She did it again. He wasn’t getting it. If he would only just... “Push your hair back. That can’t be comfortable having it just drip in your face like that.”
He did as requested, but he took his own sweet time, running his fingers through his hair, pushing it off his face. Julia’s mouth watered at the sight. She knew he was playing it up on purpose by the wicked grin on his face. “Better?”
She nodded.
She could see his face now. But she still couldn’t believe it.What was Tae doing here in Korea? Unannounced visits hadn’t gone well for the two of them in the past.
Tae closed the distance, close enough to her that the umbrella covered them both. She felt sheltered in a cocoon of his presence.
“I knew this was either going to be the most epic romantic gesture, one for the ages, or it was going to be a complete flop.” He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck, suddenly shy, nervous. “But I figured I had to try, right? Also, the others weren’t going to let me off the hook.”
Julia shook her head, not understanding. “The others? Tae, you’ve lost me. And we’ve had these confusing conversations, filled with holes of missing information, before. They didn’t go well.”
“Yeah, sorry. Okay, long story short, I’m here because your family, your friends, your assistant, my folks, hell, even Min all chipped in to get me this plane ticket. I was trying to get here as soon as I could, but,” he said and shrugged, “I wasn’t sure I could come up with the money.”
She nodded. Money, again, doing its best to keep the two of them apart.
“But then, I was handed a gift. One that the old me would have been offended by.”
“A gift?”
“A surprise, likely your grandmother’s idea. I didn’t want charity. I didn’t want to need anyone’s help to do this. But, you see, I’ve been working on myself a lot lately. And one of the things I promised I’d try and do was, well, accept help and support when it’s offered. And there were just a lot of people who love you, and who love me too, apparently, wanting me to see my plan through, to get on a plane and make a big-ass grand gesture to you here. So, yeah, that’s why I’m here.”
“Holy shit, that’s a lot to unpack.”
“No kidding. Family and friends all chipped in.” Tae’s smile spread wide.
“Are you really here? In Korea?”
“I am. Is it okay?” he asked.
“It is.”
The rain was falling harder now, pounding on the umbrella over the two of them. But Julia swore she could still hear how loudly her heart was beating.
“Are you feeling romantic?” he asked.
“I’m feeling soggy,” she answered.
Tae dropped his head and laughed, water dropping with each motion.
“How’d you know I’d be here at Namsan Tower?”
“Well, Annette might have told me that youput hundreds of lovesick tickets to Namsan Toweron your expense report. It’s good to have friends in powerful places.”
“She’s fired... again.”
“And I’ve heard through the Korean Gossip Network that you’re having a really great time here. I’m glad. You look really good.”
“Oh my God, is everyone talking about me? No, how embarrassing. Are they taking bets on if I’ll offend everyone here? If I’ll find a husband here? What? Tell me.”
Tae laughed. “I’m kidding, Jules. I’ve been reading your weekly updates to the company.”
Julia raised her eyebrows, and when realization hit, she shook her head. “Jesus, I don’t know who’s worse, my grandmother or Annette.”
“Actually, you can blame your besties for the emails. Sonia forwards them and Rachel makes commentary on all the places she thinks you need me to come experience with you,” Tae admitted.
Great. Everyone was in on it. Julia couldn’t believe thateveryone had chipped in to send Tae here, for her. For them. Her heart felt like it might burst.
