Page 77

“Will you sit?”

I do, but my leg won’t stop shaking. I press my hand against it to hold it still, but it continues to vibrate.

“I don’t want things to be awkward between us,” Minseok says.

“Awkward? What’s awkward?” I want to die inside as it’s very clear I am the awkward.

He gives me a pointed look, and I finally give up the attempt to ignore the topic.

“What do you think about erasing the last three days?” I suggest hopefully.

Minseok looks even more unhappy at that. “You think we can just ignore it?”

“Why not?” I’m confused. Minseok is the king of avoiding bad feelings. Didn’t he just admit that he’s evading a needed conversation with Jongdae?

“I think the show is just confusing us,” I hedge. “It’s no one’s fault, right? When you have to pretend to like each other, it blurs the lines of reality.”

“Is that what you really think is going on here?” A crease digs in between his brows, a small and perfect line.

This is annoying. What does he want from me? I have the urge to shake him. But an equal urge to lean forward and just kiss him so he can’t say anything else that will confuse me.

“Hyeri?”

Great, I zoned out again instead of answering. “I’m just worried,” I admit. “That I can’t tell the difference between what’s for the show and what’s real.” I wince on the last word. I might as well be confessing my resurrected crush. And desperation makes me quickly add, “I don’t know, I’m probably just being stupid.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Minseok murmurs.

“What?” I scowl, not expecting him to agree.

“I mean, no, you’re not stupid. Yes, you’re right. Shows can feel real sometimes.”

“Right!” I cling to his agreement. These feelings are just because of the show.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone so happy to hear that thingsaren’treal.” Minseok laughs. The good-natured kind that makes me grin too.

I shrug. “I guess I’m just special.”

“Yes, sure,” he says in a sarcastic voice.

“Ya!” I punch his shoulder and he falls back, grabbing his arm like I stabbed him.

“Stop it,” I command. “You’re such a drama queen.”

He doesn’t stop wincing. “I’m not joking, I pulled my arm working out earlier.”

“Wait, really?” Did I actually hurt him? I scoot closer to see, and that’s when his expression changes from pained to mischievous.

“No, not really.”

He leans forward, poking at my ribs.

“Stop!” I squeal, but I can’t escape him. I get an arm free and grab his knee, where I know he’s extra sensitive.

“Ya!” he yelps, and falls over, rolling off the couch.

My triumph is short-lived as he pulls me down with him. But he immediately meets the consequences of his actions as I land heavily on his chest and he lets out a grunt of pain.

“Low blow going for the knee,” Minseok complains with a wheeze.