Page 13 of Origins of Eternity

“Holy crap!” she exclaimed.

“What?” Arwen asked.

“Nothing,” she said, tucking her phone away.

The reason this wine was the best she had ever had was that it cost nearly six thousand dollars a bottle.

“I’m sorry; I’ve been very rude. I didn’t get your name,” Iro said.

“Zara,” she said quickly. “Arwen’s best friend.”

“It’s nice to meet you. How long have you two been friends?”

“About ten years,” Arwen replied this time. “We met through work.”

“And what is it that you do?” Iro asked before taking a drink.

“I’m a lawyer.”

“And I’m just a paralegal,” Zara said.

Iro looked at her inquisitively and asked, “Why do you sayjust?”

“Because I’m not a lawyer, and most people think less of paralegals. They think we couldn’t get through law school or something.”

“I don’t,” Iro said. “I assume paralegals chose their professions in the same ways attorneys do.”

“Yes. I liked the law, but becoming a paralegal was faster and cheaper.”

“Makes perfect sense to me,” Iro replied.

Zara hated this woman. No, she didn’t. She liked her, actually. Iro had spent over ten thousand dollars on drinks for them and had been kind to her just now. Zara hated that Iro’sarm had shifted a little on the back of the booth and was getting dangerously close to Arwen’s shoulders, though.

“I should go,” she said quickly.

“What?” Arwen asked right when the bartender arrived and set down her drink before promptly returning to his place behind the bar. “My drink just got here,” she added. “And you told me you wanted to talk to me about something.”

“I’ve interrupted,” Iro said. “My apologies. I shouldn’t have–”

“It’s fine,” Zara said. “I get tired when I drink red wine, even the really good stuff, apparently. I should get home and get some sleep, and we can talk tomorrow or something. It’s not urgent.”

She’d already waited three years. She could wait another day. Or, maybe she’d have to wait until another of Arwen’s relationships fizzled out for her chance. She just hoped she had enough time.

“Are you sure?” Arwen asked.

“Yeah. We drove separately, and I’m okay to drive home. The good stuff made me a little sleepy but not drunk, so that’s good. I’m only five minutes away. Areyouokay?” she asked and swallowed, wanting Arwen to tell her that she would go with her, leave this place, and never speak of this Iro woman again.

“I’m okay,” Arwen replied instead.

Iro took another drink of her bourbon and said nothing. Arwen then picked up her new drink and took a sip, too.

“Text me later so I know you’re okay?” Zara requested, grabbing her purse off the booth next to her.

“Sure,” Arwen replied. “Drive safe, please.”

“Put that in the trunk,” Iro suggested.

“Sorry?”