Page 346 of Scarbound

Minho’s gaze moved between them. “Noeul,” he said quietly, “do you want me to stay?”

Noeul considered the question before shaking his head. “I’m okay. Go. Your partner will kill me if I make you late again.”

Minho didn’t laugh. “You’re sure?”

Noeul nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Only after Minho left did Noeul approach Chung-Hee.

Chung-Hee hadn’t expected him to. Not after everything he had done.

For a moment, neither man seemed to know what came next. Then Chung-Hee made a small gesture toward the bartender and ordered Noeul’s favorite beer and a glass of whiskey with ice for himself. When the bottle arrived, he placed it on the counter between them.

Noeul looked at it, then at him. “I’m surprised you still remember my preferences.”

“I remember everything.”

The answer came too quickly.

Chung-Hee lifted his whiskey and drained it in one swallow. Noeul picked up the beer, turning the cold bottle slowly between his fingers.

“You’ve become quieter,” he observed.

Chung-Hee gave a faint smile. “I thought you preferred me that way.”

Noeul almost laughed.

Almost.

“Perhaps.”

The single word left a bitter aftertaste in Chung-Hee’s chest.

For a brief moment, his hand lifted toward Noeul, an old, familiar impulse. He wanted to brush the hair away from his face, to make sure the man standing beside him was real.

His hand stopped halfway. He lowered it again. The impulse had not disappeared. What had changed was that Chung-Hee no longer treated wanting Noeul as permission to touch him.

Noeul noticed. Their eyes met.

“Why did you appear in front of me after all this time?” Chung-Hee asked quietly.

“I didn’t,” Noeul replied, the corner of his mouth lifting. “You appeared in front of me.”

A quiet laugh escaped Chung-Hee.

“Have you eaten?” Chung-Hee asked. “Come on. My treat. It’s been a long time since our paths crossed, and…” He hesitated. “There are a few things I should have said to you a long time ago.”

Noeul didn’t answer right away. He studied the man in front of him.

“Somewhere public,” Noeul said.

Chung-Hee’s expression changed slightly. “Of course.”

“And I’m leaving whenever I want.”