“Oh?” There’s a tentative, wary note to the question. “The Choi boy?”

“Yeah. The Choi boy.” If he’s still available. For all I know, he’s escorting someone else to the top of Namsan Tower. And now that I’ve made up my mind, I want to be at the mountain immediately. I squeeze Boyoung’s hand and scoot out before she can deliver another concerned speech. It wouldn’t be useful. I’ve made up my mind. I made it up hours ago. Who am I to disobey the universe’s demands?

Outside, I send a hopeful text.

ME: I found Namsan but they wouldn’t let me up without a native tour guide.

I don’t have to wait long for a reply.

YUJUN: That’s terrible. Where are you? I’ll pick you up.

ME: I’ll meet you there. Riding the subway makes me feel accomplished, remember?

YUJUN: Don’t get lost.

ME: If I do, you can pick me up.

YUJUN: I changed my mind. Feel free to get lost.

I laugh and the weight on my chest that has lingered since yesterday seems to fly off.

ME: I’ll do my best to meet you at Namsan. Don’t be late or I’ll find another native tour guide.

YUJUN: Impossible. I’m the only one in Seoul that knows about Namsan. It’s a hidden gem.

ME: It’s in all the tour guides.

YUJUN: Sounds like a lie to me. See you soon.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“You did not get lost,” Yujun says, his face full of mock disappointment, as I climb the stairs out of the metro. I’m glad I’m wearing my sole frock when I spy him. He’s dressed in a pair of sharply tailored dark slacks hemmed right at the ankle bone with a white shirt tucked into the waistband. It’s likely normal office attire for him but comes off dressy and put together, and I’d look odd next to him wearing jeans or sweatpants.

“The Namsan Tower signs were hard to miss.” I don’t tell him I’ve been loitering in the subway for an hour, moving from one café to another.

“I’m glad you changed your mind.” He gives me a warm smile, one that doesn’t harbor an ounce of resentment that I first turned him down.

He’s different and no one will change my mind on that. “Me, too.” And because he’s different, I decide to be honest—something I’ve not always been in the past with other guys I’ve dated. With other people, I’ve put on an act, pretended things were okay when they weren’t. I don’t feel the need here. Or maybe it’s that he’s always been so open with me that it feels right to give that same vulnerability in return. “I’m leaving in a week, you know. And, well, you are here and I will be in America.”

The curve of his lips softens and understanding lights in his eyes. “Yes, I know. It’s a long way between us.” He swings his finger in the space between us and takes one step closer. He reaches out and brushes a wisp of my hair over my shoulder. A small sound catches in my throat. “But while you’re here, we can enjoy each other’s company?” It’s softly stated, more of a declaration than a question.