Chapter 51
Zoe washed her hands and straightened the neckline on her dress. She could spare a few seconds for a quick check in the bathroom
mirror before heading out to the opening-night reception. The actors had received a five-minute-long standing ovation at curtain
call, which had given her a chance to beat the crowd to the bathroom. Downing a large iced coffee to calm her nerves before
the show had been a mistake.
“Excuse me,” a petite Asian woman a couple of sinks down asked. She was wearing what had to be a custom dress, because it
fit her perfectly. “Are you Zoe Tran, the costume designer?”
“Yes, I am,” Zoe said proudly. This was the first stranger who’d recognized her from the program.
“Is that your design, too?” She gestured to Zoe’s deep purple satin dress. “It’s stunning.”
Zoe nodded. She’d kept the classic áo dài silhouette, but she’d skipped the high collar. She’d draped the fabric to create
a dramatic asymmetrical off-the-shoulder neckline. Underneath she wore matching straight-legged satin pants pressed with a
sharp crease.
“It’s my take on a modern áo dài. I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m Lan Hoang.” She shook Zoe’s hand. “I’m a stylist and have some high-profile clients who would love your work. I know
Kelly Marie would love your designs.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped.
“As in the Kelly Marie Tran?”
Lan winked. “And many others.”
“Wow. That would be amazing.” Zoe tried to play it cool but a giant grin spread across her face.
“Can I see your phone?” She tapped on Zoe’s phone and then Lan’s phone vibrated. “There. Now we have each other’s numbers.
I’ll reach out to you next week.”
“I look forward to it,” Zoe said calmly, even though she wanted to jump up and down in excitement.
“I’ll see you at the reception.” She nodded and exited Zoe’s life as quickly as she’d entered it.
If Lan’s confident stride in the three-inch heels was any indication of the woman’s ambition, Zoe would be foolish to pass
up this opportunity. She couldn’t wait to find Derek to share the good news.
An impromptu receiving line had formed next to the lobby bar. Derek grinned ear-to-ear as people shuffled through to offer
their congratulations. Zoe could tell that Derek’s eyes were beginning to glaze over and a tick was starting in his cheek
from smiling too long.
“Excuse me,” Zoe interrupted as she sidled up to Derek. She batted her eyes at the gray-haired man still shaking Derek’s hand.
“I need to borrow Mr. Director for a bit.”
“Apologies. Please enjoy the opening reception and bar.” Derek bowed and waved his arm toward the bar.
“I needed a break. Thank you,” he whispered in relief as she tucked her arm into his elbow and led him toward a quiet corner
of the lobby.
She grabbed two glasses of champagne off a tray from the nearest waitstaff. The caterer had transformed the large atrium with
several stations of tiny hors d’oeuvres and desserts. All Vietnamese-inspired, obviously.
“Once again, I’m here to save my damsel in distress,” she teased.
“I could’ve stepped away whenever I wanted.” Derek pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Yeah, you saved me lots
of small talk.”
Zoe laughed and handed him a glass for a toast. “Congrats, babe. You did it!”
“No, we all did it.” Derek wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
Zoe sighed happily in his embrace. It was freeing to hold him and kiss him publicly without worrying about a certain former
artistic director being around.
“There you are!” A familiar feminine voice called out to them.
Derek groaned and broke off their kiss. Zoe blinked her eyes open to find his mother waving at them. Zoe’s mom was right behind
her. Their moms had met for the first time the day before and—to no one’s surprise—hit it off immediately.
“We’ve been looking for you two, but you’re hiding back here making out,” her mom said a little too loudly.
“Mom!” Zoe blushed. “Keep your voice down, please.”
“All this kissing will lead to grandbabies,” her mother said in a marginally lower voice as she nodded in approval.
“Not yet Co H ? ng,” Derek’s mother tugged on H ? ng’s arm. “They need to get married first.”
“Yes, Ch ? Linh, we should meet with the fortune teller to find an auspicious date,” replied her mom. “I know just the person.”
“Will you two stop!” Zoe laughed. “Let us enjoy tonight first.”
Both moms tsked at them. Suddenly, they were planning their wedding as if Derek and Zoe weren’t standing next to them.
“They’re not going to stop,” Derek mock-whispered. “Are you hungry?”
“There are some adorable bánh mì sliders calling my name.” Zoe pointed at a table across the lobby. “Think we can make it over there without being stopped?”
“Mission accepted.” Derek winked. “I’ll make us a plate. You grab some drinks and meet me on the balcony.”
Five minutes later, they were finally alone, outside in the warm summer air. This late at night, Southwest was fairly quiet
except for a few cars and a couple of folks walking their dogs. She’d sweet-talked TJ into grabbing a bottle of champagne
from behind the bar.
“I didn’t realize how loud it was inside until we came out here.” Zoe tore off the foil from the bottle. “Too bad we can’t
see the Potomac River from here now that the high-rises are up.”
“I’ve got the perfect view from here,” Derek said, looking directly at her.
“Kiss up.” She laughed.
“You read my mind.” Derek pulled her in for a deep kiss.
Kissing him under the stars was all she needed right now. Tech and dress rehearsals had kept them busy. This moment was the
first time they’d been alone and too exhausted for more than a peck on the lips before passing out.
“How about we skip the reception and sneak back to my apartment,” suggested Derek. His hand ran lazy circles around her back,
leaving tingles in its path.
“As tempting as that sounds, our moms would kill us.” Zoe chuckled as she imagined the two women storming the lobby to find
them as they called out both their names.
“By the time we go back inside, they’ll have names picked out for our future kids,” Derek joked. “I’d rather stay out here
with you.”
“Me, too.” She leaned against his shoulder. They swayed to the muffled music coming from inside. Zoe wasn’t ready to discuss
how they’d handle their relationship once Derek returned to New York. His contract was technically fulfilled tonight.
“Mr. Perez wants me to make a speech later,” he said as he glanced at the glass doors.
“Then we should eat before you return to your duties. I’m starved.” Zoe studied the two plates that he’d loaded with food.
“Look how adorable these tiny egg rolls are.”
She bit into the crispy outer wrapper and murmured in appreciation. They were almost as good as the ones from her parents’
restaurant. Almost.
“I have news,” Derek blurted.
His cheeks were flushed, but it wasn’t due to nervousness or anxiety. He had a little bounce of excitement. It didn’t feel
like bad news.
“I have something, too. You first,” she said encouragingly.
“Mr. Perez pulled me aside after the preshow donor dinner.”
She was supposed to be his date, but Katie Mai’s persimmon dress had snagged on a set piece during sound check. Even though
she and TJ had worked as quickly as they could to fix it, Zoe had barely made it to her seat next to Derek before the house
lights went down.
“Everything okay?” Zoe held her breath.
“He introduced me to Mike Chen, who’s a new board member and donor.”
“ The Mike Chen, tech millionaire?” Zoe exclaimed. She’d never met him but knew he was a private partner of Hazel’s Kitchen.
“Mike thinks he can get enough people to produce the show on Broadway.”
“Are you serious?” Zoe yelled and immediately clapped her hand over her mouth.
“I couldn’t believe it either, but our musical might go big-time.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Our dream is coming
true.”
“Another toast then.” Zoe filled their glasses.
“There’s something else,” Derek added before taking a long sip.
Zoe’s entire body tensed while she waited for him to drop the news that he would return to New York and ask her to move with him. She didn’t want to choose between her career and him.
“The board asked me to be the next artistic director for Prestige Rep.”
“No way!” She blew out a breath in relief. “And?”
“I’m taking it. We’re meeting next week to hash out details.” Derek beamed.
“You’re staying in DC?!” Zoe threw her arms around him in a giant bear hug.
“I was hoping we could move in together. If Mr. Bobbins will have me.”
“I get the final vote, but he might appreciate some tuna-flavored bribes.”
“I can do that.” Derek laughed. “I haven’t told my mom yet, but I’m hoping she’ll move down here, too. It would be good to
have her close by again.”
“If you can’t convince her, I’m sure my mom can.”
“Those two together will be trouble!” Derek exclaimed dramatically. “What’s your news?”
Zoe told him about her run-in with the celebrity stylist in the bathroom.
“Does this mean you’re done with theater?”
“For now. It’s time for me to launch my new formal-wear line. I used The Brocaded Slipper as an excuse to delay it because I was scared. But I’m ready now.” The more she said it out loud, the more confident she
felt about her decision.
“I don’t want to take time away from your new fashion collection, but will you help us bring the show to New York?”
“Are you kidding? I’m not letting anyone mess up my designs.” She huffed at the thought. “I’ll come out of retirement only
for you.”
The music suddenly sounded clearer and louder. They turned to see Heather with her head out of the lobby door. “Derek, it’s almost speech time.”
“Be right there,” he replied.
“Five minutes.” Heather held up a hand to emphasize. “You’re on after Mr. Perez introduces Mike Chen.”
“Thank you, five,” Derek said automatically.
Heather gave him a thumbs-up and disappeared.
“Well, Mr. Artistic Director, are you ready for your adoring fans?” Zoe asked as she straightened his collar.
“As long as I have you, all the other fans don’t matter.”
“You’re so sappy, but you’re my sap,” she teased. Her tone grew serious as she looked into his eyes. “I love you, Derek.”
“I love you, Zoe, too.” He brushed her cheek.
“We have three more minutes out here.” Zoe tiptoed up to meet his lips. “Kiss me again.”