Chapter Thirty-Four February 17, 2230, Neo Southern California Metroplex, Apartment of Jia Lin Erik picked up his beer bottle and clinked it against Jia’s glass. Several bottles already stood empty, victim to his party spirit. They’d not left him untouched. His face was warm. “Happy birthday, Jia.” She smiled at him and took a sip of her wine, her first glass of the night. She might not be a lightweight anymore, but that didn’t mean she hit the alcohol as hard as he could. They both sat on her couch, quiet music playing in the background. After sharing lunch with her family and with her girls’ night the next day, Jia had elected to have a relaxed birthday at home with Erik. Mercifully, she decided to spare him a concentrated dose of the elder Lin women. He’d told Emma not to bother