Page 12 of Pride & Precedents

"Forgive my sister," Rory interrupts before I can continue my ode to all things Song Kang. "Mila isobsessedwith K-dramas. She knows all the actors. She has a watch party any time a new show drops." Rory continues, despite the scarlet shade of my cheeks. "She even taught herself how to make chamchi gimbap and hoedeopbap. My brother, Gabe, and I were her guinea pigs. Did I say that right?"

"You sure did," Noah smiles, clearly amused and surprised by my fan-girling.Dios mio! Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut?I can feel the redness spreading down to my neck.

"What can I say?" I shrug. "The food in all of them looks so good, I just had to try it. If this one," I point to Henry, "ever lets me take a vacation, I might have to visit Seoul in person."

"If you want authentic Korean food without the expensive flight, you can always come to our house on Sundays. With five sons who were like bottomless pits, Mom can throw down."

My eyes dart back to Henry to gauge his reaction to the invitation; he's bobbing his head in agreement.Can a person die from shock?

"Sure. I'll have to take you up on that."Not.

For the next hour, the drinks keep flowing and Noah wows us all with stories of crazy clients. He doesn't give us names, of course, but from what I can tell, all actors are either crazy, neurotic, high-maintenance, or all three. If Entertainment Law is in my future, at least it won't be boring.

Henry tells a few embarrassing stories at Noah's expense, but avoids anything about clients, even without sharing names. Ever the boy scout. Meanwhile, I've been plotting Rory's death for flirting so shamelessly, falling all over him whenever he says something even remotely clever. She and I are going to have to have someseriousgirl talk later.

Despite doing his best to maintain the celebratory mood, something still seems off with Henry. His smiles don't reach his eyes, and I'm guessing whatever was bothering him at work is still in the back of his head. Noah stands from the table, gulping down the last of his whiskey soda.

"All right, ladies and gents. I've got to call it a night."

"Boo!," yells Rory, eager to continue the party. Ah, to be twenty-five again. Noah lets out a good-natured chuckle.

"Sorry to kill the party, Rory." He eats a fry off Henry's plate. "As I said, I've got the tab. Get home safely, everyone."

Rory stands up and grabs her cardigan. It may be spring, but winter isn't quite ready to let go.

"I need to head out, too. I'm doing some AD work for my friend's indie production and I'm pretty sure call time is," she looks at her watch and groans, "five hours from now."

"Ouch!" says Henry. He stands to hug Rory as she leaves. "Nice to meet you, Rory. Get home safe."

She hugs him back tightly, and I have to suppress a growl. I avert my eyes to hide my jealousy, but when I look up, she winks and walks towards the door.Busted again!Noah looks meaningfully between Henry and I.

"Looks like it's just you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Henry rolls his eyes and settles back down in his seat.

"Later, bro."

And now we're alone. It's just me, my super hot boss, and way too many drinks. I'm pretty sure there are at least ten movies about this sort of thing. Henry's leaned back against the back of the booth, his eyes closed. His Adam's apple is pronounced against his strong and defined neck.Am I really checking out a neck? Get a grip, girl!I clear my throat, hoping that will clear my lustful thoughts, too.

"So, are you drunk enough to tell me the truth about you and our new VIP client?" Henry lifts his head and opens his mouth to protest. "And don't tell me it's nothing, because you werenotyourself today."

He sighs and actually seems a bit chagrined. I've never seen the expression on his face, and it makes him look ten years younger. Vulnerable.

"Well…" he hesitates briefly, before shrugging to himself and continuing. "Naomi wasn't technically my girlfriend, but we knew each other in the biblical sense during law school. Right before I was going to take things to the next level, she hooked up with my teammate from crew."

Henry can tell from my face, I don't know what "crew" is.

"That's rowing? The long, skinny boats with four guys on them?"

"Got it. Continue."

Henry looks confused.

"There's not much more to the story. Apparently, she liked my teammate enough to marry him. He's Tanner Moore, fitness mogul and her soon-to-be ex-husband."

I sit back against the booth, flabbergasted.

"Shit. What are the odds?"

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