Page 32 of Like It's 1999

“Yes. That was excellent intel. I’ve already got some photos that I—So, do you live anywhere?”

He laughs again. “Uh, yes.”

I shake my head in a desperate attempt to shake out the giddy feeling I get every time I talk to this man.Playing with fire, Alice.But it’s worth it. For Kate. “Weird question, I know. But I don’t. Live anywhere, really. I gave up my apartment when I got the second book deal because I’m on the road all the time. I use my parents’ or my publisher as mail drops, but it’d be good if I could send these pictures to someone. Like, someone who can help me secretly get the carousel full of slides where it needs to be in a couple weeks?”

When he doesn’t immediately reply, I start to wonder if I’ll have to actually ask my parents for the favor, which I hate to do because things are still awkward with them. They’re proud of my first book—a photo-essay collection profiling a wide range of Korean-American immigrants—but they still don’t understand why I can’t fix things with Tim. Or marry some other guy. Or why I’ve moved on to immigrants from other countries.

Thankfully, Steve finally answers. “One question: are you calling because you need just anyone or because you need me?”

“Don’t go all Lloyd Dobler on me. You think I’d tell anybody else about this plan? Well, except for Will, but… we can’t tell him too much. He’s a terrible liar.”

“Weird, isn’t it? You’d think as an actor, he’d be good at that.”

“You’d think. But he’s almost spilled the beans already. I had to think fast when Kate called asking why Will needed my email address. The dumbass.”

“What did you tell her?”

“Oh, something about a casting director I met when I was in Los Angeles doing interviews. Thankfully, Kate bought the story. I just hope Will backs me up. Anyway, can I send you the goods?”

“Already emailed you my address. Hey, I wanted to tell you. I read your book.”

“‘Oh, you’re the one.’”

“Good Will Huntingjokes aside—and we do need to talk about that movie someday??—”

“Over a ‘bunch of caramels’?”

The second reference to the movie is rewarded with a laugh that melts all my reserves. “Exactly. Anyway, I thought the book was so… ”

“Long?”

“I was going to say eye-opening. I had no idea how hard it is to get into the U.S. You did an amazing job of getting your subjects to open up. Plus the photos. It was like you peeled away layers of… I don’t know. It was like their hope and determination was right there on the page.”

“Wow. Thank you. It’s been quite the?—” The squawky voice of the airport intercom pulls my gaze to the gate. “Oh shit. My plane’s about to leave. Thanks, man. Smell ya later.”

And then I hang up before I can get myself in real trouble.

Heaving my camera bag and my carry-on over my shoulder—it’s crazy how my whole life fits in two bags now—I pull the stylus from the PDA Steve talked me into buying. I’ll never tell him how much I love it because… well, a girl’s got to have at least some mystery, right? Poking at the screen, I find Steve’s email.

I almost trip over my own feet when I read the mailing address he sent.

Steve’s back in Boston? When the fuck did that happen?

STEVE

There are so many parties at this hotel that it takes several trips up and down the elevators before I finally find the placard identifying Kate’s event. The moment I step inside, I hear “Hot Steve!”

Hearing my old nickname from Kate is actually kind of nice. I open my arms wide. “Come ’ere, you.”

She pats me on the back when I pull her in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too.” Shifting to her side, I scan the room. “Where’s Will? And hey, happy anniversary. Number ten, right?”

“Yep. Can’t believe it.” She makes a face. “Unfortunately, he’s not here. We had a babysitter snafu, so he’s with the kids.” She gestures around the room. “As soon as I talk these people out of their money, I’ll meet him back there for our little party. You’re coming, right?”

Tapping a finger on my chin, I pretend to consider it, even as I’m scrambling, hoping we can pull off the caper without Will’s help. “I don’t know. So many end-of-the-millenium New Year’s Eve party invitations.”

She pokes at my chest. “Alice will be there.”

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