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Tae Hyun enthusiastically nodded. “Of course, I remember you. It’s nice to see you again.”
Raven nodded as if she was following along and turned to Jason. “I assume they already know each other?”
Jason hadn’t even realized they were still speaking Korean. Had he gotten that used to hearing it all the time? He chuckled. “Of course, they know each other. They’re both idols.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Raven.” Tae Hyun switched to English. “That was rude. Thank you for bringing her to me.”
“No problem.” Raven smiled. “Sounds like my work here is done. Enjoy the party!” She grinned as she turned and bounced back into the crowd.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Riki continued in English. “I was excited to hear you’d be at the awards, but I didn’t get a chance to say hello.”
“Ah.” Tae Hyun frowned. “I didn’t know you were there.”
“That’s okay.” Riki smiled as her gaze shifted from Tae Hyun to Jason and back. “You’re way more on people’s minds right now than I am.”
Tae Hyun scrunched his face in embarrassment, which Jason rarely saw him do. “Oh. Where are my manners? Riki, this is Jason Park.” He paused for a moment. “He’s my, uh–”
“Boyfriend.” Jason held out a hand in greeting. “I’m his boyfriend. And I wonder if we’ve already met.”
Riki nodded. “I think so, maybe. I’ve been to most of your movie premieres.” She smiled. “And it’s actually Rebecca. Rebecca Han. Riki is only my stage name, although most people just call me that anyway.” Then she turned back to Tae Hyun. “And I was excited to hear about your solo album. I’ve been aDreamerever sinceRandom Geography. In fact, I listened to it all the time when I was working on my second album.”
Tae Hyun’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow!Starlight Beatdownwas almost singularly responsible for getting me through my last breakup.”
“For real?” Riki chuckled. “I think that’s the first time I heard that one.”
Tae Hyun bashfully grinned. “I was very angry at the time.
“Well, I’m glad I could help.”
Jason had finished his Kingston while Tae Hyun and Riki talked, so he glanced toward the bar to see if it was busy and caught a glimpse of Tony Ruiz, the man whose messages he’d been ignoring. He quickly turned away, but not before they made eye contact, and Jason knew it was too late to escape. He pushed a casually friendly grin onto his face. “Hey, Tae Hyun. I’m gonna hit up the bar while you two catch up. Either of you need anything?”
Tae Hyun and Riki both shook their heads. “I’m okay,” Tae Hyun said.
“Now I can ask him about you,” Riki added with a wink.
Jason chuckled, outwardly casual, while he swallowed his irritation at having to deal with business at a party. He should’ve just let Tony know what was happening when he had the chance. But it was too late for that. He made sure to keep up his smile as he walked over to the bar.
“Hi, Jason.” Tony had dressed low-key for the party–and presumably, the awards show–opting for his typical streetwear style of wide-legged, indigo denim pants and a slim, asphalt gray tufted vest over a white, long-sleeve tee printed with harajuku-style anime girls. He still had his trademark stubble but had cut his straight, formerly shoulder-length black hair short and went with a side part.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Tony.”
Tony smiled. “I could say the same thing. You haven’t been to one of Raven’s parties in years.” He nodded toward Jason’s glass. “Still a Kingston man?”
Jason chuckled. “You know it.”
Tony turned to the bartender and grabbed a bourbon for Jason and a clear cocktail for himself. “Here you go.” He handed Jason his drink. “I take it you’re done avoiding me now?”
“I haven’t been avoiding you,” Jason explained as he took the glass. “I’ve just been so damn busy. You know?”
Tony angrily frowned and rolled his eyes. “We’re all busy, Jason. It’s fucking Hollywood. But if you don’t want the part, just tell me. You don’t need to keep blowing me off like I’m some fucking back-office intern.”
“It’s not like that.” Jason huffed. “Of course, I want the fucking part.” He angrily shook his head. “But it’s only been a few weeks, Tony. I’m busy. I’ve got a lot going on. So maybe back off a little. Okay?”
Tony’s frown melted away. “Shit, Jason. I’m sorry. I might be a little drunk.”
Jason reached up to rub the back of his head. He used the gesture to flirt most of the time, but it worked just as well for sheepish apologies. “No, I’m sorry. I should’ve just told you what I was thinking. Of course, I want the part. It’s perfect for me. But I can’t take it right now, not with everything going on.”
Tony snorted. “See? That’s all I need to hear.” He shook his head. “I’ll tell you something Inevertell actors, cuz I know it always goes to your fucking head. But I’ve wanted to work with you again ever since we wrappedMoon Shines Madly. And I wrote this fucking part for you.”
