“But transparency is important,” she said. “If you’re in a romantic relationship with someone who has relevant connections, it’s helpful to know.”
I knew full well what she was asking, but I didn’t want to answer. It wasn’t likeIknew. Julie and I weren’t dating, even though I’d pulled her back to my apartment more than once now to spend the night since that last time, that time when I’d almost been ready to let go and then she’d turned my world upside-down talking to Linyue.
And it tore me every which way. I wasn’t looking to date right now. She was cute, good in bed, and I was happy to enjoy it a few times, but even if she weren’t technically still married…
But there was something magnetic about her. She just burned so brightly, like nothing could stop her from moving forwards. For better or worse.
“I don’t know if you know this,” I said, “but people typically don’t date as a business decision.”
“So you are dating her?”
“Julie?” I shook my head. “Nothing like that. Just a friend.” I sipped my coffee, and I felt her eyes boring into me. I tried not to show anything, but who knows if I pulled it off?
“You’re not seeing anyone right now?”
“I’m focusing on work.” That was a true statement. She sighed.
“Things have gotten back on track with Cheng Shiyi,” she said. “He has still been curious to meet you again. Perhaps he can be persuaded to go and spend time with you and Ms. Branch. Perhaps with Ms. Fong as well.”
I still couldn’t wrap my head around Houdini’s magic, but I guess that was the point. As far as I understood, they’d kept in touch since they met, and now, Linyue had stopped tracking my location and was here apologizing for her reaction to the Williamsburg party, in her way. “I’m sure Julie would love to,” I said. “And we all know Estelle would. I’ll be happy to actually meet him at his residence this time.”
She made a face. “Well, the damage is done, unfortunately. He wants to meet you so he can go posture at another rooftop party. So you may as well invite him with you. Keep him happy.”
I laughed. “Estelle will be ecstatic to make sure that happens. Thanks, Linyue.”
“Hmm.” She knocked back the rest of her coffee, setting it down on the saucer and starting for the door. “Well, I have places to be. Remember what I said about Mr. Barakat. I won’t see you running a pointless event and dragging your name through the mud. I’ve updated your calendar.”
“Bye,” I laughed. “I will. Talk to you later.”
“Bye,” she said, and just like that, she was gone. I took a selfie with my coffee, sending it over to where I still had her contact saved as Cassandra and still felt strange about it.
HELENA
Linyue dragged me into a café to talk business. Did she send you anything about Mr. Barakat?
There was a long delay between her opening the message and responding. Looking at my face, I knew. Possibly picturing it above her at night. I wasn’t sad about it.
HOUDINI
He’s one of the people I should be looking for at the mixer, right? She sent me a whole dossier about people.
Also did you get your brows done?
HELENA
No, just had a makeup shoot, so I had about six different brow pencils go through them.
HOUDINI
Well, you look hot like this too, so clearly it’s working
Maybe they should have tried seven to see if it made you even hotter
I laughed, rolling my eyes as I finished my coffee. I could imagine her face right now, where she was probably worked into a nervous fit over a simple, unfiltered selfie and workshopped a few different ways to try flirting.
But I didn’t get to deliver a snappy response before I got another text.
STELLIE
