Before you disappear

Chapter 57

"I'm sorry."

It was the only thing he could think of to say. He'd been scolded before for being too rash, but that never stopped him from going after what he wanted. He knew the people who mattered would forgive him eventually, and the people who don't, well, they didn't matter that much to him anyway.

But with her... He wasn't sure.

And it made him painfully aware of the fact that he really didn't know her that well and that his actions today might've made it even more difficult to get to know her.

"For what?"

Her voice was just a whisper, but it held so much.

"For making you nervous."

She glanced up at him, blinking. Her cheeks were a little red, as if she'd run a few miles. Yet her breathing was shallow.

Seeing her eyes darting down and up to meet his eyes once more, made his heart flutter.

"Do you apologize to every girl who gets nervous around you?"

It was meant as a joke, he knew that much. But he also instantly realized she had a point.

"No, only to those who mean something to me."

Her eyes widened slightly as they locked with his.

That same magnetic pull he'd experienced upon meeting her first, came back. That almost irresistible feeling of wanting to come closer. Of wanting to kiss her.

But this time she didn't say anything.

And Jungkook wasn't sure if he could. Back then, he had a reason to kiss her. She'd let him, because she too wanted them to switch into their own bodies. She had accepted his kiss back then.

Would she accept it right now? When there wasn't a real reason for it?

He loosened his hand around hers, partially expecting her to slide her fingers between his, like she had done back then.

Instead, she took her hand back and held it against her belly, placing her other hand on top. In the same movement, she tore her gaze away from him and looked down at her hands.

Nerves?

He swallowed hard. Whatever it was, now was not the right time.

A knock on the door, startled her and she jumped up. "I-I'll go see who it is," she said, dashing out of sight before Jungkook could say anything.

The moment apart gave him time to gather his thoughts. He knew the effect he had on women, especially ARMY. And he knew he was her bias. So, he needed to approach this with caution. Just because he had the feeling of wanting to kiss her, didn't mean he had to. She could get the wrong idea when his feeling was maybe just a fleeting one. He wasn't yet sure about her so perhaps it was best that he hadn't followed up on it. When he asked her to come here, his intention was to get to know her. And let her get to know him. He was more than just Jungkook from BTS and he needed her to see that before anything could happen between them.

He rubbed his eyes wearily as the memory of their kiss resurfaced. If only his heart could listen to these words in his head and stop beating so harshly against his ribs.

"Dinner's here."

He looked up as she came back into the room, pushing a kitchen cart.

"I'm rather hungry, how about you?" She smiled at him, before lifting one of the plate covers just a bit and leaning closer to take in the smell of food. "Oooh, it smells so good!"