Page 25 of XOXO

Things with us hadn’t really gotten better, but they weren’t as strained anymore, at least he hadn’t gone on any dates. I felt guilty being happy that he hadn’t gone on any dates, but the least I could do was stay home with him. We watched movies and we worked together in the evenings before having a glass of wine while we sat on the terrace.

Is this what happens to friendships when we get older?

My phone thankfully rang, pulling me from my depressing thoughts. Ruwon’s name popped up.

“Hey, you on your way?” I asked, barely containing my excitement at seeing my best friend.

It had been way too long since we all had been together.

“Hey, I’m not going to be able to make it,” he sighed. “I got tied up with things here and I thought I was going to be able to leave today, but I won’t be able to.”

I opened my mouth to complain, but I held myself back.

“Are you ok?” I asked, as Levi set his computer down, sitting next to me.

I put the call on speaker.

“Yeah…I’m just tired,” he said softly. “I thought getting out of the military would be chill, but I feel busier and more pressured to go back to work immediately.”

“Ruwon, tell them to fuck off,” I said, as Levi glared at me.

“I think you need to set boundaries,” Levi said, leaning against me. “Ruwon, you just served in the military. You can afford to take some time for yourself.”

“Hi, Levi,” Ruwon said fondly. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too,” Levi sighed. “I’m sorry I haven’t called I⁠—”

“Gomdori, you know you don’t have to apologize,” Ruwon yawned.

I couldn’t help but smile at his nickname for Levi—teddy bear.

“Yeah, but I should⁠—”

“Stop, it’s fine. Life didn’t stop when I had to enlist,” Ruwon interrupted him. “I know you’ve been busy in Paris working on that big account you finally landed.”

Levi blushed.

“Are we still on for our vacation? If you need to, maybe we can push it back,” I said, changing the subject for Levi’s sake.

“Hell yes, I would not miss that,” he said quickly. “I will be out of Seoul in three days.”

“Are you going to see your mom?” Levi asked.

“Yeah, I told her I would see her before we went on vacation,” Ruwon sighed. “She would drag me out of Seoul herself if I didn’t see her, especially since I told her I would visit after I took care of stuff.”

“I’m surprised she didn’t show up anyway,” I said, glancing at Levi, who pushed his glasses up his nose again as he looked at me with those mesmerizing green eyes I somehow got lost in.

“Matteo,” Levi said, raising his brow.

“What?” My cheeks felt hot. I should not be looking at Levi like this.

“Can you look at a contract for me?” Ruwon asked. “I have an Italian leather company asking me to be their brand ambassador. They want me to sign on immediately. They want to take pictures since I’ll be over there soon.”

“Yeah, send it to me,” I said, getting over my embarrassment. “You know you don’t have to ask.”

“I do, it’s been awhile since you’ve been my lawyer,” he said. “I’m going to have to put you on retainer now.”

“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes. “I take my payments in food, the ladies you don’t want and your many houses.”