An unsettling thought creeps into the back of my mind. What about the fan who took a photo with me yesterday? What if Alex was in the background, and the tabloids pick up on it just like they picked up on the photo of Jiyoon and her boyfriend? Not that Alex is my boyfriend. But the tabloids don’t know that. I was one-on-one with him, too. It’d be a lot harder to explain that away than a group photo. No. I definitely would have noticed if he was in the frame. That’s something I would pick up on. But I can’t help but second-guess myself. I was so caught up in my conversation with Alex that I can’t be completely sure.

I shake the thought out of my mind and cross the room, pulling Jiyoon into a hug. She’s stiff at first, but then her body slowly sags into mine, her chin resting on my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry,” I say. “It’s not fair. But at least DB is doing their best to protect you.”

Unlike with Kang Jina. I don’t need to say it. Everyone knows.

Jiyoon nods against my shoulder. “Yeah. You’re right. Thank you, Rachel.” She dabs at the corners of her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. “Oh and by the way, have you brushed your teeth yet this morning? Because your breath stinks.” I throw a hand over my mouth and laugh, grateful that the old Jiyoon seems to be coming back.

Everyone starts to head back to their own rooms to pack up before we leave for the airport, but then Mina stops short in the doorway and turns to me.

“By the way, where were you last night, Rachel?”

I freeze for a second, pulling away from Jiyoon. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“Jiyoon, Ari, and Sumin were out together with those guys. And the rest of us were at the hotel spa. But no one knows where you were.” Mina stares hard at me, her eyes boring holes into my head.

I scowl at the accusation in her tone. “I was shopping with Leah. And then I met a friend for coffee.”

It’s basically the whole truth. No one needs to know that the friend also happens to be a gorgeous guy who I’ve been texting since last night.

Mina’s eyes narrow, but everyone else seems uninterested.

“You sure you’re not hiding anything, Rachel?” Mina says. “Maybe Jiyoon wasn’t the only one out with a guy last night.”

What the hell? Does she know something? Or does she just know exactly what to say to provoke me?

“God, Mina, why are you so suspicious all the time?” I say, trying to ignore my heart slamming against my chest.