Page 24 of Something Cheeky

“What about naming it after whatever song Zoe was singing,” Josie suggested and hummed the melody.

“No, no, no, we can’t do that,” Zoe cried out. She clapped her hand over her mouth in surprise.

All four women gaped at her. She didn’t raise her voice often, but when she did they paid attention. Worried expressions covered their faces.

“Sorry, I—” Zoe stopped to compose her thoughts. She wasn’tsure how much she could tell them about the musical. Her Boss Babes were her ride or dies, but Derek had been there for her during college. “I promised someone to keep their secret.”

“Oooh, sounds juicy.” Reina rubbed her hands together in anticipation and slid into the booth next to Josie.

“Hush.” Keisha poked Reina’s arm and gestured for her to make room on the seat. “Zoe will tell us what she can.”

Andre set four more mugs of the elixir on their table and slipped away quietly. He must’ve sensed the serious vibes. He also knew better than to hover during their meetings. The last and only time he attempted to join them, the women had tried to revamp his bar menu. He’d learned quickly to allow the Boss Babes their space.

“Promise you won’t breathe a word about this,” Zoe whispered after Andre returned to the bar. She pointed at Trixie and Josie. “Not even your boyfriends.”

“Have some faith,” said Josie. “Besides, Spencer is in New Orleans right now.”

“Puh-lease. Y’all video chat every day,” added Reina.

Trixie and Keisha snort laughed. Josie’s eyes narrowed as she shushed them.

Zoe giggled. This was what she imagined it’d be like to have four sisters. Their exchange took the edge off her nerves. She took a deep breath.

“On Saturday, I ran into my college best friend, whom I haven’t seen in six years. He’s in town to direct a brand-new musical that’s probably headed to Broadway, and now he wants me to design the costumes because it’s based on the play we created together during school, except I gave up theater halfway through my senior year, then yesterday after dinner I gave him a hug and it felt like more than a hug but we’re only supposed to be friends and—”

“Breathe, girlie,” Reina cooed softly. Trixie rubbed Zoe’s back.

Zoe gasped for air. The last two days were a confusing jumble inher head. She wasn’t even sure if what she’d blurted out made sense. Her shoulders slumped in relief now that she’d told the Babes.

“That’s a lot of emotions in only two days. It’s going to be okay,” Trixie consoled her and pulled Zoe in for a side hug. Zoe leaned into her roommate as the other women murmured in agreement.

“Let’s start from the beginning,” suggested Josie, a problem solver who preferred to tackle challenges methodically.

“I’m a bit lost here, Zoe,” Trixie spoke into Zoe’s hair. “How come you’ve never mentioned this college bestie?”

“Does this bestie have a name?” Keisha asked. “And are we supposed to like him?”

“Derek,” said Zoe. She sat up. “Derek Bui from Auburn, outside of Syracuse. We met freshman year at CNY College.”

“Wait, I’ve heard of that place. Hordes of crows visit the town every spring. The trees are black because there’s so many of them.” Reina shuddered and her light skin had gone pale. “Can you imagine the noise and bird poop everywhere?”

“Reina, focus,” Josie said gently. Reina had a thing for weird facts and obscure documentaries. She also had an irrational fear of crows, yet couldn’t stop herself from watching YouTube videos about them.

“We were the only two Asian American freshmen in the drama program that year. We bonded quickly, especially since he’s also Vietnamese. I survived that program because of him.” Zoe smiled as she recalled the first time she met Derek.

“You never hooked up?” Reina side-eyed her. “You weren’t attracted to him a tiny bit?”

“Of course I noticed that he was cute when we first met. But we never dated because everyone expected us to get together because we were both Asian.” Zoe shook her head adamantly. She’d firmly put him in the friend zone based on principle and to subvert their classmates’ assumptions.

“Holy microaggression, Batman.” Keisha rolled her eyes. “Ignoramuses.”

She knew her friends would understand.

“After graduation, we went our separate ways,” Zoe continued. “He went to New York and became a successful director. I came home and apprenticed in Lola’s shop before opening Something Cheeky.”

She left out the part about how she’d hurt his feelings by moving back to DC. Zoe wasn’t ready to rehash that again.

“Now he’s back, and he wants you to work with him. Did I get that right?” Trixie asked.

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