Page 70 of Origins of Eternity

“No, hers, but I agreed with it. We both wanted to make sure that we were ready.”

“I see,” Zara said and looked around the kitchen. “Well, then, I take back my sex comment.”

“Thank you, I guess,” she said and picked up her own coffee cup. “I don’t know what to do here, Zara. I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I want to be with Iro. And I’d like you to get to know her so that you can see that she’s really just a normal, genuine person who, yes, happens to have money, but she works really hard for it, too.”

Zara laughed and said, “Sure. Maybe sometime in the future. I’m not sold yet.”

“Sold on what, exactly?”

“That this thing between the two of you is going to work out. It’s too new, Arwen. You get infatuated with women, and it never works out.”

“I’m not infatuated with her. I’m in love with her, and I think I have been since I first saw her.”

“Oh, come on… You’ve never believed in that love-at-first-sight stuff. Now, you suddenly do?”

“I didn’t believe it because it hadn’t happened to me at that point, but it has now. And I’m not sure what is going on with you, but I don’t appreciate you treating me like this, Zara. Iro aside, I’m your best friend, and I don’t deserve this.”

Zara sighed and said, “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m dealing with some stuff right now, and I’m taking it out on you.”

“What stuff? Talk to me. I’m here. We can grab a drink tonight or just hang out at your place or mine and talk about whatever you want. I won’t bring Iro up once, if that’s what you need.”

Zara swallowed hard and said, “Maybe. I’ll have to let you know. I have thoseplans, remember?”

“Yeah,” Arwen said, defeated, just as someone walked through the open door of the kitchen.

“I was told Arwen Lam is in here,” a guy said.

Arwen and Zara looked up and saw him holding a vase, green this time, with at least two dozen deep-red roses.

“Oh, my God,” Arwen said.

“Is that you?” the guy asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Of course,” Zara muttered under her breath, but Arwen still heard her.

“You can just set them down here, I guess,” Arwen told him.

“Sign here, please,” he said.

Arwen did and went to see if she had any cash on her at all.

“My purse is in my office.”

“It’s okay. Tip was taken care of in advance.”

Arwen could swear that sheheardZara’s eyes roll.

“Okay. Well, thank you,” she said before the delivery guy walked out of the room, leaving them alone again. “I can’t believe she keeps doing this. I don’t have any space left to put these.”

She smiled at the roses and pulled out the card to read to herself.

“Let me guess… It’s a love poem,” Zara said.

Beautiful Arwen,

I loved our night last night, as well as waking up next to you this morning. I would like to request that you join me again at my home tonight for dinner and a quiet night in, where we can talk in front of the fire and sip delicious wine. And, if you would be so kind, please also pack a bag.