Axel
We didn’t. She rambles a lot, and most of the time, nothing she was saying made sense. You need to tell her that getting drunk is not a good look on her.
I put my phone away, not letting myself get caught up in their arguing. My thoughts are on the woman sleeping in my bed. I head to the kitchen and start gathering ingredients from the fridge and pantry. The ribs will take hours to cook, so I have time to make everything else perfect before Minji wakes up.
As I work, I find myself humming that oldHigh School Musicalsong. It’s strange how some memories stick with you and become part of who you are. That weekend when Minji was sick changed everything for me. It was then that I realized how much she meant to me. And then, I lost her.
Until now.
I’m rubbing spices into the ribs when my phone buzzes again. This time it’s Selena, my editor.
Selena
Please tell me you’re working on chapter revisions and not just staring at your girlfriend.
Me
Doing both. Multitasking is my superpower.
Selena
Your superpower is making me want to tear my hair out. Deadlines in three weeks, Aaron.
Me
I’ll have it done. Promise.
Selena
You’ve been saying that for weeks. I’m starting to worry we’ll need to push back publication.
Me
I won’t let you down. The words are flowing better than ever.
Selena
Are you adding more chapters? The edits I sent over were minor. Are you doing this so you can go back to shadowing at that law firm?
I laugh out loud.
Me
No Selena, not adding any chapters, and my shadowing days are over. I promise to have it back to you by the end of next week.
Selena
You better!!
I set my phone down and focus on cutting up the cheese for the mac and cheese. I hear a soft sound from the bedroom. I holdmy breath, listening for Minji’s movements, but the apartment falls silent again. She must still be asleep.
I finish prepping the mac and cheese and slide it into the oven along with the ribs. The aroma of spices and meat will soon fill the apartment, creating that perfect welcome-home scent I want Minji to wake up to.
While the ribs slow-cook, I sink into the couch with my laptop. I open my manuscript and start editing. Time slips away as I work on the edits, until the oven timer dings, pulling me from my creative trance. I check my watch—nearly three hours have passed. I save my work and head to the kitchen, peeking at the ribs—they look perfect, juicy, and caramelized on the edges. I pull them out and set them aside to rest, then check the mac and cheese. The top is golden brown, bubbling at the edges. My stomach growls in response.
I should wake Minji, but part of me wants to let her sleep as long as she needs. I know how exhausted she’s been, fighting battles on all fronts. I glance at the clock and it’s almost 9 PM now.
I pad quietly to the bedroom door and ease it open. Minji is still asleep, but she’s shifted position, one arm flung across where I had been sitting. For a moment, I just stand there, taking her in. This is what I want every day, Minji in my bed, safe and at peace.
