radiant | jung hoseok | ✓

chapter twelve | salted caramel latte

I am seated between Hobi and Jin with a clear path to the delicious ribs with their fresh coating of spicy sauce and seasonings. The smell of the feast perfumes the air of the home and swirls in my mind, teasing my hunger. Everything from the ramen, to the large salad, to the ribs, to the various side dishes causes my mouth to water with anticipation.

"Let's make a toast," Namjoon prompts, lifting his glass of espresso and bourbon into the air. The light on the ceiling reflects through the brown liquid turning it into shades of topaz and caramel.

Everybody follows suit and raises their glasses into the air for the toast. Hobi lifts his glass and makes secret eye contact with me and it sends butterflies through my chest once again.

"For our new friend, and co-worker, Finley!" He makes eye contact with me and offers me a soft smile, "May our time together be filled with laughter and happiness."

I lift my glass to him and smile in return, "Cheers!"

We clink our glasses together before taking a drink of our old-fashioned coffee. The bite of lemon peel enters my mouth first, followed by the smokey tone of the bourbon. I taste the pure espresso behind the full taste of the alcohol and it's enough to satisfy my coffee cravings.

I glance up from the rim of my glass and notice Taehyung grimacing. He lowers his glass from his lips and casts Jungkook a look of pain. He coughs shortly and wipes his mouth with the edge of his sleeve.

Hobi notices as well and speaks before me. "Aw Taeyungie, is it too bitter for you?" he asks with a note of concern. "You don't have to drink all of it."

"You don't like alcohol?" I ask him.

Taehyung's eyes lock with mine with sudden anger. His expression shifts in a mere second and I feel my stomach twist with internal panic.

Did I say something wrong?

Jimin catches the dark look and elbows him in the ribs. He casts Taehyung a warning look. "He prefers fruit-flavored drinks," Jimin answers on his behalf, "but no, he doesn't typically like hard liquor. Or straight coffee."

Immediately, I think of his orders at the cafe and remember that he tended to pick sugary or fruit-based drinks with the least amount of coffee in them.

No wonder he hates this drink. Even if his dark look hurt my feelings, I should be more understanding towards him. He doesn't like it, and that's fine. It has nothing to do with me, just my choice of drink.

I smile apologetically, "Sorry Taehyung."

Taehyung maintains intense eye contact with me before scoffing to himself. He shakes his head and stands up from the table. He walks back to the fridge and starts poking around it, his face hidden by the fridge door.

"Hey Finley, would you like some?" Jin speaks up, offering me a bowl of rice.

I nod hurriedly, trying to brush off the offense. "Yes, of course. Thank you, Jin."

Around the table, the boys continue to serve themselves and each other. They take from the main dishes on the table and portion them out to everybody. It reminds me of Thanksgiving dinner but it looks like they always serve their meals in this way.

Yoongi drinks the rest of his cup and looks at Hobi, then at me. "This was really good," he compliments.

Jimin's eyes light up at the sound of Yoongi's compliment. "Whoaa," he gasps, "you got a compliment out of him!" he exclaims.

The others laugh and glance over at Yoongi with growing smiles.

Hobi's body jerks and he clutches at his heart dramatically, "Ack!" He bursts into laughter and grins at Yoongi from across the table, "Such a rare event!"