Page 81

“Yeah,” I say slowly, wondering if I’m making a mistake here. “But we need to be careful. The whole point of this show was to fix our images.”

“Well,” he says, leaning in and pressing his lips lightly to my temple. I shiver involuntarily. “I suppose we could find a good meeting place.” He lets his cheek rest against mine, his lips brushing my ear. “Somewhere we can definitely be alone.” He starts to nibble at the lobe of my ear, and it sends electric shocks through my entire body.

I’ve kind of forgotten what I wanted to talk about. I turn my head toward his, ready to give in.

But he stops just before our lips touch. “What about your place?”

“Huh?” I murmur, my brain a fog.

“It’s private, close to mine. And we can do…” He gives me the lightest kiss on the lips. Nowhere close to being satisfying. “Whatever we want.”

Another shiver races down my spine. “Yes, my place. Perfect. Let’s go.”

He laughs as he leans away, and I feel a slight pang of disappointment. My arms itch to pull him back.

“I’ll come by tonight,” he says, then lifts our joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles before climbing out of the car.

As he saunters away, I lean against the headrest, letting out a shuddering breath.

I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the full powerful focus of Moon Minseok.

The day after our honeymoon episode airs my mother calls.

“Hello?” I answer cautiously, unsure how this will go.

“Did you see that Liza Kang posted about your honeymoon on her stories?”

“What?” I’m confused by the abrupt topic without even a hello.

“Liza Kang, don’t you know her? Oh, Hyeri, you should be better at keeping up with Korean American celebrities. She’s so hot after the first season ofMusical Dreamsaired on Disney.”

“No, I know who Liza Kang is.” She’s slated to be the next big thing. Some people even think she’ll take over the mantle from Olivia Rodrigo. And since she’s Korean, everyone in the community is very excited.

“Well, she’s obsessed with your show! Specifically, you and Moonster. This is such good news.”

“That’s great, Mom,” I say weakly. It’s like whiplash with my mom sometimes. Her disinterest is like a never-ending Westeros winter, but the moment she’s happy with me she is like a bulldozer planning out the next ten years of my career.

“So, I read some of the viewer comments and it seems people love it when you and Minseok show skinship, so I think you should focus on that.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling and hold back my heavy sigh. It wouldn’t be worth reminding her that she called me a bimbo after we barely touched at the wedding shoot. And now she’s telling me to snuggle up to him more on camera?

At least she’s showing a positive interest in you, Hyeri. Don’t take this moment for granted.

“Okay, Eomma,” I say, forcing brightness into my voice. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

“Do you think we can get the show to have Hyejun-ie on it again? It would be nice to have some crossover promotion between you two.”

“I think he’s in Japan right now with AX1S,” I remind her.

“Oh yes, I forgot. World tour!”

Asian Tour. But I don’t correct her.

“All right, well, I can’t believe both of my kids are doing so well! I just came from drinks with the girls. They’re all so jealous of my talented children.”

That must be the source of her energy right now. “I’m glad, Eomma. Maybe we can have a call this weekend if Appa’s also home?”

“I have to go, I’m at the spa. Kisses!”