The Misadventures of Endora Pan | Spilled Tea and Second Chances
Chapter 17
You are reading The Misadventures of Endora Pan, a romantic comedy exploring the unpredictable nature of love and the chaos of everyday life. Set in the world of a young Taiwanese-American woman, this story delves into themes of self-discovery, cultural identity, and finding connection in unexpected places. Written in a witty, self-aware style, this novel is for readers looking for a light-hearted yet emotional read.
The sun dipped below the horizon as Endora finally packed up for the day. A successful first market, indeed. She hoped she at least broke even after the day’s exertions.
“All packed up?” Dominic appeared at her side, having returned from wandering the market as promised.
Endora nodded, tucking the cashbox into her bag. “Thanks for waiting. I’m actually starving.” Her stomach growled in agreement, betraying how little she’d eaten all day.
“I know a place nearby,” Dominic said, reaching for one of her heavier containers. “Unless you’d rather pick?”
Endora paused. The offer to choose the restaurant was tempting—a safety net in this strange situation. Yet something in his expression—an openness, a lack of guile—made her relinquish control.
“Lead the way, Fedex guy.”
“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” he asked with a laugh.
“Nope. My chocolate, my rules.” But her tone had softened, the edge of antagonism dulled. “Actually, can I meet you there? I wanna grab some boba from my favorite boba shop. It’s only ten minutes away from here. What do you usually like?”
“Oh, thanks. I like chrysanthemum tea, no boba. I got you for dinner though, okay?”
With the ease of friends settling into a new rhythm, they exchanged numbers to meet at a nearby Thai restaurant tucked between a bookstore and vintage clothing shop on Seventh Avenue.
“The usual, Endora?” called Jenny from behind the counter as soon as she walked in.
“You’re the best, Jen.” Endora smiled, grateful for small comforts in a day full of surprises.
As she waited for her taro milk tea with extra boba and Dominic’s chrysanthemum tea, Endora found herself unexpectedly nervous about dinner with him. She’d been on countless first dates—most awkward, some decent, none memorable. Yet somehow, this felt different. Perhaps because they’d already crashed into each other’s lives so spectacularly. Or perhaps because of those five simple words: “Someone who loves Jesus.”
“Order for Endora!”
Cup in hand, she drove the short distance to Siam Garden, rehearsing conversation starters in her head. Endora spotted Dominic waiting outside, scrolling through his phone.
Taking a final fortifying sip of her boba, she gathered her purse and drinks and pushed open her car door—only to stumble over the bottom of her car and watch most of the liquid spill first onto her shirt, then to the asphalt, creating a glorious bloom of purple, cream, and gold, and several tapioca pearls rolled across the pavement.
Dominic looked up at the sound of her loud yelp. For one horrible moment, Endora thought he might laugh. Instead, he jogged over, pulling crumpled napkins from his pocket.
“Are you okay?” he asked, handing her some napkins and mopping up the stray balls with the rest.
“Yep, just great.” Endora tried to ignore the onlookers gawking at her.
Dominic reached into his backseat and pulled out a zip-up hoodie. “I don’t have a magic clothing cleaner, but I do have this. It's clean, I promise. I keep it for when the gym gets cold.”
Endora hesitated before accepting the hoodie. “This is becoming a pattern, you know. Me ruining things and you offering solutions.”
“I prefer to think of it as divine intervention,” he replied with that small smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. Like little parentheses around warm brown irises. “God clearly wants me to share my wardrobe with you.”
Despite everything, Endora laughed.
She slipped the hoodie on over her stained shirt and zipped it up. It smelled of laundry detergent and something else—a cologne, perhaps, subtle but pleasant.
“Better?” Dominic asked.
Endora nodded. “Though I look like I’m drowning in this thing.”
The hoodie hung past her hips, the sleeves extending well beyond her fingertips. Dominic reached over and gently rolled the sleeves up for her, his touch careful and light.
“Perfect,” he said softly.
A strange warmth that had nothing to do with the hoodie spread through Endora’s chest.