Page 93

“She’s right.”

My heart drops at how quickly he gives up.

“But we knew from the beginning it was risky,” he says, eyes sharp and challenging. “Nothing has changed for me. Has it changed for you?”

I’m not sure how to answer. It feels like I care about him more than I thought possible, but I’m not a naive thirteen-year-old anymore. I know the price of this now. “I don’t know. There are things I have to take into consideration.”

“Like what?” Minseok frowns. “Did something else happen?”

This is the moment. I need to tell him about LA and the TV show. If he wants to walk away after hearing, there’s nothing I can do about it. I should just rip the Band-Aid off.

“It’s just that…” I can’t force out the rest of the words.

Minseok nods and takes my hand in his. “I know.”

Wait,doeshe know about the offer? Did someone at the company tell him?

“Hongjoo probably told you that you have to think about the fans. That we’re still building trust with them again. And she’s not wrong, but she’s not completely right. We don’t owe everything we are to the fans. We’re allowed to keep some of it for ourselves.” He lifts my knuckles to his lips. “And we don’t have to figure everything out now.”

“You really think so?” I ask.

He nods. “Why don’t we sit down with Hongjoo and Hanbin after the Awards show and figure out a plan that works for us? That is, if you still want this.”

Sparks race up and down my limbs. Minseok always seems to say the perfect thing to make me ignore my doubts.

“I want this,” I say. I don’t have to give this up yet, I still have time.

Minseok’s smile blooms, slow but wide, and it chases away the worst of my anxieties.

“Oh thank god.” He pulls my arm so suddenly that I’m not ready for it and I tumble into his lap. “For a second there, I was worried you didn’t feel the same way.”

“Don’t forget I’m the one who liked you first.”

“Eh, debatable,” Minseok says with a grin. “This thing between us isn’t for some show or for other people.”

“I know.”

He cups my cheeks, leaning in to rest his forehead against mine. “This isn’t pretend anymore, Hyeri.”

I nod in agreement a moment before he kisses me. Hard and possessive. But it’s fine, because I feel just as needy at the moment. I’ll tell him about LA and the show after the Hallyu Wave Awards. Not just yet. If we only have a few weeks left, then let it be just for us.

Minseok knows there are things to worry about. But he’s just usually not the type to do it.

He knows Hyeri is, though. He can tell she’s worrying a lot these days by the way she spaces out in the middle of conversations, getting lost in her own anxious thoughts.

Every time he prods her back into the moment, she smiles and insists she’s fine. But Minseok knows there’s something bothering her. And it’s probably the fear that they won’t be able to keep their relationship from the press.

There are many other idols and celebrities who do it. Some for years. But the media seems to have an obsession with catching Hyeri in another scandal.

Maybe the solution is to figure out how to make the press forget about her. But aside from Hyeri retiring from the industry, he can’t figure out a way to do it.

He slips out of the apartment. It’s early enough that none of the guys are awake. But he knows Hyeri will be. She’s an early riser. So, he’s also taken up the habit so he can sneak out and spend the mornings with her.

The door opens, but instead of Hyeri it’s Hongjoo that emerges.

Minseok stops in his tracks. “Noona, good morning.”

Hongjoo glances down at Minseok’s slippered feet. He didn’t even bother to put on outside shoes for the quick trip across the hall. He knows he’s caught, but he hopes perhaps Hongjoo takes pity and pretends they’re not blatantly disregarding her.