Page 139 of Scarbound

Noeul became aware of how close they were. Duri was taller, close enough that Noeul had to tilt his face slightly upward to meet his eyes. Neither moved.

Noeul’s heartbeat quickened beneath Duri’s palm, but his body didn’t recoil. Duri swallowed. His usual teasing expression had disappeared.

Noeul knew that look. Or perhaps he was only beginning to understand it. His gaze dropped to Duri’s lips, then returned to his eyes.

Duri saw it. His own eyes flickered downward.

For one suspended second, neither seemed willing to breathe. Noeul moved almost imperceptibly closer. Duri didn’t retreat. He could smell the beer on his breath. Feel the warmth of his body.

Noeul could step away. He didn’t.

Their faces edged closer.

Then, the console beeped.

Both jumped.

Noeul stepped backward first. For a moment, neither spoke. Then he ran a hand through his hair and gave an awkward laugh.

“What the hell was that?”

Duri cleared his throat, cheeks flushed. “The game.”

“The game?”

“It distracted us.”

Noeul stared at him. “That makes absolutely no sense.”

“I know.”

A laugh escaped Noeul before he could stop it. Duri smiled too, shyly this time.

Neither mentioned what had almost happened. But when they returned to the couch, they sat closer than before.

CHAPTER 44

Later that week, Noeul stood before the elegant wooden door, his fingers hovering over the bell.

Come on, he told himself. It’s not that hard. You can do this. And yet another thought followed almost immediately. What if he knew everything?

If Kija knew the truth about him—about Haneul, Gong, the mistakes he had made, the things he had failed to see—would he still look at him with the same warmth? Part of Noeul still believed he wouldn’t. That anyone who knew enough would eventually despise him. He hated that the thought still had so much power.

But this wasn’t only about him. Ji-Woo needed help with his portfolio. Noeul wanted to give shape to the grief he carried for Haneul, perhaps even turn it into something meaningful instead of letting it remain hidden in drawers and memories. Whatever he had become, this mattered. For them, he thought. And, for once, perhaps a little for himself too.

He rang the bell.

When the door opened, Kija’s warm smile eased some of the tightness in his chest. “Welcome, Noeul. How are you?” he asked gently, stepping aside.

“I’m well. I just got off work.” Noeul held out the bag in his hands. “I brought food. I hope that’s okay.”

Kija’s eyes softened. “Of course it is. Come in. Make yourself comfortable.” He took the bag from him. “Your brother?”

“He’s on a trip to Jeju Island with his girlfriend, so it’ll just be us today. He’s upset he can’t make it, he wanted to hear from you personally, but even if he tried, he wouldn’t get back in time.”

“Too bad. I’m sorry about the last-minute arrangement. It’s the only afternoon I have free before my flight back to the U.S. Would you like something to drink before we begin?”

“Coffee would be nice, if it’s not too much trouble.”