We leave the elevator and find a quiet spot near the security desk in the busy atrium.
“Look.” Tab’s voice is gentler now. “I know it’s been a year since the last fiasco with you canceling, and they weren’t happy. Since you agreed in there, you need to see this through. If you really can’t be away from your soon-to-be wife in the future, then I think you need to rethink this career path.”
“Come on, Tab. Plenty of authors don’t do book signings.”
“Those authors aren’t you, Aaron. You’re the face of your brand. You’re the guy who writes about love finding a way against all odds. You’re charming and handsome, and readers want to meet you in person.” Tab gives me that look that means she’s about to deliver the hard truth. “You can’t sell fantasies if you don’t show up.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right. “I get it. But what if I brought Minji with me? For parts of it at least?”
Tab’s expression softens. “Does she even want to travel for six weeks? She just started her own firm.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked her.” I rub the back of my neck. “She’s been so focused on building her practice. The timing couldn’t be worse.”
“Welcome to adult relationships,” Tab says with a wry smile. “They’re always inconvenient for career people.”
We step outside into the afternoon sun.
“I’ll see what I can do about breaking up the tour,” Tab promises. “Maybe we can get you home for a few days between legs.”
“Thanks, Tab.” I give her a quick hug. “I owe you one.”
“Yeah, so we need to start looking over my pay.”
“You already get twenty percent.” I laugh, starting to walk away.
“Twenty-five if you want me to work miracles with this tour schedule!” she calls after me.
I wave without turning, already pulling out my phone to call Minji. She answers on the second ring.
“That was fast.” Her voice instantly soothes the knot of anxiety in my chest.
“The meeting’s over. I’m heading to the apartment now.” I pause at the corner, waiting for the light to change. “Actually, can we talk about something when I get there?”
“That sounds ominous,” she replies, and I can picture her sitting up straighter, guard instantly raised.
“No, nothing bad. Just… tour stuff.”
“Ah. How long will they have you traveling this time?”
I wince, grateful she can’t see my face. “That’s part of what we need to discuss. I’ll be there in twenty.”
Walking home gives me time to think. Six weeks away from Minji feels impossible now that we’ve found our rhythm. Last year’s two-week tour was hard enough—calling her every night, falling asleep to her voice on the phone, waking up and reaching for someone who wasn’t there.
By the time I reach my building, I’ve cycled through a dozen different scenarios. Maybe she could join me for the European leg? Her firm is now more established, with Jasmyn and Eliza able to handle matters in her absence. Or maybe I could fly back between cities, even if just for forty-eight hours at a time.
When I open the door, I see Minji in my kitchen, wearing my favorite Columbia sweatshirt that hangs down to her thighs, her hair loose. Seeing her so at home in my space makes my chest ache with love.
“Hey.” She pops a grape in her mouth. “I’m attempting that stew Grayson taught me last time we visited. No promises it’s edible.”
I walk over and hug her from behind, pressing my face into her hair. “You look good enough to eat, as always.”
She turns in my embrace. “What happened at the meeting?”
I take a deep breath. “They want me to do a six-week tour. Twenty-three cities, four countries.”
Her expression doesn’t change, but I feel her stiffen slightly. “When?”
“It starts in two weeks.”
