“No,” she agrees. “You shouldn’t have.”
But she doesn’t pull away. Instead, her eyes drift to my mouth again, and I feel a surge of hope that maybe, justmaybe, I haven’t completely blown this. That she wants this as desperately as I do.
“Minji, I?—”
“Aaron!” Axel’s voice cuts through the moment like a knife. He’s approaching quickly, his expression unreadable. “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone you need to meet.”
Minji steps back immediately, her spine straightening as she smooths invisible wrinkles from her dress. The softness I’d glimpsed just a few seconds ago vanishes behind her professional mask. My fingers curl into fists at my sides. She deserves better than what she’s settled for—a life where she’s convinced herself that loneliness is safer than risking her heart again. Somehow, I need to prove to her that what we could have together is worth that risk.
“Of course.” I try to keep the irritation from my voice. “Who is it?”
“Jordan Reed. The film producer who’s been trying to get the rights toBetween the Linesfor the past year.” Axel’s eyes flick between us, clearly sensing the tension. “He’s only here for another fifteen minutes.”
I look at Minji, torn. This could be a major opportunity for my career, but the last thing I want to do right now is leave her. Last time I left her standing alone I almost lost her. I don’t want to lose her again.
“Go.” She shoos me off. “This sounds important.”
“It is,” Axel confirms.
“I’ll be right back,” I promise her. “Ten minutes, tops.”
She nods, but something in her expression tells me she’s already retreating, mentally if not physically. “Take your time.”
Before I can stop her, she’s walking away, her pink dress a beacon in the crowded room.
“Did I interrupt something?” Axel asks, though his tone suggests he knows exactly what he walked in on.
“Nothing that can’t be continued later,” I say with more confidence than I feel. “Let’s go meet this producer.”
We are a few feet away from Jordan when Grayson grabs my arm stopping me. “Yo, what did you do to the TA?”
“Huh?”
“Minji, I saw her heading to the elevator.”
“She’s leaving?” I pull away from Grayson, my heart suddenly in my throat. “What do you mean she’s leaving?”
“She grabbed her purse from the check desk. Looked pretty determined.” Grayson’s expression is serious for once. “What happened?”
I don’t bother answering, already pushing through the crowd toward the elevators. Jordan Reed and his film rights can wait. I catch a glimpse of pink disappearing into an elevator just as the doors begin to close.
“Minji!” I call out, breaking into a run.
The doors slide shut. I jam my hand between them, forcing them back open.
“You’re leaving.” I step inside. Not a question.
“I shouldn’t have come. This was all a huge mistake.”
“What the hell just happened in the last two minutes? Is it because I kissed you?”
The doors close behind me, sealing us in together. The descent begins, each floor marking another second of tense silence.
“No… yes… hell, I don’t know.”
“Minji—”
“Don’t.” She holds up a hand. “Please don’t say whatever romantic speech you’re composing in your head right now.”
