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Now it’s my turn to be shocked. “You followed me to the airport?”

“Followed? No, I mean, kind of. Yes, I guess I did.” He looks flustered all of a sudden. “You left your phone; I thought you’d want it with you.” He pulls it out of his pocket, shoving it into my chest.

I take it, frowning as I rub where he jabbed me. “Thanks, I guess. You didn’t need to go all the way to the airport for this. I’m sure it was crowded.”

“Yeah, I realized after I was mobbed that it wasn’t the best idea I’ve ever had. I’m sure Hanbin is going to be pissed.”

I feel a strange clenching in my stomach. He went to the airport, alone, for me. He wanted to see me that badly.

No, I can’t be swayed. There’s more we need to talk about. We can’t just continue doing what we were doing. It’s not fair to either of us.

“Is this really the only reason you went?” I hold up the returned phone, trying to keep my voice calm, measured.

He sighs and shakes his head.

“No, it’s not the only reason. I also had something to tell you.”

My heart rate picks up, but I ignore it. The last few weeks with Minseok have taught me a lot of control when it comes to being around him. Now, even though my hands are itching to grab ahold of him, I ball them into fists around the phone instead.

“What is it?” I ask carefully.

“I was stupid for pretending that it didn’t kill me that you were leaving. And you were right, I lectured you about letting other people control your choices when that’s exactly what I was doing. I was just trying to avoid confrontation, which is obviously an issue I have. Oh, I talked to Jongdae, by the way. Which I might not have done if I hadn’t felt totally shitty about how I mishandled everything with you.”

He’s rambling. Minseok isn’t really a rambler, but I find this new side of him endearing.

“So, you and JD are better?” I ask when he finally stops for a breath.

“Mostly. We’ll figure it out. You’re right; family figures it out.”

I nod. “Good.”

“I’d like to figure things out with you too. I don’t want to lose my chance at this.” He points a finger between us. “So, I guess the first step is to be honest. I want it to be a real thing, not just fun or pretend or undefined. I want to be with you, Hyeri, officially.”

I suck in a deep shuddering breath. My heart is now going haywire. It’s literally the kind of stuff I’ve dreamed of hearing from Minseok since I was thirteen years old. But I have to make sure I have my say first. “I want to be with you too, but we have to be better about talking about the hard stuff.”

Minseok nods. “I know.”

“And I don’t want to tell anyone.”

His face falls. “What?”

“I mean, the public. Or the media. I don’t think they should have a right to every part of my life.”

He nods with a grin. “I agree. But I have to tell the guys and Hanbin.”

“And I probably have to tell Hongjoo-eonni.”

“Doesn’t she already know?”

“Yeah, but I should tell her it’s official.” I am dreading that conversation. I’m sure Hongjoo is dealing with enough having to explain why I’m not on a plane to LA right now.

Minseok reaches out now to take my hand. “Is it, then? Official, I mean.”

“Yeah, sure,” I say. “Today can be our day one.”

He cringes. “Oh wow, who knew you could be so corny.”

“Ya!” I punch his good shoulder, but he catches my wrist and uses it to pull me into him.