Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 13: I will Shelter You

Jimin's POV 💫

I loved the way Jae took a liking right away to Dallia. I had a feeling she would; Jae is fantastic at reading people right away. If there were two people in the world I would trust reading first impressions, it would be Jae and Taehyung. Tae has an uncanny ability to detect if someone is using us for clout within minutes of meeting them, and Jae is able to identify genuine souls immediately. Seeing Jae and Dallia hit it off makes my heart happy, as if it reconfirms my feelings that Dallia is a good person.

Jungkook and I sat on the opposite side of the booth from the ladies, and we watched as these two fantastic women chatted away. It was the first time I could see Dallia's shoulders truly relax since I first met her. She looked happy, her dark hair falling around her shoulders and a glass of wine in her hand, as Jae tells stories about how she and Lily met when they were kids and have been best friends ever since.

"I can see why you like her," Jungkook's voice comes out barely above a whisper while the women giggle over a shared joke and happily chat away.

"I never said that," I reply quietly, but when I turn, catching Jungkook's eye, he shakes his head at me.

"You don't have to say the words. She's wonderful, just like my Jae. Sometimes you just know, Jimin. Don't be foolish," he takes a small sip of his wine, being careful not to drink too much with dinner, knowing he has precious cargo to drive home at the end of the night. "Dallia's special. Be sure to cherish her."

I smirk at him, but my heart is pounding so loudly in my ears that I feel like the entire table might notice it. My body is almost buzzing with adrenaline, knowing that Jungkook thinks I'm being foolish, and I rub the back of my neck for a moment, trying to relax.

When dinner comes, we partake in a delicious meal, and I learn all about Dallia via the questions Jae asks, and I can't help but be fascinated. In return, it's so refreshing that Dallia doesn't seem interested in asking questions about BTS. Instead, she asks thoughtful questions about our childhoods, our favorite subjects in school, and whether we have siblings. She tells funny little stories about growing up with Binna and about her college years. Dallia shares how she fell into starting her own business, and it feels so...so normal.

After dinner, we say our goodbyes in front of our vehicles. Jae grabs me in tightly for a hug and whispers in my ear, "She's the real deal; don't let her get away!" I blush from the tip of my toes all the way up to the top of my ears. Jungkook knows me so well, and we truly have grown up together, but hearing Jae agree with his assessment of the situation -her words burrow deep into my soul, and I can't help but take them to heart.

As we drive home, I put on some music, Ray LaMontagne's Shelter plays softly in the background, and I glance over at Dallia, seeing her mouthing the words as her head sways softly with the music; she seems content. "Did you have a good time?"

"Oh, Jimin! I had the best time. Thank you for inviting me! Jae was so nice, oh my gosh, and I can't believe how kind Jungkook is as well." she gushes, and I smile with a wide grin because I can tell the wine has left her just as loose-lipped as it had done to Jae.

"Don't forget me," I sass in an attempt to gauge how she feels about my company as well.

"Of course, Jimin! You truly are the best. Such a good student, and dare I say becoming a true friend?"

My heart stutters when she calls me a "friend," but I quickly brush the feeling away. "Yes, dare away!" I flirt a bit to see how she will react, and she giggles as she watches the buildings go by in the darkness as I drive her home.

When we get to her place, I put the car in park and reach over to the glove box, but my arm brushes against her knees by accident, and even though there is a thin layer of fabric leaving a barrier between us, I still feel the butterflies flip in my stomach. "Sorry about that. I just need a mask," I mutter, then I open the center console and grab my favorite denim hat from its hiding place.