Throughout the dinner, Geonwu keeps reaching for Eunji’s hand under the table, lacing his fingers with hers as he chats. It’s so natural the way he does it, like he’s been doing it all his life, and I can tell how happy it makes Eunji. She looks so alive, and the two of them seem really in love. Though, I guess looking like he’s really in love is literally how Geonwu makes his living. I shake the thought out of my head. Not now, Rachel. Don’t ruin the mood.

“Tell them about your latest sponsorship opportunity, babe,” Geonwu says excitedly.

Eunji smiles shyly. “I just found out I’ll be doing a photo shoot for SK Amore’s new line of scents. It’s going to be so much fun.”

“That’s great news!” I say. “You’ll be amazing at that.”

When it’s time to leave, we go the same way we came: one by one. Getting out of here without drawing attention is Part B of tonight’s mission, and I’m praying that it will go just as smoothly as Part A. First Geonwu leaves. Then fourteen minutes later, Eunji. Alex and I sit side by side, looking at the time on our phones and counting down fifteen more minutes.

“So, you sure we can’t take that nighttime stroll by the Han?” Alex asks with his eyebrow quirked, but I know he’s just kidding. We already agreed that we have to keep things majorly low-key and covert for this visit. Still, he is going to give me a lift back to the villa, so we still have at least twenty minutes or so left to be together.

“Tempting,” I sigh. “But we’ve probably risked too much as it is tonight. Any more, and I’ll just turn completely paranoid. And trust me, Paranoid Rachel is not very good company.”

“You’re always lovely company, paranoid or not.” He glances at his phone. “Time for my exit. See you soon.”

He gives me a grin and a kiss on the cheek before turning to the door—but before he can slip out, I grab his arm, spin him back around, and press my lips to his.

“So much for the tightly coordinated schedule,” he says when we break apart, laughing softly.

“I needed a proper goodbye,” I say.

“We’re not saying goodbye here,” he says. “We still have the car ride.”

And then he kisses me again, slowly, sweetly, reminding me of all the small moments we miss with the distance between us.

“We’re really messing with the schedule,” I say.

“I’ll see you in the car,” he says, letting go of me.

Then he’s out the door.