“What took you so long?” she asked. Maybe she had hoped he’d come sooner. Maybe, in the early days, she had thought to leave to go home and see him.
Or maybe right now was just the right time.
“I had to take care of the shit I was going through. I couldn’t put it on you. I had to deal with it all first. I’m... I’m seeing someone...”
Julia processed the words, though they didn’t seem to fit in this grand, romantic gesture moment. He was seeing someone? Julia pulled back and jerked his grip off her. “What?”
“A therapist, Julia. I’m seeing a therapist.”
“Well, good for her. I’m glad she has some fancy job. I hope you two will be very happy.” Julia was furious. She turned to walk away, rain now pelting her in the face. But Tae reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her, dropping the umbrella.
He was laughing so uncontrollably he’d almost lost his grip. Oh, this therapist he was with must make him very happy if the smile on his face was any indication. Julia was pissed. She hated this girl and her important job.
“Julia—” Tae had to almost shout to be heard through the rain “—I’m notdatinga therapist. I’mseeinga therapist. You know, therapy? Talking to someone about the shit going through my head and in my life? Helping sort that out?”
It finally clicked in Julia’s head. “Oh,” she said. Tae wasn’t dating someone else. Thank God. “Tae, that is really good news. I’m so happy you decided to do that,” she yelled.
“I needed help. So, yeah.” Tae dipped his head.
Julia was so fucking proud of him. He was the bravest, strongest person she knew.
Hair stuck to their heads, clothes drenched, Julia was freezing. But she didn’t care. None of that mattered. She steppedcloser, forcing him to look at her. Water clung to his eyelashes, waiting to drop. “It’s so good, Tae.”
He nodded and let out a sigh of relief. “It is, Jules. And I went back to Chicago and moved all my stuff back home. Finally took care of those loose ends. I’m... settled. I feel settled. Jesus, Julia. I told you everyone in the world who loves us sent me here so I could make a Grand Romantic Gesture at the top of Namsan Tower, and you actually thought I was here to tell you I was dating someone else?”
“It’s raining. I was confused,” she said.
He stitched his brows together. He seemed to be the one confused. “You’re a nut.”
The rain kept coming down, but neither of them made a move to leave. The two of them just stood like it was the most normal day of the year, unwilling to leave the circle of confession they’d put around them.
“Bogo shipeoseo,” Julia said.
“I’ve missed you too,” he answered. “God, it’s sexy when you speak Korean.”
Julia’s cheeks heated. She was happy he noticed, since she’d really been making an effort with her Korean. And if Tae found it sexy, it felt even more worth it. “I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t believe it,” she said, shaking her head. She couldn’t stop staring at him. He was here. With her.
“Julia...” Tae’s eyes asked if it was okay for him to go on. She wasn’t sure what was next. She was completely sure it would be okay. She nodded.
Tae’s cold hands held her face. They felt like the warmest embrace ever.
“I love you,” he said.
She closed her eyes and let the words settle in her heart. Words late in coming, but that had existed there all along. “I love you too,” she said.
He leaned down, and his lips met hers. The softest of connections, the warmest breath, the gentlest of touches. Her eyes closed slowly as she let herself lean in. Julia’s hands reached for his lapels, pulling him closer. Tae ran his nose down her cheek, bringing his lips back to hers. He placed small kisses all around her mouth and, with a brief hesitation, let out a tiny breath before pressing his lips hard to hers. The energy between them became a sudden, desperate flame. The months they’d been apart were necessary but felt too long. Julia was starved for his touch.
If she held him close enough, if she could let her desire speak the words over and over again—I love you, I love you, I love you—the two of them could be safe right here.
“God, Julia,” Tae said, pulling back a fraction to take a breath, resting his forehead on hers.
“Tae,” Julia whispered. “I want you.”
“You’ve got me, Jules. You always have,” he said.
She lifted herself on her toes and met his mouth for another kiss.
His taste, his touch, his entire being, so familiar, so comforting. She sighed into the kiss and let herself get swept up into it all.
