She pours more wine into her glass. “Not every relationship needs a prenup and monthly performance reviews. Some people just click, like you and Aaron. Crazy how after all these years you two ended right back with each other.”
“But what if?—”
“Nope.” She cuts me off with a finger wave. “No, don’t be a Debby Downer.”
“William thinks?—”
“Minji! You are ruining the plot. Stop talking about that asshole. He’s just jealous because you moved on and you moved on to someone better… So fuck William. Oh, and another thing, I fear you are going to self-sabotage this. Because why are we still bringing up puny-ass William?” She huffs. “Look, it’s okay to like someone not in the same career field as yourself, so please don’t go in the all-or-nothing mode with your feelings. Do not invent drama where there isn’t any. Just be horny! And in love! And happy!” She rolls her eyes and shoves the rest of the pastry in her mouth, ending her rant.
I laugh because it’s absurd, but also because I want to believe her. “It’s difficult to open up to someone again.” I swallow. “Especially when they seem too perfect, you know?”
“That’s how everyone feels, Mimi. But you can’t ghost out here because you’re scared. You did it to him once; try not to do it to him again unless he deserves it. But just be mindful if you do ghost him again, I don’t think he will spin the block.”
“Enough, Aaron, talk. It’s girls’ night in… Unless you want to talk about giving me that Birkin for?—”
“Oh hell no. You lost that Birkin the moment you let that man devour you. I told you to listen to the audiobooks without touching yourself, and you took it to the next level and fucked the author.” She laughs. “My Birkin will stay locked away in my closet.”
I throw a pillow at her face, nearly knocking over her wine glass in the process. “Fine, keep your Birkin. When I make partner, I will definitely get myself two.”I grin as I reach for the bakery bag to pull out another pastry.
“Look at you, manifesting that partnership like a boss,” Demi says, raising her glass. “To future partner Minji Lee, who can buy all the Birkins she wants.”
I clink my glass against hers, but my smile falters slightly. “If I nail the Hui-Wang case.”
“Whenyou nail that case,” Demi corrects. “You’re the best damn attorney in that firm, and everyone knows it. But at every job, there is office politics, so there’s that.”
My phone buzzes again, and I can’t help but check it immediately.
Aaron
I just finished tonight’s signing. A woman asked whether the divorce attorney in my upcoming book is based on a real person. I smiled mysteriously and said, ‘The best characters always are.’ The entire line of readers was convinced I’m secretly married to a ruthless divorce attorney.
I laugh out loud, showing the message to Demi, who immediately grabs the phone.
“Oh, I’m answering this one,” she announces, her fingers already typing.
“Demi, no!” I lunge for the phone, but she dances away, laughing.
“Too late!” she sings, tossing the phone back to me.
I look down at the screen in horror.
Me
If only they knew your ruthless wife is flying to Cali to see you. && I’m ready to be folded like a pretzel.
“I hate you.” I groan, burying my face in a throw pillow. “So much.”
“You’ll thank me later. Sometimes you need a little push.”
Little does she know I was folded like origami a week ago.
Aaron
Is that Demi? Tell her, ‘Great minds think alike,’ because I got a suite on the top floor, for maximum privacy.
Heat floods my face that has nothing to do with the alcohol. Before I can respond, another message comes through.
Aaron
