“Why does everyone always say that?” Wynter perplexed.
Maybe because I have always had the most obvious crush on you, I wanted to say, but didn’t wanting to preserve his perspective of those summers.
Before I could reply, a familiar voice came from the hallway. “Did you tell them yet, Wyn?”
I turned to see Beck standing there, her dark hair tied into a sleek ponytail. The streak she’d once worn proudly was gone, replaced by a more understated elegance. She looked older, sharper, as if the years had distilled her into something even more precise.
“Beck,” Wynter said, his tone warm as he went to hug her.
She returned the hug with one arm, her gaze shifting to me. “And you brought Soh, took you long enough.”
“Beck, hi,” I said, stepping forward.
Beck’s sharp eyes studied me for a moment before she extended her hand. “It’s good to see you again. You haven’t changed much. Still… much softer than the rest of us.”
I wasn’t sure if that was meant as a compliment, but I smiled anyway. “You look great. The streak’s gone.”
Her lips twitched in something that resembled a smile. “It was intentional, Iassureyou. it was time to grow up. You should try it sometime, Wynter.”
“Why am I catching flames?” Wynter shot back.
The playful bickering was interrupted by a loud clatter from the kitchen.
“Bae!” Mr. Kwon’s voice carried an edge of exasperation.
“Coming!”
A whirlwind of energy burst into the room, carrying a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. Bae’s hair was piled into a messy bun, and flour smudged her cheek. Her eyes were wide with excitement, her movements quick and chaotic.
“Hi!” she chirped, ignoring her father’s pointed glare. “Sorry about the noise. I was making cookies, but the mixer kind of exploded. Did you know they can do that? Because I didn’t.”
“You overfilled it,” Beck said flatly, her tone dripping with disdain.
“Thanks for the analysis, attorney Kwon,” Bae replied with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. Then she turned to me, her energy lighting up the room. “Oh my gosh, you’re here! I’m so glad you came Soh. You guys are finally officially together yes?”
“Yes, I—”
“I knew it!” she interrupted, practically bouncing. “I told everyone. I said, ‘Wynter and Yesoh are totally a thing.’ But nobody listens to me.”
“Because you’re usually wrong,” Beck muttered, sipping her tea.
“Not about this!” Bae countered, her grin wide. She leaned closer to me, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “By the way, don’t eat the cookies. They might be poisonous.”
“Bae,” Mr. Kwon said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The kitchen.”
“Yes, yes, I’m going!” She waved a flour-covered hand and darted back into the chaos she’d left behind.
“She’s… lively,” I said, smiling despite myself.
“She’s exhausting,” Beck corrected, though there was a glimmer of affection in her tone.
“She’s Bae,” Wynter said simply, his voice softer.
Later Bae begged Beck and I to head down to the store to buy more cookie batter so she could attempt her mission again.
The grocery store was alive with chatter, the beeping of cash registers, and the faint, tinny sound of holiday music playing over the speakers. Beck walked beside me, her stride purposeful and poised, just as I remembered. Even in a simple black coat and jeans, she exuded that polished, untouchable air that made you sit up straighter in her presence.
I pushed the cart, weaving through aisles as Beck glanced down at the list she’d made. “Bae’s instructions were… vague,” she said, her lips twitching in amusement.
