Chapter 39
AARON
I’ve waited twelve long years to finally have Minji back in my life.
Not a day passed without me thinking about her.
I remembered how she would curl up against me during those college nights, and how her laughter could light up her whole face.
Now, as I watch her recall our shared past, I feel something change between us, like the last piece of a puzzle finally fitting.
“You remember that weekend?” I ask softly as I turn off the engine. The rain creates a cozy bubble around us, drumming on the car’s roof.
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “Of course I do. I was delirious with a fever, but I remember everything. The tea you made tasted like your grandmother’s closet. The way you sang off-key just to make me laugh.”
“I wasn’t singing off-key on purpose,” I protest, feigning offense. “That was my genuine musical talent on display.”
Minji laughs, that same wild, genuine laugh from twelve years ago. If I could, I’d capture it in a jar and keep it close forever.
“Come on,” I say, reaching for her hand. “Let’s get inside before this rain gets worse.”
We hurry to the entrance, press close under my umbrella. Once inside, I lead her to the elevator, feeling every nerve come alive where her fingers are tangled with mine. It amazes me how magical this feels, Minji in my apartment on a rainy workday, both of us damp and carrying years of memories.
“You know,” I say as the elevator climbs, “I used to imagine this. Running into you again, getting a second chance.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Did your imagination include me losing a partnership and contemplating quitting my job?”
“No, but it did include you being just as stubborn and brilliant as you’ve always been.” I squeeze her hand. “Some things never change.”
The elevator doors open, and I lead her down the hallway to my apartment. I unlock the door, and she steps inside, kicking off her heels.
“It feels good to be home,” she freezes for a moment.
My heart swells at her words. Home.
“Well, make yourself comfortable,” I say, hanging up my jacket and taking hers. “I’ll get started on those turkey sandwiches.”
Minji wanders down the hallway toward my bedroom while I go to the kitchen.
Hearing the shower run makes me smile. She seems so comfortable here, and I wish she could stay forever.
There’s a quiet closeness in this—Minji showering in my bathroom while I make lunch, as if this has always been our routine instead of something new and uncertain.
The domesticity of it all hits me hard. This is what I’ve wanted since college, though I couldn’t have named it then. Just the simple pleasure of existing in the same space, knowing she feels safe enough to make herself at home.
I’m stacking turkey on sourdough when she appears, wrapped in my bathrobe, wet hair slicked back. My breath catches in my throat. Fuck, she is an absolute Goddess.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she says, gesturing to the robe. “My clothes felt like I’d been wearing them for days.”
“Mi casa es su casa,” I reply, trying to sound casual when all I want to do is cross the room and pull her into my arms. “Though that was a quick shower. You could’ve stayed in there longer.”
“I didn’t want to be inconsiderate,” she says, perching on one of my kitchen stools. “Besides, I was getting hungry.”
I slide the finished sandwich across the counter to her, watching as she takes a bite, humming with appreciation. “So,” I say, leaning against the counter. “What’s the verdict on lunch?”
“Not bad for someone who threatened me with ribs and mac and cheese,” she replies, a smile playing at her lips. “Though I’m still curious about that particular culinary skill set.”
“Oh, I wasn’t kidding about the ribs.”
Minji takes another bite, studying me. “I’d like to try them sometime.”
“How about tonight?” I suggest. “I could make a grocery run while you nap. You look exhausted, Minji.”
She starts to protest, then stops herself, shoulders sagging slightly. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s been watching you for years.” I move to stand beside her, gently tucking a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “Rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
The echo of my words from college hangs between us, and I see recognition flash in her eyes.
“You said that to me before,” she whispers. “That night during the fever.”
“And I meant it then, too.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “The bedroom's all yours. I’ll wake you in a couple of hours if you’re not up.”
She hesitates, sandwich half-eaten on her plate. “Will you…” she begins, then looks away, embarrassed by whatever she was about to ask.
“Will I what?”
“Stay with me? Just until I fall asleep.”
My heart feels full. “Of course. Just a second.” I grab a towel and come back, standing behind Minji to dry her hair. I don’t want her to get sick. I carefully towel her hair, my fingers working through the damp strands. She leans back into me, eyes half-closed, her shoulders finally relaxing.
“That feels nice,” she yawns, tilting her head to give me better access.
“I had a lot of practice with Grayson,” I say, carefully working through a small tangle. “He hated having wet hair but was too impatient to dry it properly.”
Minji reaches up and catches my wrist, her thumb stroking across my pulse point. “You never talk about your family much.”
“Not much to tell,” I reply, though that’s not entirely true. There are stories—good ones, complicated ones—but they seem distant from this moment, from us. “Maybe another time.”
When her hair is reasonably dry and she’s finished eating, I guide her toward the bedroom. She crawls under the covers, still wearing my robe, and I sit beside her on the edge of the mattress. The rain continues its steady rhythm against the windows, creating a cocoon of sound around us.
“I meant what I said earlier,” I tell her, tracing patterns on the back of her hand with my thumb. “About being here when you wake up.”
She nods, eyes already heavy with exhaustion. “I know you did. You always keep your promises.”
“Try to, at least.”
“No,” she insists, her voice soft but certain. “You do. It’s one of the things I—” She stops, biting her lip.
“One of the things you what?” I prompt gently.
“Love about you,” she finishes.
A warmth spreads through me. She’s so sleepy she might not even realize what she just said. I kiss her forehead, then her cheek, then her lips, keeping it soft and gentle. “Sleep,” I whisper against her mouth. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes flutter closed, and within minutes, her breathing evens out.
I stay, watching her chest rise and fall, memorizing the way sleep softens her features.
When I’m sure she’s truly asleep, I slip from the bed.
There are ribs to prepare, and I want everything perfect for her.
As I close the door, a smile tugs at my lips.
Twelve years is a lifetime to wait, but seeing her curled up in my bed, I know I’d wait twelve more.
Minji is the woman I loved before I even understood what love was.
In the kitchen, I pull out my phone and text my brothers.
Me
Rain check on that beer tonight. Minji’s here.
Axel
So, everything worked out? Only took her three weeks to come around.
Grayson
If she took longer, we would’ve initiated plan
‘Fake Divorce’.
Me
What?
Grayson
Em and I came up with a plan to have her and Axel be a couple on the verge of divorce, and then you would show up for the meeting instead.
Axel
That is the stupidest shit I’ve heard. Your best friend is strange.
Grayson
Em is not strange; she’s just outgoing. I thought you two had a blast at the wedding.
Axel
We didn’t. She rambles a lot, and most of the time, nothing she was saying made sense. You need to tell her that getting drunk is not a good look on her.
I put my phone away, not letting myself get caught up in their arguing.
My thoughts are on the woman sleeping in my bed.
I head to the kitchen and start gathering ingredients from the fridge and pantry.
The ribs will take hours to cook, so I have time to make everything else perfect before Minji wakes up.
As I work, I find myself humming that old High School Musical song. It’s strange how some memories stick with you and become part of who you are. That weekend when Minji was sick changed everything for me. It was then that I realized how much she meant to me. And then, I lost her.
Until now.
I’m rubbing spices into the ribs when my phone buzzes again. This time it’s Selena, my editor.
Selena
Please tell me you’re working on chapter revisions and not just staring at your girlfriend.
Me
Doing both. Multitasking is my superpower.
Selena
Your superpower is making me want to tear my hair out. Deadlines in three weeks, Aaron.
Me
I’ll have it done. Promise.
Selena
You’ve been saying that for weeks. I’m starting to worry we’ll need to push back publication.
Me
I won’t let you down. The words are flowing better than ever.
Selena
Are you adding more chapters? The edits I sent over were minor. Are you doing this so you can go back to shadowing at that law firm?
I laugh out loud.
Me
No Selena, not adding any chapters, and my shadowing days are over. I promise to have it back to you by the end of next week.
Selena
You better!!
I set my phone down and focus on cutting up the cheese for the mac and cheese. I hear a soft sound from the bedroom. I hold my breath, listening for Minji’s movements, but the apartment falls silent again. She must still be asleep.
I finish prepping the mac and cheese and slide it into the oven along with the ribs. The aroma of spices and meat will soon fill the apartment, creating that perfect welcome-home scent I want Minji to wake up to.