“Last-minute business trip just came up,” he says, grinning ear to ear.

I know just the place I’d want to take him to—I have a million places I want to take him, people I want him to meet. Leah spilled the beans about Alex to my parents as soon as she and I got back from Singapore. Umma’s been hounding me ever since to send her a recent photo, his school transcripts, a list of his favorite foods… If she knew Alex was coming into town, I’m pretty sure she’d be standing at the arrivals gate at Incheon with a sign bearing his name. And honestly, I’d love for him to get to know my family, to learn more about my life before K-pop. I want to take him to my old school, where I first met the twins. To the Dongdaemun Night Market, strolling Mukja Golmok looking for the best dumplings. Live music at Owl’s Rooftop.

But how much of that can we actually do? There are eyes everywhere here. If being with Alex on his home turf felt like a big step, being with him here in Korea would be huge.

“If you’re worried about the paparazzi getting pictures,” Alex says, reading my expression, “I have a friend who lives in Seoul. She can come out with us—that way if the paparazzi get photos, it’ll be photos of two girls and a guy. It’s less suspicious.”

I shake my head. “No, I want to see you one-on-one.”

“We’ll figure it out,” he says encouragingly.

“Any word from Lane Crawford?” I ask. Celeste had said we’d reconnect in a few weeks, but it’s been radio silence ever since.

Alex’s face grows serious again. But this time, I can tell it’s for real. “Not yet,” he says gently. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a pass. Maybe they just haven’t had a chance to review the designs again yet.”

My heart sinks. Or maybe they have reviewed them and they decided I’m too amateur to even bother responding to. Given the awkwardness of the meeting, I wouldn’t be surprised, but it’s still a blow. I hate that I let myself get my hopes up. An international presence for my first-ever fashion line? What was I thinking?

Just then, the doorknob wiggles. “Rachel!” Jiyoon calls out. “Why is this locked?”

“Oops, that was by accident!” I yell. To Alex, I whisper, “I gotta go,” and then I hang up the phone.