereotypes get old fast.”
    â€œI didn’t realize I was even using them.”
    From the confusion on her face, he knew she was telling the truth. She repeated the stuff she picked up.
    He rarely invested time setting people straight on their misconceptions about his background. For her, he made an exception. He needed her to understand the reality. “My parents are normal people and just like any other set of parents. Dad is an accountant. Mom is a secretary—and that’s her word, not mine. They want me to succeed, but that’s more a matter of not wanting to financially support their adult son while he lives in the guest room and tries to get his act together than a statement about my