“Just making observations from what I read, is all.”
“He’s in love with his Korean translator, so I’m not sure this mysterious stranger would make any difference. Or if she even wants to.”
“In the meantime, I’m going to print this out and leave it right on his desk where he can see it.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Just to let him know I’m not stupid.”
Lauren read the letter again.
“She just wants to be friends.”
“And you know this because . . . ?”
“Because I’m a woman, and it’s plain to see, written in black and white.Emails don’t count.Translated into womanspeak:I’m not trying to get you into bed.And she talks about something that might be pretty important going on at this restaurant, but Paul doesn’t seem to have anything to do with it.”
“And what about the whole ‘things that are out of reach are always more desirable’ thing? Come on, you don’t think she’s flirting there, just a little bit?”
“I think your mind is playing tricks on you because you’re so desperate for Paul to stay in Paris. If you want my opinion, this woman is fresh out of a relationship, on the rebound. She seems to be genuinely looking for a friend and that’s that.”
“You should have gone into psychology instead of neurosurgery.”
“I won’t dignify that with a response. But even assuming that there are mixed messages . . . if you want Paul to take the bait, the last thing you should do is bring it up.”
“You think?”
“How is it I sometimes feel like I know your best friend better than you do? Or at least the way his mind works.”
With that, Lauren went out to make breakfast.
In the living room, she could see Paul asleep on the sofa. As soon as she entered, he opened his eyes and yawned, then slowly got up.
“Didn’t quite make it to your bed, huh?”
“I was working late. I only meant to take a break, but it seems I must have crashed.”
“Do you always work that late?”
“Yeah, pretty often.”
“You look awful. You have to stop burning the candle at both ends.”
“Is that my physician speaking?”
“No. It’s your friend.”
While Lauren poured him a cup of coffee, Paul checked his email, even though he knew that Kyong almost never replied right away. Nonetheless, he retired to his bedroom with a stung look on his face.
Just at that moment, Arthur came in. Lauren waved him over.
“What?” he whispered.
“Maybe we should push back our departure a few days.”
“What’s up with him?”
“Nothing’s up, everything’s down. He seems really bummed.”
