6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Young Jae
E lise hops out of the car, grabbing the pie she made earlier before leading the way to Adeline’s door.
Our outing today felt different—there was no limit on the time we spent together, and it felt weird going home with her instead of parting ways. I’m not sure what’s changing, but it’s leaving me unsettled.
The door opens, and Adeline greets us. “Come on in! Dinner is just about ready.”
Her two huge dogs, Kane and Stella, sit at attention behind her. I scratch their heads as we pass, following her through the house.
The home is beautiful, a testament to the hard work she and Owen did last year. My lips twitch when I think about how much he used to complain about her and here they are in love and living together.
“I hope you don’t mind we kept it simple. Steak, twice baked potatoes, and Greek salad.” Adeline grabs wine glasses as Owen comes up from the basement with a bottle of wine. “We thought we would eat outside. It’s such a beautiful evening.”
“Sounds delicious. I brought peach pie for dessert.” We follow them outside, Adeline’s deck is a work of art. It’s two-tiered and set up for entertaining.
A fire is lit in the firepit and candles glow from lanterns all around the deck. We head to the table under the pergola, where the food is laid out under covers, and even more candles are lit.
It all feels very date-like, especially with the unsubtle glances exchanged between Adeline and Owen as they sit on the same side of the table. Their transparent attempt at matchmaking is comical, but little do they know that Elise doesn’t feel that way about me.
I ignore the rush I get when I pull the seat out for Elise, the way she accidentally brushes against me as she goes to sit. Maybe I’ve been single for too long, I’ve noticed these feelings coming up a lot in the past year, and I chalked it up to just appreciation for her, but the heat is growing harder to ignore.
Sitting beside her, I gratefully accept a glass of wine and take a sip, my thoughts chaotic, as Adeline and Elise talk about some upcoming girls’ trip.
Elise has always been the woman where the timing isn’t right and by now we’ve established too much of a friendship to risk, but part of me seems to be forgetting that. It has been a while since I’ve had any sort of meaningful connection. My heart is just getting confused with having her around so much more and in more intimate spaces.
That doesn’t explain the masquerade ball. The little voice in my head taunts. That night was something else. Holding her in my arms as we danced. It felt right, like home.
Taking a sip of wine, I shove my thoughts into the Elise box and focus on the meal and my friends.
“How are you feeling now that it’s been a week since you moved out of Jake’s and in with Young Jae?” Adeline asks as she cuts her steak.
Elise smiles, her fingers playing with the stem of her wine glass. “I’m happy. I didn’t realize just how much anxiety I had going home and how much of my limited free time I spent cleaning up after Jake.”
She looks at me, her expression warm. “You’re a very considerate roommate.”
Grinning, I look at our friends. “I have to admit, I am knocking it out of the park. Considering I’ve never lived with anyone except my family before.”
They laugh and Elise tells them about how I surprised her by getting her books set up and how much she enjoys having Kimchi to snuggle.
“I feel bad though, because I know I wake you up almost every morning, no matter how quiet I try to be.” She looks at me, the guilt clear on her face.
Shaking my head, I lie, “Nah, you’re good.”
The reality is, she does. I’m not used to having the extra noise in my house and Kimchi scratches on my door after she leaves. Most mornings I’m able to fall back asleep, but it’s definitely been a growing pain.
After dinner, we move to the fire, pie in hand.
By the time we leave, Elise is yawning and I’m grateful tomorrow is her day off. We both need a good night’s sleep.
***
Eyeing my phone, I pick it up and call my mom. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about retiring. Actually if I’m being honest, I’ve been avoiding it.
“Young Jae? Gwaenchana?” She asks if I’m okay since I rarely call her during the workday.
“Gwaenchana. I just had a moment before a meeting and realized I haven’t checked in for a while. How are you and Appa doing?” I ease in, hoping to butter her up.
“Busy. Things at the inn are steady, which is good. Otherwise, everything is the same. Jamsiman.” She covers the mouthpiece and starts talking rapidly. I’m assuming to Appa based on what little I pick up.
When she comes back on the line, I finally bite the bullet. “Have you and Appa thought about slowing down? I think it would be nice for the two of you to spend time relaxing. Besides, Ari has her business management degree. She’s ready to step up.”
Silence. That’s all that comes over the phone before she starts ranting at me.
“Relax? Why would I need to relax? Ari hasn’t been running this inn for fifteen years. She’s been full-time for two. She’s not ready.” Her voice is sharp, that unbending tone she’s always had.
“Eomma, that’s not fair to Ari. She’s been working at the inn just as long as you in some capacity. She is ready and she doesn’t need ten more years of being sidelined to do a good job. Her ideas are good—”
“Aigoo. My children. No appreciation for the hard work we’ve done. We will retire when it’s time. I don’t want to hear of it again.” She hangs up, leaving me slack-jawed.
Ari was right. Talking to her about retirement is like stepping on a land mine. Kaboom.
I leash Kimchi to walk her before my meeting, checking my phone as it starts buzzing with texts from Ari.
I’m sorry, Oppa. I really thought she might be more receptive.
Chuckling, I type back.
She will come around. We can try again another day, maybe six months down the road.
She sends an exasperated GIF back. Smirking, I finish my walk and head home for an afternoon of meetings.
***
Shutting down my laptop, I lean back in my chair. Kimchi takes it as an invitation to sit on my lap.
“Well, damn.” I scratch her ears, still amazed at how that meeting went.
My office door cracks open, Elise peeking in with a fresh pot of coffee in hand. “Well damn, what?”
“That was the head of municipal development for Thistle Creek. They are restoring the grain elevator and want me to design the inside. They’re going to turn it into a museum, art gallery, and library all in one.” I can barely contain the excitement in my voice. These are the projects I live for.
I hold out my mug, grateful for a top up.
“Incredible.” She holds her hand up for a high-five, which I give her. “I’ve never been to Thistle Creek. If you want company on a scouting mission, I am happy to go with you.”
Leaning back in my chair, I grin. “I do need to head out there. It can wait until next Monday, so let’s go then. We can make a day of it.”
She sets the coffee pot on my desk, scoops Kimchi out of my lap, and dances around with her. “It’s a plan.”
We laugh as the dog wriggles out of Elise’s arms onto the floor, crouching down and wagging her stumpy tail.
Her excited wriggle turns into barking when the doorbell rings.
“You answer the door, and I will put the coffee away.” Standing, I head to the kitchen with the dishes I accumulated during the day and start tidying up.
Elise lets out an excited scream and Kimchi starts barking even more. Rushing to the front door, I halt when I see her throwing herself into the arms of my older brother.
It’s been about nine months since I last saw him and he looks exactly the same, maybe a bit more tired.
Despite being four years older than me, some days I feel like the more grounded one.
His eyes dance with humor as he looks up at me. My body feels tight as he hugs Elise and swings her around. He smirks at me as he sets her down, tucking her into his side.
Striding over, I resist the urge to pull her out of his arms. “This is a surprise.”
His brows raise, his grin knowing as he releases Elise from his grasp. “A good one I hope.”
I can’t stop the smile as I hug my brother. “Always.”
“Come in! Come in!” Elise moves back, scooping Kimchi into her arms and making her way to the kitchen. “There’s some fresh coffee in the pot. Do you still like it black?”
Ji Hoon calls out an affirmative before turning to me and lowering his voice. “There’s lots you haven’t been telling me.”
Shutting the door as he comes in, I glare at him. “You’re one to talk. I had to hear through Ari that you’re moving back. And endure her gloating about it.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” He points down the hall, where we can hear Elise talking to Kimchi. “Elise is here looking pretty cozy, and you have a dog!”
He follows me into the living room as Elise joins us, handing my brother a mug of coffee.
“Her name is Kimchi, and he kept her from me too.” She winks at me.
“For like two hours.” My protest is buried as Elise sits between me and Ji Hoon, continuing their conversation as though I’m not there.
“And Young Jae is kindly letting me stay here while I look for a place.” She crosses her legs, leaning back into the couch. “My ex-boyfriend was kind of a dud. And I finally had enough. But you know how Willowbrook Lake is. It’s not abundant in its rental housing.”
Ji Hoon laughs. “Do I ever. I’m staying with Eomma and Appa. It’s why Liam isn’t here yet. He’s wrapping some things up while I find us a place.”
“If you’re buying, Raelynn is a real estate agent. She’s down to part-time but is still amazing,” Elise suggests.
He hums. “Yeah, maybe. I was able to save a good amount of money and we borrowed what we need for the auto shop. What do you think of the name Wheel Be All Right ?”
She laughs. “I love it.”
“I agree, it’s clever,” I chime in.
“Construction on the shop starts in a month, until then I just need to keep Mom and Dad off my back about finding a wife.” Ji Hoon cringes. “Mom asked if Liam and I are more than friends and said it was okay. Very progressive of her, but super awkward.”
We laugh. My parents want happiness for all of us, but I know they wish we would all settle down. I fear they’re going to add more pressure on Ari, being the youngest.
“What made you move back here to set up shop?” Elise asks, stifling a yawn.
“We know that Willowbrook Lake prefers locally owned shops to franchises, and there hasn’t been a functioning mechanic shop in town for close to eight years. When Liam and I decided to open our own instead of working for someone else, we thought we’d have a better chance here. Fill a gap where it’s needed. And I wanted to be close to family again. Besides, Liam is tired of living in the city. He has his own reasons. It just worked out.” His passion is obvious when he talks about it, but what sticks out most is the sense of sadness when talking about being close to family again.
I had no idea he was having a hard time being away from us.
“Well, I know we’re all thrilled to have you close to home again.” I’m emphatic, trying to show how much I missed him without getting too sappy.
One side of his lips tilt up, the smallest hint of gratitude.
As we chat, Elise dozes off. Kimchi snuggled into the curve of her stomach.
Standing, I grab a blanket and cover her.
“So, how is it living with the woman you’ve been pining for the last decade and a half?” He smirks at me.
“I haven’t been pining for her,” I grumble.
Ji Hoon scoffs. “Sure. And I won’t be a bachelor forever.”
Sighing, I glance at her. “Honestly, it’s a little confusing. She walks around in these tiny yoga shorts and oversized T-shirts. It’s unexpectedly hot. And it’s just nice having her here. I thought those feelings were gone, but I guess I was lying to myself.”
He’s the one person I would actually talk to about this because Ji Hoon never presses or pushes you in any one direction. It’s honestly surprising he hasn’t found the one yet and is so determined to stay single, because he would make someone an amazing partner.
“It sounds a little confusing. But I know you will figure it out. The two of you have a special friendship.” He claps his hand on my shoulder.
Ji Hoon visits until late. He leaves and I feel like we’ve finally been able to truly catch up in a way I didn’t know I needed.
After locking up and letting Kimchi out to do her business, I ponder her curled up in an awkward position.
“I can’t leave her like this,” I say to Kimchi, who gives me a judgemental look for even contemplating it. Grabbing her phone from the table, I stuff it in my pocket before bending down, I scoop her into my arms as gingerly as I can. She works harder than most people I know. I haven’t pressed about the position she posted, but I do hope she hires someone soon.
She sighs, tucking into me, and my heart leaps. It shouldn’t feel this good to have her in my arms.
Steeling myself, I climb the stairs and tuck her into her bed. Kimchi jumps up, curling behind her legs and passing out right along with Elise.
Taking her phone, I plug it into the charger. The screen lights up and I see a message from Jake come in.
Scowling, I put her phone onto do not disturb mode and leave her room. The dude is persistent, but it shouldn’t have taken her leaving for him to realize what he had. He never appreciated her and the fact that he isn’t respecting her peace now infuriates me.
If he doesn’t back off soon, we’re going to have a chat.