Chapter 18

Derek took Zoe’s keys from her hand and unlocked her apartment. Her shoulders held tote bags full of foam board, photocopies,

and pieces of fabric. To the untrained eye, it looked like a kid’s art project.

“Are you ready for the meet and greet tomorrow?” Zoe asked as he swung the door open for her. She dropped the heavy tote bags

on the floor right inside and kicked off her flats.

“I’ve barely had time to think about it. Th ? o and I have been working fifteen-hour days to make sure the music is ready for our first read—sing—through?” Derek had her

other bag slung over his shoulder along with his backpack. He shut the door behind him and lined his Chucks next to her other

shoes on the mat.

“I’m a little nervous to meet the cast and present my costumes to everyone,” Zoe said. Her shoulders were tight and high with

anxiety. “And public speaking isn’t really my thing. It’s yours.”

“They’re going to love your designs!” He waved at bags stuffed with her presentation materials. “I’m glad you hired TJ to

be your assistant.”

“Me, too. He’s got a great eye for mixing patterns. You should see his drag costumes.”

“He makes a mean boba and does drag? A man of many talents. I’m glad Greg found room in the budget for him.” When he suggested the idea to Zoe, she’d immediately thought of TJ. Derek gave himself a mental pat on the back for winning that battle with his mentor.

“Honestly, I think he took the job because—and I quote—‘theater is full of hot gay men.’”

They chuckled.

“He took Th ? o out to Dupont Circle to blow off steam. Maybe he’ll find more than steam,” Derek added.

“How dare you suggest our friends need to get laid,” she joked.

“Th ? o’s been bitching about how boring DC nightlife is compared to New York. Maybe the two of them can have a little fun before

we dive into rehearsals.”

The closer they got to the first rehearsal, the more wound up Th ? o had gotten. There was one song that wasn’t working the way she wanted. Derek wanted to wait until the actors had a chance

to make it their own, but Th ? o wanted to plug away at it. Derek won in the end, because they ran out of time and energy.

Zoe murmured in agreement. From the few times Derek had stopped into the costume shop, he thought Zoe and TJ made a great

team. TJ’s big personality wasn’t for everyone, but his humor kept her grounded as she finalized her designs. According to

Zoe, TJ also knew the best places in the DMV to shop for fabric on a budget.

“Thanks for coming over so I can practice. I want everything to be perfect.”

“I’m easily bribed with food.” What he wanted to say was that he’d drop everything whenever she needed him.

“Our food is on its way, but I need to take a shower. I’m so gross after driving all over the DMV with TJ to swatch fabric.

Today’s heat was brutal.”

“Go. I’ll set the table and wait for the food.” Maybe that would keep his mind from imagining her in the shower.

“Can you feed Mr. Bobbins, too?” Zoe asked.

“Mr. Who?” Derek looked around the apartment but found only an empty pet bed that looked like a giant blue Danish cookie tin, similar to the kind his mom kept her sewing supplies in.

“My cat. He’s an orange tabby and has a super fluffy tail.”

“I will, but for some reason cats don’t like me.” Derek bit his bottom lip. “Let’s just say the last and only time I cat sat

for a friend, the cat won.”

“You’re saying you’re scared of a cute little kitty?”

“No,” Derek replied a little too quickly. He straightened his shoulders to prove it. “Where is he?”

“Probably sleeping in my room. But he’ll come out when he hears you prepping his food.”

“Did you say prep his food? Like a sous chef?” Derek mimed chopping food. “How spoiled is Mr. Bobbins?”

“Hush. He’s a pretty boy who deserves lots of love and delicious food. I’m feeding you, aren’t I?”

Derek opened his mouth but no witty response came to him. Were they still talking about her cat? He was reading way too much

into her words. Zoe must’ve sensed his awkwardness because her cheeks were pink.

“He’s also old and has no teeth so he needs special food,” she finally said solemnly.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Ha! You should see the look on your face! Mr. Bobbins is in his prime and completely spoiled.” Zoe laughed.

“That was not cool.” Derek frowned, then stuck his bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout the way he used to in college after

she teased him.

Unfazed by his fake sad expression, she lightly punched his arm.

“He needs a little spoiling. I’ve been gone a lot, so he’s been lonely.”

He hadn’t met Mr. Bobbins yet, but her worried expression told him that she adored her cat.

“So he gets to eat his feelings.” Derek nodded. “I can relate.”

“Mix a scoop of his kibble with half a can of tuna, please? He’s got a mat over there.” She pointed to his food prep station

at her kitchen counter. “I’ll get him.”

Zoe walked briskly into her bedroom. She came out with a large, very fluffy cat in her arms. Her face lit up as she cooed

and petted the animal. Why was Derek suddenly envious of a ball of fur?

“Meet Mr. Bobbins,” she said when she finally turned her attention back to Derek.

“Hello, Mr. Bobbins.”

“And this is Derek. He’s going to feed you while I shower,” she spoke in a soft, sweet tone.

He had nothing to be afraid of. Mr. Bobbins seemed harmless with Zoe’s arms wrapped around him.

“Go freshen up and I’ll take care of the kitty.” Derek shooed her away.

Zoe released the cat and went into her bedroom, leaving the two of them alone. Maybe the other cat was an outlier and Derek

would make quick friends with Zoe’s pet.

The cat sauntered up to Derek’s socked feet, sniffed, and hissed. Derek jumped back. He wanted Mr. Bobbins to be the exception

to his bad luck with felines.

“Look, you and me, we have to be friends because I hope to be here a lot.”

Derek found the container of cat food on the counter. The tabby glared at him as he scooped some kibble into a purple ceramic

bowl. It looked hand-painted, like the kind you find at those paint your own pottery places.

“I think we can agree”—Derek paused to make sure the shower was still running—“that Zoe is a wonderful woman and maybe we

can both share her?”

Mr. Bobbins’s eyes narrowed and his fluffy orange tail flicked rapidly.

“Or maybe not.” He grabbed a can of tuna with olive oil from the cabinet above the cat’s food station. “Wow, you have fancy

taste. Is this from Italy?”

The cat’s tail stilled as he spotted the tuna.

“Ah, this is the way to your heart, isn’t it?” Derek popped the tab on the tuna.

Mr. Bobbins ran over and rubbed himself on Derek’s leg.

“See, we do have something in common. I can also be bribed with Italian food.”

The cat meowed in agreement as Derek spooned half of the tuna onto the dry food and mixed them together. It didn’t take long

for Mr. Bobbins to chow down his fancy tuna. Maybe the cat was just hungry and didn’t hate him. Or they’d come to an understanding.

As the cat licked his plate clean, Derek dug around the kitchen for plates and silverware for the two humans. He might as

well make takeout feel like a real dinner. He’d eaten too many meals out of boxes and bags the last couple of weeks. Unlike

the one Prestige Rep had given him, Zoe’s apartment was homey and cozy. He set the table and found a bottle of white wine

in the fridge.

They deserved a little celebration tonight. They’d worked long hours in preparation for the cast’s arrival. Tomorrow the next

stage of T ? m Cám would begin, with even more work and long hours.

And maybe tonight, once they were relaxed, he’d tell her that he wanted them to be more than friends.

Derek almost dropped a wineglass when Zoe stepped out of her room. She was glistening. Droplets of water had escaped her hair and were making the most glorious journey down her chest. She wore an oversize light green T-shirt with an extra wide neck so the creamy skin of her shoulder was exposed—with no visible bra strap. He was pretty sure if she turned around, he’d get a gorgeous view of her ass in those leggings.

“You clean up nice,” he tried to say in a way that didn’t sound like he’d been checking her out.

“I always do. And it feels so good to put on clean clothes.” She looked around the room for Mr. Bobbins, who was curled up

in his Danish cookie tin bed. “Did he eat?”

“Oh yeah, he loved the tuna.” The bowl had been licked clean. “Our food hasn’t arrived yet. How about a glass of wine?”

“Sounds perfect. Might as well get comfy while we wait,” she suggested as she waved at her couch.

He poured them each a glass before sitting down. She sat in her love seat next to the couch and tucked her feet under her.

Zoe looked as content as Mr. Bobbins did in his bed.

“A toast?” She raised her glass.

“To us,” he said as he lifted his.

“To me and you. We make a great team.” Zoe’s eyes were bright. Her wide smile made her rounded cheeks even more prominent.

The clinking of their glasses was as melodic as the Emperor’s duet with T ? m when he finally declared his true love for her.

Zoe was absolutely radiant. He’d never seen her this happy. So content. He couldn’t help but feel proud that he’d contributed

to her joy by inviting her to design the costumes for T ? m Cam .

Derek’s heart pounded. This was it. This was the right opportunity he’d been waiting for. He gulped his entire glass of wine.

“Whoa, Derek. Don’t forget we have to get up early tomorrow for the meet and greet.” She laughed but grabbed the bottle of

wine to refill both of their drinks.

“Zoe, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Derek’s throat suddenly dried up. He swallowed. “I’ve felt a deep

connection with you from the first time we met. And it wasn’t just because we’re both Vietnamese.”

He laughed nervously.

She turned her body to face him. Her expression was open and kind, like she always was when he had something important to

tell her.

“I think—I want—” He sighed and rubbed his jaw. An actor wasn’t supposed to trip over his words. But this wasn’t rehearsed

nor were they someone else’s words for him to recite. He had to trust himself.

“It’s okay, take your time.” She patted his hand gently.

He nodded and took a deep breath. Reset and start over.

“Zoe, I feel that there’s—”

Derek was interrupted by the worst sound he’d ever heard.

“Oh my God, Mr. Bobbins.” Zoe set her glass down and jumped out of her love seat. Her head spun as she tried to find her cat.

“He’s throwing up somewhere.”

That’s what the horrendous noise was? He’d never heard that from a cat, but vomiting was never a good thing.

“He’s by the door,” Derek exclaimed.

The cat was dry heaving next to Derek’s shoes. A few seconds later, Mr. Bobbins’s dinner landed inside his Chucks.

Fucking Mr. Bobbins and his awful timing. Derek was convinced the cat was determined to keep Zoe all to himself.

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