Page 68 of GR8VITY

This close, I can really see the pink that tinges his cheeks. I would never in a million years tell him that it's cute, but it is. We all let her go at the same time, and I watch as her shoulders sink like she feels the loss of our touch on more than one level. I remind myself to hug her as much as possible in the coming hours.

She steps out from between us and walks toward the hall leading to our rooms. Kyung acts like he wants to go after her, but Jae-un beats him since we're slightly blocking him in. I give Jae-un a few seconds’ head start before stepping out of Kyung's way and letting him through. I catch Yeon's eye and wink just as he starts to smile. He saw what I did and won't say a word.

The rest of us flow out behind them so that Seong can talk to Yoon Ji. I'd say to fill him in on the plans for tomorrow. Dav En wasn't exactly lying when he said his present is probably going to be her favorite. I'm excited for it, too. Mostly because I can't wait to make her happy. No matter whose present is the best.

TRACK 17

HOME TONIGHT

LIZ

After such a long emotion-filled day, I'm really glad that I let Yoon Ji talk me into going back home with him. I really can't fathom spending tonight alone after our talk earlier. I've got most of their personalities and quirks down pretty quickly considering there are eight of them. One of the best things about him that I think even some of his members forget sometimes, is that he truly is a great listener.

We walk hand in hand, not in any rush to get anywhere after we fill our bellies full of our favorite chicken. He'd asked if I wanted to go to my favorite place, but I'd told him no for more than one reason. I don't want to see anyone I know right now. With my emotions so raw, it's bad enough that he's had to see me like this. I do my best to hide it away from the world. Plus, he's not even wearing his own shoes or a jacket. I'm just glad he grabbed a mask on his way out, even if his bleach blonde hair is sticking out every which way. It might be a good thing, though. No one would ever expect an idol to be out and about without looking pristine. My guys aren't like that. They care to an extent, but they're so down-to-earth. It's one of the main things that drew me to Kyung. I kind of fully expected him to act like a diva celebrity. That is the furthest thing from the truth. They're some of the most kind, humble people I've ever met.

I peek up at Yoon Ji to find him already watching me. It makes me smile and blurt out what I'm thinking. "My omma would've loved you. All of you."

"We would've loved her, too, I'm sure," he says, making my heart flutter when he adds, "She gave us you, after all."

Grinning like a fool, I purposely bump into him.

He doesn't even pretend to stumble, like the wall of muscle he is. There's a flashing light ahead. We see it at the same time and look at each other with wide eyes.

"Ice cream?" I ask with a quick wiggle of my eyebrows.

"Absolutely," he agrees, chuckling. "But no running home today."

"Deal," I tell him, skipping ahead a few steps.

When I turn around to see if he's following, he's tucking his phone into his pocket. I might be an emotional wreck today, but I'm not oblivious. I'd bet my ice cream that the others are keeping tabs on us. Well, maybe not my whole ice cream. Just one scoop. Nah, I take that back. Both scoops and the cone, because my phone hasn't gone off a single time. Kyung would normally be freaking out by now if he hadn't laid eyes on me. Earlier doesn't count since they were covered playing a game.

We take our time deciding before we pay and stand back to watch them scoop our cones. Yoon Ji grabs both of them and looks them up and down before handing me mine.

"Did you want to try it?" I ask him, knowing he's so accustomed to sharing and trading his food that it's almost second nature at this point.

"May I?" he asks in return.

Smiling, I hold it out for him. Slipping his mask off one ear, he uses his lips to pinch off a small bit to try. A short huff of a laugh escapes when I see the line just above his lip.

"That one is really good," he admits. "I wasn't sure I'd like the strawberry flavor mixed with banana."

"I'll trade you," I offer. "But let me get that first."

Closing the small gap between us, I use my thumb to clean off his lip, not even fighting my grin. His eyes flick down to mine, and it makes my stomach flutter in response. I lift my chin a bit, giving him permission. Forgetting all about the ice cream, he leans down and presses his mouth against mine.

I like the way he tastes sweeter than any ice cream ever could. I like the way his free arm goes around my lower back to pull me closer. But what I really like is how each kiss I've gotten from him has surprised me. The first one in the van was rough, because our competitive natures brought out his animal. The one later was less animalistic, but still just as passionate. This one is sweet. Every brush of his tongue against mine is slow and deliberate like he's trying to memorize everything about this moment that he can.

With all of the willpower I can muster in my body, I bring my free hand up from where it's resting at the top of his stomach to his chest and push ever so slightly. He pulls away, but doesn't go very far. His expression says he doesn't want to stop and neither do I, but I didn't even check around us for people or cameras like I normally do. The last thing I want is to cause them any kind of scandal issues.

"Ice cream first before it melts," I suggest with a quick nod. "Finish this later?"

He catches on and takes a look around us as he replies, "Promise?"

"I promise," I tell him with a smile, offering my cone up for trade.

Looking between the two, he decides to keep his own, and it makes me smile as much as him trading me would've.

"Want to walk down the river for a little while?" he asks. "It's been raining so much, and I've been stuck inside a lot lately. I miss the fresh air."