“Off to secure the Jewel funding or die trying,” I said, standing up slowly. “Once again, you seem to have won her over.”
She scratched the back of her head. “I mean, yeah. Just look how charming and likable I am.”
I put my finger under her chin, tilting her up to meet me. “I’ll say.”
She blushed. “Buh.”
“I’ll say.” I kissed her. I started slow and deepened it more and more, my heart beating faster in my chest, thinking about all of Estelle’s insistence, Linyue’s insistence.
Hell, even fucking Kingmaker’s insistence. Although I wasn’t inclined to take his advice too seriously.
I took my time with her, kissing slowly, going between soft and tender things to deep, languid kisses, on and on, as Julie melted into me with the sweetest little noises, her hands caressing my sides.
“You know,” I started, speaking against her lips.
“Probably not. My brain is all gone once you start kissing me.”
“Linyue was talking about you.”
“Oh, I’m sure she was.”
“Saying… I don’t know.” What was I even saying right now? I didn’t do well with things like having a girlfriend. And especially in the middle of everything like this? But…
“Oh, did I kiss the words right out of you? You see how it feels? You see what it’s like to live my life?”
“Listen,” I laughed, and I kissed her again just to buy a second while I tried to work out what I was even supposed to say in a situation like this, but the universe must have sensed my hesitation, because I heard a buzz, and I looked back at where my phone was lit up on the coffee table. Estelle’s name. Of course Estelle was calling me at a time like this. You tried to kissonegirl and she was there asking for details.
“All the girls want you right now, huh?” Julie said, pouting, and I laughed wryly as I picked it up.
“Relax, darling. Estelle’s not my type.”
“You made out with her once, though!”
I stopped with the phone halfway to my ear. “She told you that, huh?”
She looked away, pouting harder. “Said it was the ultimate proof she wasn’t gay.”
I smiled. “Did it make you jealous?”
“Yes.”
I ruffled her hair. “If she asked now, I’d say no.”
She mumbled something that probably didn’t need to be audible anyway, and I answered the phone.
“Estelle. To what do I owe the pleasure while I’m trying to have a nice evening?”
“You can bring her along and kiss her here,” Estelle said brightly. “It’s a fancy loft party in SoHo! Come on, bring your girl.”
“I’m—Estelle, it’s a quarter to midnight.”
“So? We’re young and wild and free. And besides, I… have a secret surprise.”
“You talked to Mr. Cheng,” I said flatly, and she squawked indignantly.
“What? How did you know?”
“BecauseLinyueknew, and she came storming in to demand vengeance. Askedmy girlto come meet her alone in the building lobby, so it was a bit tense.” Julie squished into herself atmy girl,so I decided to add some fuel to the fire, putting an arm around her back and pulling her into my side.
