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“But are you?” Jay asks as he flanks Eun’s left. “When’s the last time you ate? Are you anemic?”

“No. And I’m okay—really. Just need some water.”

“Here.” Lina hands over her bottled water and I uncap it and take a few sips before handing it back to her.

“Thanks,” I say evenly.

“What brought this on?” Eun asks. Both Lina and Jay are eyeing me; they also want the answer.

Knowing my friends, the three aren’t going to let this go. So, I tell them. “That CD.”

“What about it?” Jay holds it up, the front toward me.

“I know that group. Personally.”

“It’s a kick ass band,” Jay acknowledges. “I love the singer’s voice. His name is Raven. He’s so hot, but I wouldn’t fuck him. No… I’d fuck Rafe—he’s the lead guitarist. God, I wish. That guy has the body, the face—and what I’d give to get one night with him in bed.”

My eyebrows shoot up into my hairline as Jay shivers like he’s thinking about fucking my—Nope! Rafe isn’t mine. I don’t know what compels me, but I blurt out, “Well, I did.” Then I clamp my hand over my mouth before I spill my guts to them.

Jay’s eyes widen. “What?”

I spin around and walk away from them, hoping they drop the topic, but I’m not lucky enough. All three converge on me like locusts, ready to feast on every word I’m not willing to confess.

“You can’t just say that and then walk away and leave us hanging,” Lina scolds as she reaches my side.

“I’m slightly confused,” Jay begins. “Did you sleep with Raven or one of the other band members—wait, I think the singer is dating his bodyguard—but that information can be wrong,” Jay babbles on.

“Jay,” Lina firmly says his name and he quickly shuts his mouth. She turns back to me. “Now, explain.”

“Yes, explain, in detail,” Eun says with a frown.

“How about food, and then I will,” I reluctantly say, not meeting any of their eyes.

They all groan, but agree. Eun finds a restaurant four blocks from where we are standing and we swiftly walk there.

After stationing themselves around me at the table and ordering food, all eyes are back on me… Waiting.

“Spill it,” Lina says in a commanding voice. I smile at her, but it falters when she doesn’t return it back.

I let out a breath and explain. Every, single, detail. I look at the tabletop while I talk—it’s easier to not meet their eyes. When I’m done, though, I look up… at my friends’ stunned faces. Especially Eun. His deep frown and narrowed gaze show that he’s upset with me. Maybe I should have told him about Rafe during one of our FaceTime calls or text conversations, but I didn’t, and there’s a reason.

I signed a contract with a non-disclosure clause. Talking about the band breaks that clause, especially if I reveal details about any band member. Then it hits me. I just did. I’m no longer working for Warrior Black, but I would bet that clause contains a time period for confidentiality that goes past termination of my employment.

“I can’t believe you know the band—and you fucked Rafe—if I’m getting this right. You fucked the guitar God,” Jay announces, none too softly.

“Shhh,” I hiss, quickly looking around us. “I don’t want the whole world knowing.” The restaurant is small, but the tables are packed. I’m hoping most of them don’t know English well enough to understand what Jay just said. Or the server, because sometime during my confession our food was delivered. My friends have been eating, but I’ve lost my appetite and push my meal to the center of the table.

“Sorry.” Jay shrinks back in his seat. “I’m just so… excited for you—and damn jealous. How big is his dick?”

“Jay!” Lina scolds as she whacks him on the arm before turning to me. “Why didn’t you say goodbye to him?” Lina asks as she finishes the last spoonful of her bowl of bibimbap and kimchi.

“Our ride is here,” Eun announces. After we checked into our hotel, he decided to order a car to take us to the market instead of driving us himself. I understood his reasoning when I saw how overcrowded the market was. “We can talk more in the car,” Eun continues as he gets up and pays for our meal.

We climb inside the vehicle and settle in before Lina grabs my arm and says, “Tell me.” She studies my face a moment. “You really liked him, didn’t you?”

Liked doesn’t quite cover it. “I still do,” I confess.

“Then why didn’t you tell him goodbye?” Jay asks, sliding closer to us. Eun doesn’t move in his seat. His eyes are trained out the window like he’s avoiding me, but he can’t since we’re crowded into one vehicle.