Page 28 of GR8VITY

Minsul pulls my attention away after a few seconds. "What is your degree for?"

"Accounting with a minor in economics of underdeveloped countries," I reply easily, even though it's a mouthful.

In Se steals my opportunity to ask my own question as he gasps slightly. "My god! So, you're beautiful and smart."

The others laugh, but I shy away from the compliment. I'm quickly learning that I might have a problem.

Kyung is laughing too, but then announces loud enough for everyone to hear, "I think that's the first time that I've seen you blush from nothing but words."

My head turns slowly so that I can peg him with a disbelieving glare and my mouth slightly agape. I'm not the only one that catches on, either, because Dav En on his other side leans forward enough to lock eyes with me with a surprised expression as he elbows Kyung. In Se cackles across from us, making the rest of them laugh again. Kyung, who obviously didn't mean it the way that the rest of us took it, looks confused before he catches on. His own blush stealing across his cheeks before he covers his mouth with his laugh.

Yoon Ji is the only one quiet at the end of the table and finally blurts, "I don't get it."

And, it sends us into another fit.

A little while later, after I've offered to help clear the table and they've declined, I tell them I need to go, much to several of their protests. I get the feeling that several of us still need to process everything, myself included.

"I'm going to walk her home," Kyung announces.

Seong Su starts to say something, but Kyung cuts him off. "I'm not staying. I'll come right back."

"You don't have to walk me," I tell him quietly. "I'll be fine."

"Shh," he says almost pushing me out the door after I say bye to everyone, including a pouting Dav En because he wasn't allowed to come along.

Kyung and I walk in quiet peace until we're halfway to my apartment, then he finally breaks the silence. "So, what did you think? Are they too much?"

I grin up at him. "They're perfect, actually. Kind of exactly what I pictured."

He laughs, tucking his hands into his hoodie front pocket and dropping his head bashfully. "I'm sorry they asked so many questions."

Locking my hand through his elbow, I lean into him and rest my head against his arm. "I'm glad that they did. It shows that they care for you. And, I don't mind answering questions if it means you're happy and not having to hide things from your family."

Stopping us in the middle of the sidewalk, he wraps his arms around my shoulders, tucking my head beneath his chin. "You're the one that's perfect. I just really hope that you're ready for the idol side of me."

I pull away just far enough to stretch up on my toes and kiss underneath his chin. "You've got nothing to worry about."

The next day, Kyung calls and invites me to dinner with another apology, because it'll be with everyone again. Apparently, they didn't get all of their questions out last night. We stop for food on the way to bring home, and get attacked almost immediately when we walk through the door. The way that they all run to us for greetings or to grab the food or both makes me laugh, drawing a grin out of Kyung, too. The questioning begins as soon as we sit down tonight.

In Se is the last person to sit down and isn't even bothering with the food as he starts it off. "Do you have a secret talent?"

I laugh at his enthusiasm as I answer, "I can juggle."

Kyung's head jerks to me in surprise. "I never knew that."

Shrugging, I laugh again. "You never asked."

Turning back to In Se, I ask, "Do you have a secret talent?"

He purses his lips then smiles. "I'm a strong man beneath this beautiful exterior."

My heart races for reasons I cannot explain as he ends that with a wink. It forces my lips to pull up into a grin.

"I like when you smile," Yoon Ji announces from the end of the table.

I flick my gaze down his way to see if he's talking to me as his members groan around us.

"Don't be awkward," Jae-un reminds him under his breath.