Daniela simply stared at him. Again. This whole situation was surreal. Maybe she was just imagining it. Yes! That had to be it! She’d closed her eyes against the sun and had fallen asleep somehow. Jungkook was just a dream. She would awake soon to find him gone, a figment of mist and fantasy.
She sighed. She might as well enjoy this dream while it lasted.
“Are you doing anything this afternoon?”
He raised his raven eyebrows. She watched them dancing along his forehead as he queried, “What did you have in mind?”
“Cheesecake.”
“Cheesecake?”
“Yes. Cheesecake. I love cheesecake! Have you ever had it?”
He nodded. Then he suddenly grinned widely, scrunching up his adorable nose. His eyes transformed into two laughing half-moons as he exclaimed, “I love cheesecake too!”
“Do you have a favorite shop where you like to order it?”
Jungkook nodded vociferously. He had suddenly become very animated. He jumped to his feet, then he bent over and held his hand out to her to pull her up. As she slid her hand into his, she gasped. A thousand bolts of electricity went through her fingers as they contacted his. He didn’t seem to notice.
He replied, “Passion 5! Best cheesecake in Seoul! And they have a thousand other delicious things to try too. Want to go? I can drive us. My car’s right over there.” With his free hand, he gestured towards the parking lot.
Daniela swallowed. Was Jungkook asking her out on a date?
He was standing looking down at her expectantly. That wide grin still splitting his face. He was so gorgeous that she still couldn’t breathe very well. Or maybe she was just holding her breath. Afraid to breathe. Afraid she’d wake up. Afraid he’d remove his hand from hers.
“Well?” he finally prompted her.
She nodded. “I’d love to.” Somehow, she’d found her voice.
He tugged on her hand, but then he stopped. He glanced at the ground. “Need your backpack?”
Once again, her chin bobbed up and down. He released her hand. He bent to retrieve her bag. At the same time that she did. His hand closed around the strap. As he stood up, his head collided with hers.
“Ow!” She rubbed her head. “Sorry!”
He smiled at her. “I’ll carry it for you.” He hoisted her bag up. “Your bag.” He slung it over his shoulder.
Her heart melted. “Jungkook. Thank you! You’re always so considerate!”
He quirked an eyebrow. His mouth relaxed, his grin disappearing.
Her face instantly flushed. “I’ve watched lots of videos of you. You’re always helping somebody. You’re such a sweetie!”
His lips quirked. His eyes slid away from hers.
Was he blushing?
She studied his face. He looked a little embarrassed. His eyes were locked on the ground at his feet. His hair had fallen forward and was hiding one of those beautiful eyes from her view. She wanted to reach up and push his bangs back. So that she could see both of those incredible eyes.
“It’s okay to be a nice guy, you know? Nothing to be embarrassed about.”
He raised his head. He slid his hand through his fringe. His eyes met hers sheepishly. “Ready to go?”
She nodded. She missed the touch of his hand already. But at least she could see both of his eyes now.
He glanced down at her hand. Then he held his left hand out to her. His eyes met hers questioningly. “Can I hold your hand?”
Ohhh.
Why did his words warm her heart so? After two weeks of being completely alone in a foreign land, here she was, this beautiful boy holding out his hand of friendship to her. She smiled gratefully at him and reached for that hand. This time anticipating the lightning strike that followed.
