Page 23 of Stay With Me

“I know, but I’m not giving up.” He sets the flowers down, his eyes earnest. “Just a meal. Just one, and if you still feel like there’s nothing to salvage, then I will stop.”

Groaning, I pick up the daisies and hand them back to him. “Fine. One meal. But stop bringing me daisies. I don’t like them and they’re toxic to dogs, so I can’t even bring them home.”

His face flickers with surprise, lips turning down a little. It was always a source of contention when we were together. I wanted a dog, he said they were too much work, despite me being the one who cleaned the house.

Jake shakes off whatever is going through his head and grins, elated, taking the flowers back. “I will pick you up tonight at six.”

***

“You’re going to dinner with Jake? How the hell did that happen?” Young Jae glowers as he sits on the edge of the tub in my bathroom while I get ready for dinner. Jake should be here in fifteen minutes, and I finally told Young Jae that I had agreed to go to dinner with him.

Sighing, I meet his gaze through the mirror. “He isn’t letting up and he said if we go out for dinner and I still don’t want to give him another chance, he will quit coming around. So, I agreed. It’s one meal that will ultimately close out that chapter for good.”

Picking up my lipstick, I return to getting ready.

“Why are you putting on lipstick to turn him down?” Young Jae grumbles.

Biting back a smile, I apply the neutral color. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous.

Finishing up, I head back into my bedroom with him trailing behind. Kimchi is chewing on a toy on my bed. He plops down beside her and starts playing tug-of-war with her as I go into my closet. I change quickly before rejoining them.

He looks up and shakes his head. “Nope. You look way too hot for a closure date. He’s not going to stop if you show up looking like that.”

Biting back a grin, I roll my eyes. “You’re exaggerating. I’ve worn this a ton. It’s not like it’s special.”

Standing in front of my mirror, I look at the floor length maxi-dress. It’s floral with a subtle V-neck. Not too revealing, but perfect for summer.

Before he can come back with anything, the doorbell rings. Kimchi takes off, barking as she runs to the door. I grab my purse, Young Jae following closely behind.

I open the door to Jake standing there with a bouquet of roses. Better than daisies but still nowhere near my top five favorite flowers. At least I can have these in the house.

Kimchi rushes out to greet him, he stares down but doesn’t greet her. I know he’s not an animal person, but it rubs me the wrong way that he doesn’t even say hi. It’s another confirmation that he’s not right for me and I was settling when I was trying to make it work.

“Hey. You look beautiful.” Jake looks relieved as Kimchi runs back in the house to sit next to a watchful Young Jae.

“Thanks.” I start to slip into my shoes, Jake opening the door wider.

He opens his mouth to say something, faltering as Young Jae comes to stand next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “She does, not that you deserve it. If you’re trying to win her back, remembering that dahlias are her favorite flower would be a good start. Who am I kidding? You never cared about her enough to actually learn her favorites.”

Jake’s mouth opens and closes, his face flushed. His embarrassment is clear and he has the wherewithal to look a little ashamed.

“It’s too late though. You’re not going to win her back because she knows how good life can be now. So don’t keep her out too late. Remember, we have plans tonight.”

Taking in the scene before me, I realize I need to put a stop to all this.

“Jake, saying yes to dinner was a bad idea. I’m sorry, but you should just go,” I say and close the front door.

Suppressing a giggle, I gasp when Young Jae kisses me. His lips moving over mine, his tongue delving deeper.

My heart pounds as I drop my purse, my arms wrapping around his neck on their own volition as I kiss him back. My entire body tingles, electricity thrumming through me as I press into him. We kiss until the noise of a revving motor sounds.

Pulling away, I lick my lips and glance over to Young Jae. My heart pounds as I finally meet his gaze.

Young Jae smiles at me. “Well, that took care of that! You don’t have to suffer through a dinner with him and he definitely won’t be around again.”

Clearing my throat, my heart sinks into my chest. “Um, yeah. Thanks for that.”

I follow him into the house, my body still wired from the kiss.

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