“Does that mean you're saying yes? I mean, I know it's not a date, as I just said, but still—”
“Yes, so let's just go,” I interrupted him as I confirmed my answer, biting my lower lip to keep from smiling and giving him the impression that I'm overjoyed. “Let's just call it a friendly date; after all, it's been a long time since we… You and I went out together… like normal friends do.”
“You're right,” he quickly agreed and nodded, but his brow furrowed as he asked, “But aren't you afraid that an article about us will be written sooner or later?”
I didn't get to respond because I was thinking about what he just said, which caused his expression to change, as if he was afraid, he said something wrong or that I'd suddenly change my mind.
“I don't care,” I said, without even thinking about it. “Why? Can't two friends go out to have dinner together?”
He simply shrugged. “I suppose, especially since they have a history together?”
That occurred to me as well, but I simply shrugged and did not retract my response. He's still unsure, his eyes narrowed at me, as if he's not sure whether I'm joking or not.
“You know what, screw that,” he exclaimed enthusiastically as he took a step forward and extended his arms to me before I could even react. “Come on, Taeyeon, you said yes, and you can't back out now.”
I scoffed and linked my arms with his. “Who said anything about me backing out in the first place? Besides, I can't leave the kid outside alone, especially at night.”
He laughed, the kind of laugh I hadn't heard in a long time. “Well, that kid must be the luckiest kid in the world because he gets to spend some alone time with the most genuinely amazing woman in the world, doesn't he?”
I was distracted when he winked at me, and his smile transformed into a playful smirk after he said that, and before I knew it, he was leading me to the resort's parking lot, then straight to an unfamiliar car.
“Jessica's,” he said quietly as he opened the passenger door.
“Wait, are you sure you didn't know anything about this? Why do have Jessica's car key?” I asked as soon as we're both inside the car.
As he focused his attention on starting the car, he became suddenly shy. “Well… I bumped into her before I got to you and Ravi's meeting place, then she gave me her car keys and told me that I can use her car, but before I could ask why or what for, she just walks away, and I got a new text from Ravi, so you know what happened next… Put on your seatbelt, Taenggo,” he explained.
“Cute,” I quietly mumbled to myself.
As he began driving, he cast a glance at me, and I focused my gaze out the window. I was worried about both of us at first because we weren't from LA; what if we got lost or something? But, Baekhyun appears to know where he's going.
Or maybe not? We decided to go to the nearest park and buy some snacks from a convenience store because it was almost midnight. We went to the area where there are a few people; even though it's almost midnight, there are still many people around. We're lucky that no one knew us or approached us. We just sat on the grass and spread out the snacks we bought.
“This is nice,” Baekhyun exclaimed, breaking the awkward silence that had descended around us. “You know, I kind of missed hanging out with you.”
“Me too.” You have no idea how much I missed you, Byun Baekhyun.
His head snapped up at me, as if he wasn't expecting my response, but then he smirked and began eating his potato chips. “Really? You missed me, too? Well, at least I'm not the only one who felt this way.”
“Felt what exactly?” I raised my brow, daring him to go on as I began eating my churros.
He stopped eating the potato chips and exhaled deeply as he sat up straight and stared into the distance, just as I thought he wasn't going to respond. And what I heard caused my heart to race faster than a racehorse.
“Feeling… nostalgic? Or that feeling like something's missing even when you have everything you wanted or needed?” he said softly, looking at me.
His gaze lingered on me for a moment, and what he did next was not what I had expected for this night. I didn't realize I was staring at his face as he spoke, and my jaw dropped slightly.
“You have… choco— here…” he abruptly lifted his right hand and wiped the corner of my lips with his thumb, wiping away whatever it was. “It's chocolate— churros must've been delectable, don't you think?”
I froze in my seat the moment his thumb touched my lip, and it's still there while his forefinger rests on my chin. He's not moving. I can't move. I don't know what to do; I can't stop myself from staring back at him, especially after seeing his eyes travel down to my lips and hearing his audible swallowing of a lump in his throat.
“Baek—” I gasped as he suddenly began leaning in, his gaze fixed on my lip.
And I shouldn't let him, right? I don't know why, but when it comes to Baekhyun, my mind, my senses, and my body all seem to have their own agenda. I can't seem to get away from him, but I know I should. But before I could do so, he was the one who drew back and snatched his hand away.
“Friends… Friends don't stare at their friends like that,” he sighed deeply and tousles his hair in frustration, looking away from me. “I'm so sorry, Taeyeon…”
“Hey, it's fine—”
“No, it's not. It'll never be fine. Friends… Friends d-don't try to kiss their friends like that!”