Page 14 of Stay With Me

“Okay, I can admit this is entertaining.” He chuckles as I dance in the spot, gloating that I knew he’d like it.

Standing, I stretch. “I will clear the dishes, and then I have some treats for us.”

I clean up while he watches, rejoining him with cinnamon buns.

“This works out. You come home to dinner and I get dessert.” He takes a bite, closing his eyes as he chews. Heat runs through me as his Adam’s apple bobs and he swallows with an appreciative moan.

Damn, what is happening? I haven’t reacted like this to Young Jae since my mid-twenties.

Stretching my neck, I nibble at my own bun. Granted, we haven’t spent this much time together in a long time. And when I was with Jake, I ensured that our boundaries were healthy and our relationship was nothing that could cause question. I just never expected these feelings of attraction to pop up again.

But I’ve managed it before, I know I can again. I just need to ensure I don’t let him know there are feelings deeper than friendship. The last thing I want to do is jeopardize our relationship.

Chapter Six

Young Jae

Elisehopsoutofthe car, grabbing the pie she made earlier before leading the way to Adeline’s door.

Our outing today felt different—there was no limit on the time we spent together, and it felt weird going home with her instead of parting ways. I’m not sure what’s changing, but it’s leaving me unsettled.

The door opens, and Adeline greets us. “Come on in! Dinner is just about ready.”

Her two huge dogs, Kane and Stella, sit at attention behind her. I scratch their heads as we pass, following her through the house.

The home is beautiful, a testament to the hard work she and Owen did last year. My lips twitch when I think about how much he used to complain about her and here they are in love and living together.

“I hope you don’t mind we kept it simple. Steak, twice baked potatoes, and Greek salad.” Adeline grabs wine glasses as Owen comes up from the basement with a bottle of wine. “We thought we would eat outside. It’s such a beautiful evening.”

“Sounds delicious. I brought peach pie for dessert.” We follow them outside, Adeline’s deck is a work of art. It’s two-tiered and set up for entertaining.

A fire is lit in the firepit and candles glow from lanterns all around the deck. We head to the table under the pergola, where the food is laid out under covers, and even more candles are lit.

It all feels very date-like, especially with the unsubtle glances exchanged between Adeline and Owen as they sit on the same side of the table. Their transparent attempt at matchmaking is comical, but little do they know that Elise doesn’t feel that way about me.

I ignore the rush I get when I pull the seat out for Elise, the way she accidentally brushes against me as she goes to sit. Maybe I’ve been single for too long, I’ve noticed these feelings coming up a lot in the past year, and I chalked it up to just appreciation for her, but the heat is growing harder to ignore.

Sitting beside her, I gratefully accept a glass of wine and take a sip, my thoughts chaotic, as Adeline and Elise talk about some upcoming girls’ trip.

Elise has always been the woman where the timing isn’t right and by now we’ve established too much of a friendship to risk, but part of me seems to be forgetting that. It has been a while since I’ve had any sort of meaningful connection. My heart is just getting confused with having her around so much more and in more intimate spaces.

That doesn’t explain the masquerade ball.The little voice in my head taunts. That night was something else. Holding her in my arms as we danced. It felt right, like home.

Taking a sip of wine, I shove my thoughts into the Elise box and focus on the meal and my friends.

“How are you feeling now that it’s been a week since you moved out of Jake’s and in with Young Jae?” Adeline asks as she cuts her steak.

Elise smiles, her fingers playing with the stem of her wine glass. “I’m happy. I didn’t realize just how much anxiety I had going home and how much of my limited free time I spent cleaning up after Jake.”

She looks at me, her expression warm. “You’re a very considerate roommate.”

Grinning, I look at our friends. “I have to admit, I am knocking it out of the park. Considering I’ve never lived with anyone except my family before.”

They laugh and Elise tells them about how I surprised her by getting her books set up and how much she enjoys having Kimchi to snuggle.

“I feel bad though, because I know I wake you up almost every morning, no matter how quiet I try to be.” She looks at me, the guilt clear on her face.

Shaking my head, I lie, “Nah, you’re good.”

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