Lori

I flip open my laptop, and within seconds, Zoey’s face fills the screen. Her hair is perfectly messy, like she’s just stepped out of a whirlwind—probably a whirlwind of Parisian adventures, knowing her.

She’s holding a glass of champagne with a huge grin on her face.

“Lori!” she bubbles. “You won’t believe the madness here. It's all so crazy—I'm running around like a headless chicken. But it’s a beautiful kind of madness. Everything’s coming together perfectly for the wedding, and I swear, this family is just so... extra.” She pauses to take a dip of her drink. “But enough about me, what’s going on with you?”

I lean back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. Where do I even begin?

It's been some time since we spoke and feels like everything that's been happening is too much to update her in one sitting.

“Same old. Work’s been... well, work. You know how it is.”

Zoey eyes me through the screen as if trying to see if I'm lying or not.

“No. You’re holding out on me. Spill it.”

I look away, not sure I should, but she’s my best friend. She’s going to figure it out sooner or later.

“Well, I... kissed someone.”

Her eyes widen like I've never kissed people before. “Saucy! Who did you kiss?”

“It wasn’t planned or anything. It just happened," I launch into explanation mode but she just wants the name.

“Lori?”

“Mmh?”

“Name.”

I roll my eyes, getting comfortable in my chair.

"Just someone from wor--”

Zoey is glaring at me and I have no choice.

“Marcel. It was Marcel.”

Zoey leans forward after concealing her shock.

“Oh, someone from work. Is that the same person we thought you hated because she's a stuck up bitch and a daddy's princess?”

I scrunch my nose and nod.

"Wow...." Zoey is being too dramatic about it even over the phone. "Sleeping with the enemy, are we?"

I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck.

“It's not like that. I don’t even know what happened. It just did.”

Lies, but my hope is she doesn't see past them.

Zoey’s jaw drops. “Is she a better kisser than she is a person?”

I laugh again. "Not really. It was terrible."

More lies. It was fantastic and something I even did twice and would want to do again a thousand more times.

She grins wide, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Oh, that's just rich coming from someone who won't stop blushing ?”

I roll my eyes again. At this point they may just rush out of the socket.

Zoey raises an eyebrow. “Ohhh, Lori, you bad girl.”

“It...it's not a big deal.”

Zoey’s expression turns to mischief.

“Come on, I can see it in your face. You’re not fooling anyone. You’re all in for that bitch, aren’t you?”

I exhale.

“She’s fun. It’s just easy, you know? And I don't think I want to mess that up for now.”

Zoey’s expression shifts to concern.

“Lori. That's dangerous. Before you know it, she’ll be the only thing you think about. And guess what? She’s not the kind of girl who stays around for serious stuff. She’s probably a ‘let’s have fun now, but I’m out when it gets real’ kind of girl. You know that, right?”

I nod. “So who says I want real?”

I smirk even when I know I don't believe that.

Zoey lets out a sigh. “I get it, you feel that way now but just don’t let her fool you.”

I look at her, grateful for her honesty, but I don’t know how to respond. I’m not sure I agree with her entirely. There’s something about Marcel that feels crazy real. I'm not trying to get attached but she is making it so hard.

I feel like I don't have to pretend around her.

And...

No, I'm not that naíve. Julian should be a lesson enough.

“Okay, okay. I’ll keep my distance,” I say, even though I won't.

Zoey gives me a skeptical look. “I’m not convinced. But hey, you’re a grown woman. Do what you want. Just... don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “I won’t. I’ll be fine.”

Zoey grins. “Good. But enough about you and your workplace drama. I’ve got some juicy stuff to tell you.”

Finally a change of subject.

“Okay. Spill.”

Zoey leans in, lowering her voice as if sharing some big secret.

“So, remember that cute French guy I was telling you about? Antonio?”

I smile. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned how much you want to bang him.”

Her eyes light up.

“Oh my god, Lori. It’s going amazing. We’ve been spending so much time together, and I swear, every time we’re together, it’s magic. He’s... well, he’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

I can hear how happy she is about this guy and it makes me smile.

Zoey’s been through her fair share of not-so-great guys, so hearing her so excited about someone is satisfying.

“It's Paris Zoey, what did you expect ?" I tease.

She smiles, cheeks reddening.

“Yes bitch!”

I grin. “I can’t wait to meet him. He better be as great as you say. And don't fuck him too much, you might scare him off”

“Oh, you’ll meet him soon enough. Don’t worry,” Zoey says with a wink.

I nod, listening, but part of me is still stuck on my own confusion. Marcelina. The kiss. Everything.

“Well, I’m glad things are working out for you,” I say, even though my thoughts are elsewhere. “I’ll keep you posted on... everything, I guess.”

Zoey laughs.

“I expect nothing less, my friend. Now, don’t go getting too tangled up in that Marcelina drama. You’ve got bigger and better things ahead of you.”

I smile weakly, trying to push away the nagging feeling in my gut. “Yeah, I’ll try.”

Zoey grins. “Good. Now, tell me again about that envelope of cash you found. That’s wild.”

I shake my head, letting her pull me into the distraction of the story. But deep down, I know I’ll be thinking about Marcelina long after the conversation ends.

At some point, I look at the clock on my laptop, realizing that it’s getting late. Zoey notices and gives me a playful grin.

“I miss you, Lori,” she says, her voice suddenly softer.

I smile, my heart feeling a little heavier.

“Yeah, I miss you too. A lot. But hey, you’re living the dream in Paris, and I’m stuck here in the office. I wish I could be there with you, but we’ll have to settle for FaceTime for now.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Yeah. I know Hun."

We talk a bit more about random things—about her wedding plans, her plans with Antonio, and the perfect weather in Paris.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, that lingering thought about Marcel hangs on, stubborn and persistent.

She's really hard to get rid of.