Page 40 of Stay With Me

The drive home has me in my head about ways that I can try and help her or even other small businesses. I know how hard it is to build and maintain a business on your own. And just how hard it is to ask for help when needed.

Before heading home, I swing by the inn to give Ari her version of the paperwork I had drafted. She said she’s also interested, but wants to look through it on her own and we can discuss once her parents are officially retired, so I need to follow up.

“Elise, my hero!” She bounces around the counter, jumping to give me a hug. “If Young Jae doesn’t marry you, I just might.”

Laughing, I hug her back. “Even if he doesn’t, I can’t foresee a future without Young Jae. Maybe hold out for your right person.”

She cringes. “Most of the men in town I know too well. And the ones I don’t aren’t an option.” Her face clouds a bit.

“Liam?”

She balks at me. “Who said Liam? Besides, he’s like ten years older than me and Ji Hoon’s best friend. I’m pretty sure Ji Hoon would end up in jail and Liam six feet under.”

Smirking at her, I say coyly, “Yeah, maybe. But I’m more observant than your brothers. We will see what happens.”

Mrs. Choi comes in, so I change the subject.

“Elise, thank you for your insight into slowing down. We are going to look at traveling home to Korea soon and reconnect with family.” She comes over, wrapping her arm around my waist.

She’s a slight woman, shorter than me even though I’m only five-foot-five.

“I’m happy to help.”

“Plus, Ari has been walking around like she won the lottery. I was scared to leave her on her own, but I can see she’s ready.” Mrs. Choi beams at her daughter, who shifts in place.

I leave them to head home, feeling good about my day. Life feels so positive and I have so much excitement for what’s to come with the work changes, life changes, and progressing with Young Jae in our relationship.

Chapter Eighteen

Elise

Droppingontothecouch,I look around our freshly cleaned house. It never takes long to do the weekend reset because we work together over the week to maintain it.

I watch as Young Jae wraps the vacuum cord before heading down the hall. I don’t know how I survived a five-year relationship when I was walked all over. I never took myself to be a pushover.

Looking back, I realize that Jake and I started dating a couple of years after my dad and Melanie got married, and he started to pull away. I was grieving the relationship I had lost with my dad and he swooped in on our first date saying all the right things.

He promised me the family I felt I had lost, and now I realize my real family has been here all along.

Young Jae comes in, brushing his hands on his sweats.

“Nothing feels better than having the woman I love helping me create a home in this house.” He drops down next to me, lying down with his head on my lap. “You make everything better. I never realized something was missing in this house until you moved in.”

Running my hands through his hair, I tease, “Aww, who knew you were such a romantic.”

He laughs, because between the two of us, he’s the more romantic one and he knows it.

“I was just thinking how even cleaning the house is enjoyable because we do it together.” Linking our hands together, I continue to play with his hair.

His eyes close and he hums low in his throat. “That feels nice.”

Leaning my head back, I focus on the feel of his hair between my fingers, the weight of his head on my lap. Kimchi lies on my other side, and life feels so good. So complete.

My pocket buzzes, the vibrations not ending. Releasing his hand, I dig my phone out and frown when I see it’s my uncle calling. I never hear from him.

“Hello?” My confusion is clear in my voice.

“Elise.” His voice isn’t friendly, which is odd, seeing as he’s never made much effort to get to know me, so there’s no reason to be hostile. “I was expecting to hear you’re unwell or something. That’s the only reason I could think of for you not showing up, but you sound fine to me.”

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