Jennie

"To Jennie Kim, badass," Chu said, holding a Bloody Mary aloft.

"Unemployed badass," I corrected.

"To Jennie Kim, unemployed badass," the rest of the table chorused.

My circle—Chu, Chaeyoung, Nayeon, Alison, and Lisa—raised their glasses in the middle of Mordecai's Bistro. We'd also invited Byul to join us as long as everything stayed off the record.

And since she was sitting on the biggest story of her career, she seemed happy to oblige.

"Wait a minute," Nayeon said. "Since Jennie is no longer of the vagillionaire status, can we still be friends with her?"

"Girl, please," Chaeyoung giggled. "Give this woman five minutes, and she'll have twelve patents, four drug trials, and another billion-dollar company."

"I'll drink to that," Nayeon crowed.

"Honey, you sure know how to rock a scandal," Lady Raquel in a pink sequined romper said, leaning in to air-kiss my cheeks. "Proud of you."

"Thanks, Lady Raquel. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself, too."

"All right, kids, let's take some orders. Who wants something to soak up the alcohol?"

My phone buzzed on the table.

Bethenny: Do you and Lisa have dinner plans? Ed and I would love if you came over. We can take the boat out.

I showed Lisa the message, and she grinned. "No offense, but I like your father's ex-wife significantly more than his current one."

I laughed and, for the first time in my life, didn't feel like a traitor when I agreed.

Me: That sounds perfect. We'll bring the wine.

On reflex, I checked my email and found my inbox was disabled. I blew out a breath. I wouldn't start every single day of my life with the goal of processing the first one hundred emails. I wouldn't be sitting in board meetings or reviewing sales numbers, okaying marketing campaigns.

Another text message came in.

Esther: Been thinking. If we can ID these proteins that signify damage, why couldn't we create a synthetic one designed to fix the muscle damage?

I bit my lip to stop the grin. A new challenge. A new direction. A new family.

"So let me tell you guys about getting mugged," Chu said.

"What did you just say?" Chaeyoung asked, bringing my attention back to the table.

"Did you say mugged or muffed?" Nayeon interjected.

"Mugged. Attempted mugging actually. A guy tried to grab my purse in the parking garage at work," Chu said. "I speared his foot with my stiletto."

"Oh my God," I said. "You need better security."

"I know a security guy," Lisa added.

"You're missing the point," Chu said, exasperated. "I was fine."

"We'll find you a hot security guy," Nayeon promised.

"I don't want a security guy, hot or not," Chu protested.

"Lisa, is your friend hot?" Nayeon asked, ignoring her.

She shrugged. "I hadn't thought much about it, but yes. If I were into men, I'd shag him."

Nayeon slapped the table. "Problem solved. Hot security guy."

Chu rolled her eyes. "Not happening, weirdos. I'll handle this on my own."

"Oh, because that always works out so well," I said.

"I am sensing sarcasm," Chu mused.

"There you are!"

Joy, her suit rumpled and hair a mess of flyaways, pulled up a chair.

"Ooh! Update time," Chaeyoung said, wiggling her fingers enthusiastically.

"Let me start at the top," Joy said, flinging open a binder on the table.

"Pour the woman a drink," Lisa suggested.

"I wouldn't say no," Joy said. "First things first. Your patent isn't complete, but it's actionable enough. We can prove that the formula La Sophia is shopping belongs to Flawless and you have all of the data from the beginning. There's no way they can replicate that in time for the subpoena I've arranged. They have forty-eight hours to produce all of their 'research.' Once they fail to do so, then we can move forward with legal action, and the SEC can get up their asses."

She flipped the page with gusto.

"Next item. Did you know that the patent for your wrinkle reducer is in your name, not Flawless's?" Joy asked.

I bit my lip, and Lisa laughed softly beside me.

"It might have occurred to me," I admitted.

"In order for Flawless to continue to sell those products, they'll have to buy the patent from you."

"What a shame," Lisa said.

"I'd be open to an even trade," I said. "I give them the wrinkle reducer if they give me the scar treatment." Lisa squeezed my leg in approval under the table.

"Consider it done," Joy said. "The SEC is not inclined to allow an IPO at this time. Not with an investigation into Irene pending. The earliest it could be approved is first quarter of next year."

"Serves those ungrateful shits right," Nayeon said derisively.

"To ungrateful shits!" Chaeyoung said, raising her glass. Chaeyoung was a lovely lightweight.

"Speaking of investigations, Irene will face charges," Joy continued. "A butt-ton of them. In my professional opinion, if she went this far, there are other things we didn't catch her on. But the SEC might."

"Butt-ton!" Nayeon cheered.

"How about my dear brother?" I asked.

"Well, he tried to convince your father to file a lawsuit against Ms. Manoban here for, and I quote, 'rearranging his face' and Alison for making him 'piss his pants.' But your father wasn't inclined. In fact, he called the police himself and handed Jiwon Kim the Third over to uniformed officers and then called a divorce lawyer."

I choked on my Bloody Mary. It looked as though fresh starts were happening everywhere.

"You do good work, Joy," I said, blotting my mouth with a napkin.

"I'm very, very expensive. I'm glad you can still afford me."

"This calls for champagne," I said. I kissed Lisa on the cheek and slid out of the booth. At the bar, I ordered a few bottles and a cake. I wanted cake today.

"Celebrating something?"

I turned to the woman next to me and nearly slipped off my stool. It was one of the romance novelists.

"Y-yes," I sputtered.

I'd just had a showdown with a board of directors, a physical altercation with my nemesis, and now I was tongue-tied over speaking to a woman in yoga pants and a Tequila Tacos and Naps shirt.

"As a matter of fact, I am."

"Congratulations, whatever it is. I love a happy ending," she said, fingers flying over the keyboard of her laptop.

"Here comes mine, now," I said as Lisa approached.

"Hmm, chiseled jaw. Carelessly worn suit. Ooh. Eyes like the sweetest chocolate in the world."

"I'm standing right here," Lisa said.

"And we're sitting right here appreciating you," the novelist said. She knocked back the rest of her drink and signaled for another one. "I'm suddenly feeling inspired."

"Good luck," I told her.

"You, too," she said without looking up from her screen. "You guys got any tacos on the menu?" she asked the bartender.

I took the first open bottle of champagne and slid off the stool.

Lisa snaked her arms around me.

"What do you say you and I take that bottle and sneak off to the bathroom?"

"Bathrooms are kind of gross. Maybe try the rooftop terrace since it's closed until dinner?" the writer suggested.

"Come on, darling," Lisa said, pulling me toward the stairs. "Let's go find our happy ending."

Behind us, my friends, my circle, was still toasting.

"To Lisa, I'm so glad I didn't have to junk punch you."

"To Lisa!"