Page 11 of Stay With Me

I load the dishwasher and see it’s ready to run, so I turn it on before joining Young Jae in the living room. “You didn’t have to clean the kitchen.”

He’s lounging on the couch, Kimchi on his lap, as he picks up some spy novel. “I always clean as I cook, I hate eating with a dirty kitchen. Besides, it’s my routine and I’m not going to change it just because I know you’ll pick up my slack.”

His tone is a bit pointed. I feel guilty and know my reaction could be interpreted as comparing him to Jake. A huge offense in Young Jae’s eyes.

“I know that. Thank yo…” Trailing off as I see the bookshelves on either side of his fireplace. Before they had his novels spread out with a few decorations in between, but now my books fill the shelves beautifully laid out with a bunch of my trinkets from past trips. “Oh my. Did you do this?”

Biting my lower lip, I look up at the ceiling to stop the tears I can feel forming. All of my books are visible, series together and arranged alphabetically by author, just how I like them.

“Well, Ari helped. I couldn’t get them to look the way I wanted so I called her.” He grimaces. “She said more in the hour she was here than I typically do all day.”

Biting back a laugh, I grab the most recent book I was reading and settle into the corner seat of his sectional. “She was probably just thrilled you asked for her help for once.”

I can tell by the look on his face I’m right.

“Apparently, Ji Hoon is moving back to town with a buddy. They’re re-opening the old auto shop.” He doesn’t hide the hurt from his voice. “He never mentioned it to me.”

Crossing my legs, I lean toward him. “He probably wants to surprise you and Ari didn’t realize.”

His face clears a bit. “That does sound like something he would do. She didn’t mention who he’s opening the business with, Mom probably didn’t say.”

Reaching over, I pat his thigh. “Exactly.”

Young Jae relaxes, picking up a paperback from the side table and flipping to a marked page.

Squirming as I try to get comfortable so I can also read, I set my book down and run upstairs to change into my yoga shorts and T-shirt before rejoining Young Jae. Sighing as I sit down, I pick up the book I abandoned and start reading.

As I devour the love story on the pages in front of me, I try to remember the last time I was able to relax after dinner. The house is tidy, and nothing demands my attention. There’s no constant background noise of videos and I actually got to enjoy a fulfilling conversation.

Living with Young Jae is going to be a breeze. I know he’s in no rush to push me out, which works because, so far, there’s nothing in my price range available unless I want to move to Thistle Creek, which isn’t convenient for work. So I settle in, happy and content.

Young Jae groans loudly, stretching, causing me to startle. I just got to the scene where they are finally about to admit they’re in love too. “Damn, you scared me.”

“I can’t sit anymore, I’m going to fall asleep. Want to take Kimchi for a walk with me?” The dog jumps up at the word, wriggling and happy.

Closing my book, I shove up from the couch. “Yes, I would love that.”

We get Kimchi into her harness and head out. The evening is sunny and the sound of lawn mowers fills the air.

“Ugh. It’s like a challenge. Now I need to mow the lawn.” Young Jae groans jokingly.

Laughing, I tease, “It’s the eternal cycle.”

My smile doesn’t fade as we walk. My chest feels light and I can feel my shoulders resting lower than they have, the years of tightness easing.

Glancing at Young Jae as he stops to let Kimchi smell a fire hydrant, I’m reminded of our days studying when he first moved here. He always managed to make me smile even on my roughest days. I had the biggest crush on him back then but was too shy to ask him out and figured he wasn’t interested when he never made any attempt at flirting.

Now in his thirties, he’s still wildly attractive and the fact that he is so considerate enhances it so much more.

My heart flutters a little bit as he crouches down to give Kimchi a treat.Shit. No.I locked that down years ago. Every so often I can feel the attraction flare, but the last thing I need is to lust over my best friend.

Looking away, I stretch out my neck.

“Elise?” Young Jae’s hand rests on my shoulder, making me jump. The heat of his hand sends shivers through me.

“Yeah?”

“Ready to keep walking?” He looks at me, concerned. “Are you feeling okay? We can turn around.”

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