TRACK 09 #3
"Nope," she replies quietly, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "I was saving it for a special occasion."
"What's the special occasion tonight?" I ask curiously.
"You're all together and not working. The one thing all of you said you wish you had more time for," she states quietly, having absolutely no idea the thoughtful gift she's given us.
Not only do we get time with her in one of her favorite places and share this moment with her, but we're working so much lately that we don't spend as much time as we used to. We needed this.
I kiss the side of her head and then her cheek before moving to whisper in her ear, "You're the best, my Lizzy. Thank you."
Her face turns, and I get just enough time to see the smile on her face before she presses her lips to mine.
I was raised pretty contemporary, hardly ever seeing my parents show affection toward each other, especially out in public.
For the longest time, until I met Liz, as a matter of fact, I could've never fathomed showing any kind of public affection.
Maybe there's just something that changes inside of someone when they find their person.
That's the only explanation I have for feeling no kind of shame or wanting to hide, knowing that there are seven other people in this room that could turn around at any moment and spot us kissing.
Sliding my hand down her jawline, I let my thumb linger as it drags slower before I lock my fingers around the back of her neck. She turns so that our chests touch, lifting her chin so that I've got an even better angle to devour her mouth.
It takes a minute and all the willpower I can muster before I can pull myself away from her. Taking one last taste of her on my lips, I kiss her on the forehead and let her go. Her face is flushed, and pride blooms in my chest knowing I put that blush there.
As she goes to turn back to the room, I wrap my arms around her middle again from behind and walk with her.
Several of the others like Seong and Minsul are studying the aquatic life a little too hard for it to be real interest. In Se and Jae-un are whispering, each flicking their gaze our way a few times.
Yoon Ji openly stares, doing that slight head tilt of his.
Dav En, probably so used to being around us or possibly fully invested in the turtle that he's watching, doesn't pay us any mind at all.
Walking us over to Yoon Ji where he's still standing with his back to the fish, she asks, "Didn't see anything worth looking at in this room?"
I close my eyes and hope for the best, because whatever is about to come out of his mouth has the chance to make things super awkward.
"No, I did," he says, surprising me.
His eyes jump from hers to mine as his smile grows, and I know we're not in the clear. Especially as she lets out a soft laugh. "Well, come on then. This place is a lot bigger than you think it is."
When she goes to move away this time, I release her and watch as she walks over to Dav En, engaging him in conversation about the turtle he's watching.
"Is it weird watching your best friend with your girl?" Yoon Ji asks quietly so that only I can hear.
I watch the way Dav En grins down at her when he says something making her laugh before she wraps him up in a hug. "Not at all, Yoon Ji. It feels right."
"Hmm," is all he replies before we all start making our way over to the tunnel that leads into another room.
We've all grouped back up to walk through, so it's easy enough to hear Liz say, "Dav, see if you can touch the top."
He complies easily without stopping to think about it, but he's a few inches shy.
"Here," he says crouching down, "get on my back."
"No," she argues like she does every time. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Babe, how many times do I have to tell you that you aren't going to hurt me," he retorts.
"It's true," In Se throws out there. "He's used to carrying Jae-un's weight. You should be a breeze."
Jae-un turns a frown toward In Se, even though he knows he's just teasing like he always does.
Liz rolls her eyes playfully before climbing on Dav En's back. He stands to full height so that she can reach for the glass. Just as her fingers touch it, a stingray glides over the surface, making it appear that she's grazing his belly.
"Dav," she whispers, pulling his attention upward.
"Woahhh," he says, quietly.
We all stand amazed as the ray glides all the way across and carries on his way. She drops her arms around his shoulders and buries her face into his neck, making him smile even wider.
I'm standing close enough that I hear her whisper a thank you before kissing his cheek and climbing down off his back.
Dav En gives off this persona that he's such a player all good with the girls, but it'd take one of us to know just how shy he actually is.
Clearly shown by the color that spikes in his cheeks the moment her attention is on him.
When she passes me, she reaches out to run her fingers across my stomach and that feeling hits me again. I have no choice but to follow her wherever she decides to lead us next