Carly reaches across the table and gives my hand a squeeze. “I think you’re exactly where you need to be right now, Rachel,” she says. “Thinking about your future after K-pop doesn’t have to be a contradiction to your commitment to the group. You can be working on your side ideas while still rocking your career with Girls Forever. You got this. Now…” She lets go of my hand and picks up the dessert menu instead. “Is it chocolate mousse time yet?”

I love her.

“Yes,” I say, beaming. “Way past time.”

After dinner, I float back to the Four Seasons, totally on cloud nine. I feel more inspired than ever. That dinner with Carly Mattsson was exactly what I needed and more. And I owe it all to Alex.

As soon as I get to my room, I pull out my phone to text him.

Me: Thank you thank you thank you.

His response comes seconds later.

Alex: I take it you had a good time?

Me: The BEST. I’m back at the Four Seasons. Where are you?

Alex: Walking back from late dinner with some business contacts. Actually, I’m just a couple blocks from your hotel now…

I immediately run out of my room and down the hotel stairs. As soon as I burst out the front doors, I see Alex standing under a lamppost. I notice it has started to drizzle. Little flecks of rain land on his face, making his hair look like it’s sparkling in the streetlights.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hi,” I say.

He rubs rain off his face. “Wait, don’t come out, you’ll get all wet.”

“No, no, it’s perfect. Much harder for paparazzi to get photos at night, and in the rain.” I head toward him, as if drawn by an invisible force.

He laughs. “So you had a good time?”

“Transformative. The chocolate mousse changed my life.” I swat at him. “Oh yeah and the company was enjoyable too…”

He smiles. “I’m glad.”

A taxi pulls up nearby and a couple gets out, giggling, clearly a little drunk, as they stumble into the hotel. We step farther into the shadows, out of the way of the hotel doors.

“Seriously, I’m blown away. I don’t know how to thank you, honestly.”

“No need for thanks. But since you haven’t started melting in this rain, how about a walk?”

I don’t answer right away. I’m too caught in the moment, in the way the streetlamps are shining on the side of his face, lighting up his eyes, capturing his earnest expression.

“Or… option B, you’re exhausted from traipsing around with me alllll day, and you want to just say good night now so you can flop into bed…,” he offers.

I laugh and shake my head. “Option C. None of the above.”