Chapter 29
Mr. Bobbins meowed loudly as soon as Zoe stuck the keys into her apartment door. He weaved between her legs, almost tripping
her as she tried to take off her shoes and set down her bags.
“My poor baby,” she cooed as she scooped him up and snuggled him against her chest. “Did you miss me?”
The fluff ball purred loudly and rubbed his head against her chin.
“I’ll make it up to you tonight. Promise,” she whispered so as not to wake up Trixie. “I had the best time last night, which
means you and Derek have to learn to be friends.”
He meowed pitifully. She wasn’t sure if it was in disagreement or if he could see the bottom of his kibble bowl. Zoe chuckled
and set down the tabby in order to feed him.
“Zoe,” Trixie said sleepily as she made her way into the living room. “You’re home.”
“Morning! I picked up some bagels.” Zoe knew she was way too perky for nine in the morning, but she couldn’t hide it after
the numerous orgasms Derek had given her. She’d lost count after the first three.
“Is this a bribe so I don’t ask why you didn’t come home last night?” Trixie squinted at the overstuffed paper bag on the
kitchen counter.
“No. Because I’m going to tell you anyway.” Zoe pressed her lips together to keep a giant grin from taking over her face. She should make coffee to help Trixie wake up before dumping everything on her.
“Oooh, chocolate chip ones!” Trixie held up the bagel in a victory pose. “And they’re still warm.”
“A little something for taking care of Mr. Bobbins yesterday.”
Trixie narrowed her eyes at Zoe.
“I slept with Derek,” Zoe exclaimed.
Trixie dropped her bagel. It rolled across the kitchen and landed next to Mr. Bobbin’s food dish. He hissed and pawed at it
before walking over to his bed. Zoe laughed at her cat as she tossed the bagel in the trash can.
“I know! Crazy, right?” Zoe’s entire body buzzed with excitement. “Everything happened so fast.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I jumped right back into Andre’s pants, so I can’t judge.”
“But?” Zoe sensed there was more.
“It just feels fast for you .” Trixie’s voice was full of concern.
“It is and it isn’t.” Zoe dug out another chocolate chip bagel and handed it to her roommate.
“I woke up less than ten minutes ago, so explain it to me like I’m a drunk bachelorette at one of my sex-toy demos.” Trixie
took a bite out of the bagel without slicing it. Happy food sounds emanated from her. “Because the entire time I’ve been in
the DMV, you have rejected all possible dates.”
“You know I need some sort of emotional connection with a person before I can be attracted to them.”
Trixie nodded as she chewed.
“He’s my oldest friend and knows more about me than anyone else. Even the Boss Babes. It never occurred to me that he was
potential partner material until I got jealous. I thought he was dating one of the actresses.” Zoe laughed. She’d been so
upset but now it was silly of her.
“So you finally realized that you had the hots for him and jumped him?” Trixie raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“Basically, yes.” Zoe updated her on what had happened at the bar and then at Derek’s apartment.
“You’re bouncing around the kitchen like one of those karaoke dots over the lyrics, so I assume he’s just as talented in the
bedroom department?”
“I’ve never felt so alive.” Zoe’s cheeks grew warm and she fanned herself with a potholder. “And we did it again this morning.”
“I’m proud of you for taking the lead. So what does this mean for the two of you?”
“I’ve been complaining about how I wanted more excitement,” Zoe reminded her. “ This is what I’ve been missing. Me and Derek. Me designing costumes for the musical. It’s the perfect Venn diagram.”
“It’s way too early to discuss Venn diagrams,” groaned Trixie.
The coffeemaker beeped as if to stall other logic puzzles. Zoe poured two mugs and squeezed in obscene amounts of sweetened
condensed milk before sliding one over to Trixie.
“Are you sure this is what you really want—with Derek?”
“You’re worried I’m making the wrong decision?” Zoe frowned.
“Make sure you’re not rushing into things, okay? You impulsively kissed him two days ago—on our couch.” Trixie pointed into
the living room. “And now you’re suddenly a couple?”
“We’re keeping our relationship a secret until opening night, since he’s technically my boss on this show.”
“Good idea.” She didn’t seem convinced.
“Even though we’re doing this relationship thing out of order, we’ll go on a real date soon. Don’t you worry about me.” Zoe
refused to let Trixie’s concerns ruin her mood.
“What about your plans to launch your Viet-inspired fashion collection?”
“Everything is going to plan. The costumes for the musical are inspired by my collection. Once the actors are settled, I’ll invite the women to model my sample garments at the opening night reception.”
“Are you sure you can manage the costumes and sample pieces in time? That’s a lot of work.” Trixie’s brow knotted in worry.
“I don’t have a choice. Derek says they’re inviting the who’s who of Asian celebrities to opening night.”
“Like who?” Trixie dipped a piece of her bagel in her coffee and popped it into her mouth.
“I don’t know, but we’re dreaming big. Can you imagine Kelly Marie Tran or Stephanie Hsu seeing my designs and asking for
custom pieces?” Zoe spun around in a circle as if she were a model at the end of the catwalk.
“What if they could get Michelle Yeoh or Priyanka Chopra?” Trixie hopped off the stool and proceeded to catwalk through their
living room. “I can model one of your pieces, too.”
Zoe laughed and joined her roommate as they strutted around their living room.
The last two days felt surreal, magical, almost like how the gods guided T ? m to her Emperor. It’d been a long time since Zoe felt so exhilarated about what she was doing. And who she was doing. Didn’t she deserve some excitement in her life?