“I don’t even know how to use a rice cooker,” Hunter admitted. “Have you always been into cooking?”
“Not until I realized Gage cooks better than me,” she replied. “But actually, I’ve enjoyed learning.”
Another knock. Sharper this time. But before anyone could move, the code beeped and the door opened.
“Gage,” Georgina called, half laughing, “you know you could wait like a normal person?”
“You should really change your passcode,” he said mildly, stepping inside. “It’s still the same as when I was living here.” His gaze tracked the space before settling on Bea. Then he moved forward, setting a bag of drinks on the counter. “Smells good.”
“Hope it tastes good,” Bea said with a crooked smile.
“You did this all by yourself?”
“I learned from Umma. This summer.”
“Three dishes?”
“That’s all we had time for.” She added a dash of sesame oil, then slid him a glance. “Came back early for some reason.”
“Worth it.” He placed a hand on her back. “Also, I might be able to trust you in my kitchen now.”
Georgina leaned toward Lillian and stage-whispered, “This is why I came back early. The flirting.”
Lillian giggled and held out a hand. “Should we set the table?”
The kitchen turned chaotic in the best way. Hunter pulling out bowls, Gage reaching for chopsticks, Lillian arranging side dishes. Georgina tried to sneak a bite of beef and got smacked on the wrist by Bea. The rice cooker hissed and clicked off in the corner.
Plates passed around. Someone poured sparkling water; another opened a bottle of plum wine. Bea sat back and took it in—friends she’d made in the UR, the man she loved, gathered around a meal she’d made. Something warm curled in her chest.
Gage picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks. “How was the last day of the internship?”
“They offered me a part-time job going forward.”
The table stirred with quiet cheers and knowing smiles.
“Told you it’d fall into place when the time was right.” Georgie smirked. Bea stuck her tongue out at her.
She passed Gage the seaweed, and for a moment, her mind slipped back a few hours. The tension of that final presentation still lingered in her muscles, like a residue. It hadn’t been easy, but it hadn’t been a disaster, either. Afterward, Catherine had stopped by her desk, all silk and spikes. “I’m glad you pushedthrough to the end,” she’d said, glancing down at Bea’s now-empty desk. “At first I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
Rafael’s words had echoed in her chest.It’s a recruitment program. For women who are both a weapon and a gift.
“At first, I thought I was just lucky to be here. But then I realized…the UR doesn’t do charity.” Bea had looked at Catherine then, eyes steady. “I’m here because they need someone like me here, don’t they?”
Catherine didn’t reply. Bea’s heart had pounded, but it was the good kind. Though she hadn’t exactly won, she hadn’t walked out small. For now, that was enough.
“Congrats, Bea,” Lillian said. “You earned it.”
Bea turned to her, a smile at her lips. “Thanks.”
Her eyes caught Lillian’s. Quiet, hopeful. Waiting her turn.
Bea wanted to tell her,You’ll get your shot.That there was room here for girls like them. Instead, she passed her the soy sauce. Lillian already knew.
Chapter Eleven
It was early, and already nearly thirty degrees Celsius outside.
Late summer in the UR made the return to classes feel less like obligation and more like a private, golden extension of vacation.
