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“Admit it, you kinda want me to send you something naughty to get you going.”

“Ms. Sparrow, I am going to take a nap now. I shall see you later, and we shall have our date later tonight after I’ve had the chance to go home and freshen up.”

“I told you the hotel, right?”

“The Lion Orchard. Very fancy. I know how to get to it easily.”

“I can’t wait to see you. Naked, of course.”

“Good night, Ms. Sparrow.”

Elle leaned back in her seat and turned on her TV. Her thoughts were too scattered to work on her laptop or to get any sleep. Better to watch an old TV show that would in no way remind her of Arianna Song or the wonderful things they would get up to later.

“I hope it’s to your liking.” Elle closed the curtains as the sun finished setting on the Singaporean skyline. At the nearby table sat Arianna in a new pair of jeans and a collared shirt that accentuated her long neck and dainty chin. It took everything within Elle’s power to not approach and cover her in kisses. “When you said you were fine with anything seafood, I went nuts with the menu.”

“I love cereal prawns.” Arianna dipped one in whatever came with the dish, something Elle had not inspected since she wasn’t as into seafood as the locals. I know. Sacrilegious. As someone from the Pacific Northwest, she felt that in her bones. “You sure you don’t want any?”

“I’m still full of my pasta.” It had taken Elle much less time to eat than the pile of prawns the kitchen delivered for their dinner. Here in Singapore, they couldn’t risk being seen in a restaurant where someone might recognize Arianna. At the end of the day, Singapore was a small city-state. That was fine. Neither of them minded a night-in at one of the city’s hotels with a great view of the sea.

“Have you ever had chili crab? It’s a staple here.”

“I’ve heard of it, but I don’t care for shellfish.”

She had also ordered them wine and chocolate for dessert, but Arianna claimed to be too full after eating her prawns. Elle put the chocolate in the refrigerator and offered Arianna a glass of wine anyway. There was always water on hand.

“You have work tomorrow?” Arianna asked her when they were both sitting at the table.

“Yes. Weekend meetings. That’s my life.”

“Some people never stop working in Singapore. Even my sister works on Saturdays.”

“She lives in Singapore too? I thought you were from Malaysia.”

“She followed me here to get a job. It’s common.”

“Are your parents back in Malaysia then?”

“Just our mother. Our father left. I believe I told you on our first date.”

“You’re right. Sorry to make you say it again.”

“It’s all right.” Arianna placed her chopsticks on the plate and gently set it all aside. She claimed her wineglass and peered into its contents before having a sip. “My sister was the one who picked me up from the airport after my shift. She doesn’t always drive me to and from work, but we’re close. Sometimes it’s the most time we spend together. She’s one of the only people who gets to see me with my hair down.”

“Literally, huh?”

“Well, yes.”

Elle leaned her elbow against the table. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble asking you to come here. I don’t want you to get questions you can’t answer.”

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s easy enough to get here on the MRT, and there are so many restaurants in the area that if somebody sees me I can say something innocent. It’s not like in Los Angeles where we’re more likely to be seen together.”

“I’m glad. I like spending time with you. I hope you enjoy my company as well.”

“Of course.” Her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink when she said that. “Even though we’ve only met up one time before now, it feels like we’ve known each other a while.”

“All of the chatting online has helped, I’m sure. By the way, I like the pictures you take. For some reason, I don’t appreciate the sights here like I should.”

“Because you’re always traveling and working?”