AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nathaniel didn’t come with you?”
His eyes stray to me. “His mom called. He’s out front.”
I don’t stay to watch Sun get his cake, rushing out the doors.
The night air is cool against my skin, and I wrap my arms around my body as I search the outer courtyard.
I picked this restaurant because of its secluded location. It’s one of many buildings on a large, sprawling park with forests and creeks. Besides the restaurant, there’s also a coffee shop and a museum dedicated to a renowned architect.
I peek my head through the gate where a pathway leads to the parking lot. I don’t see any sign of Nathaniel. I don’t think I could have missed him. To the right, another path—the one lit by stone lanterns—leads into a grove of trees.
It feels only natural to follow this path. The sky is cloudless. Moonlight pours through the thin canopy, silvering the trees. The path leads to a small stone bridge that spans over a tiny creek. I can see the museum through the trees, lit from within, shining like treasure in the darkness.
“Sori?”
I turn.
Nathaniel stands at the other end of the bridge. He pockets his phone—he must have just finished his call with his mother. He doesn’t ask what I’m doing out here. Does he know that I camelooking for him? Thoughts of my mother aside, something good happened tonight, and so I wanted to share this moment with the person who makes me the happiest.
I start walking toward him across the bridge, and then I’m running.
I launch myself into his arms. He takes a few steps back from the force, his arms going up to catch me. For a minute neither of us moves. I listen to his shallow breaths. His heart beats rapidly against my own.
His hand slides up my back, and I shiver in his arms. “Sorry we’re late,” he says. “Sun stopped to get gas. There were some fans...”
I shake my head. “Did you watch ASAP’s performance?”
“I did, on the car ride over. They were incredible. You should be proud.”
“It was all them. They were the ones that practiced relentlessly, put in the hours.”
“You did too,” he says, “or did you forget?” I lean back to see him smile, a glint of mischief in his moonlit eyes. “I saw you every night when you came back after practicing with Hyemi. You were notnotsweaty.”
I feign hitting him in the chest and he catches my arm. His long fingers circle around my wrist gently, his thumb brushes against my pulse.
This isn’t the perfect order—I would have liked to have my mother’s permission first—but I can’t hold back any longer. It’s like what Hyemi said, about feeling like she could do anything. I feel the same way. My happiness gives me wings, making me brave enough to go after what I want.
After everything I’ve done for Hyemi, for my mother, I can finally do whatIwant...
Like in the pool, I stand up on my toes and bring my mouth to his.
The kiss is sweet, if brief. When I release him, I look up into his eyes. They’re half-lidded, gazing down at me.
“Do you mean it?” he asks softly. His fingers around my wrist tighten infinitesimally.
“I mean it,” I say. “With my heart, with my body, with my soul.”
His breath hitches, and then he’s kissing me. He lets go of my wrist to drag his hand through my hair. I tremble at his touch, gripping his shoulders to keep from falling. His hand lowers, pressing me closer until I’m flush against him.
My lips open beneath his. When his tongue slides against my own, I feel as if I’m melting.
His kisses are long and soft; mine are just as ardent. I could kiss him forever, except that I made a promise. Tomorrow, after I talk to my mother, I won’t have to hold back.
I give him one last lingering kiss, then step away.
He looks a little bereft, so I raise my hand to touch his cheek.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” he says, covering my hand with his own.
