“Hey, Eliza. What can I do for you?”
“Mr. Singleton is here looking for you. I let him know that you’re not in today.”
“Did he say what he wanted?” I ask.
“He said, and I quote, ‘Then I’ll wait until the queen returns to her castle.’ He’s currently sitting in your office readinga book.” Eliza’s voice carries a mixture of amusement and concern. “I can tell him to leave or…?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Tell him I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Will do!” Eliza’s voice brightens considerably. “He’s actually super nice. He wasn’t annoyed when I asked him to sign my copy ofSinful Love. I told him I was his biggest fan and?—”
“Reel it in, Eliza.”
“Sorry.” She chuckles.
“And please make sure he doesn’t touch anything of importance.”
“I’m literally watching him through the open door now. He’s just reading. It’s kind of cute, actually. Like a puppy waiting for its owner.”
I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I’m hanging up now.”
“But seriously, Minji, he seems?—”
I end the call before she can say anything more about whatever romantic idea she’s dreaming up. I looked up to see Dr. Montiel staring at me with curiosity.
“Is there someone special waiting for you?”
“Just work,” I reply.
Dr. Montiel makes a vague noise. “Well, whoever it may be, they’re bringing some color to your cheeks. That’s better than any medicine I could prescribe.”
I’m about to argue when he hands me my work clearance letter.
“Thank you, Dr. Montiel.” I take the letter, purposely ignoring his comment about my cheeks.
“Just remember to take it easy, and if you feel any pain, come in immediately.”
“Of course,” I promise, already sliding off the examination table.
Twenty minutes later, I’m in a cab heading back to the office. What does Aaron want? And why couldn’t it wait until tomorrow, when I’m officially back at work?
When the elevator doors open onto our floor, I take a deep breath. Whatever Aaron wants to talk about is probably going to have me banging my head against the wall. I round the corner toward my office, and I spot Eliza’s eager face lighting up at my arrival.
“He’s still in there,” she whispers, leaning across her desk. “Been checking his watch every few minutes.”
“Thank you, Eliza.”
I pause outside my office door, taking a moment to observe him through the glass. Aaron sits in one of my client chairs, one ankle resting casually on the opposite knee, completely absorbed in a book. Not one of his, I note, but Ann Shin’sThe Last Exiles. Something about seeing him reading a novel about complicated love across cultures makes me see in a different light—just a tad. I’ve never read the book, but I heard great things about it. So, kudos to him.
I open the door, and he immediately looks up, a dimpled smile forming as he rises to his feet. “The queen has returned.” He slides a paper clip in his book before putting it down.
“I’m not sure how ‘shadowing me’ translates to getting comfortable in my office when I’m not around.” I move behind my desk.
Aaron shrugs, unfazed by my frosty tone. “Research. Your office tells quite a tale.”
“Does it?” I raise an eyebrow, easing into my chair. “And what story does it tell?”
“Minimal personal items. No family photos, but—” He gestures to the small jade plant in the corner, “—you nurture something living. Oh, and the two boxes of ramen under yourdesk.” He smiles. “Minji, your story is still a mystery to me right now.”
