Theo
*Thumbs-up emoji*
Kaori
You’re up late. Isn’t it after midnight your time?
Theo
I’m heading to bed soon. I had a few emails I needed to answer.
I roll my eyes.
Kaori
You’re off the clock. Turn off the work side of your brain.
Theo
Not possible. Only dolphins and a few other cetaceans can do that.
Kaori
You should still try.
A pause. Then . . .
Theo
I appreciate the concern. Good night, Kaori.
Kaori
Good night.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” Ela asks, eyes sharp with curiosity.
“No one,” I say too quickly. “Just... checking in with a friend on how things are going.”
Andy smirks. “Is this a college friend? When’shecoming to visit?”
“It’s nothing like that,” I hedge.
And even if it were, I wouldn’t tell you guys. The girls, maybe.
“Maybe it’s somebody from the office,” Derrick teases.
I inhale sharply. My cheeks burn hot. Did they see my phone screen? Have I given something away?
“Guys, lay off her,” Leon says, his voice taking on that protective “dad” tone he uses when the teasing gets too pointed.
Derrick holds up his hands. “We’re just messing with you, Minami, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, we’re sorry if it’s too much,” Andy says.
Phew. They don’t know anything. I make a mental noteto be extra careful from now on. Taking a take a deep breath, I plaster a casual smile on my face. “It’s fine, you just, um, caught me off guard.”
The guys relax, the tension breaking as quickly as it formed. Derrick chuckles. “Well, if itissomeone from work, at least we know it’s definitely not Riverton. He’s the last person I’d date if I were a girl and it weren’t against the rules.”
