CATALYST

TRAVIS

"I woke up thinking about him. I'd fallen asleep thinking about him too.

But that was only natural, right? I was wearing the guy's clothes, sleeping under his roof, completely in awe of his generosity. It was gratitude, that was all. I was just really, really grateful. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was so fucking hot, and it didn't matter anyway, because he was straight.

Except I couldn't stop wondering about the way he'd looked at me after my shower last night. I'd come back into the bedroom with pants on, but the way he'd stared at my body made me feel like maybe I'd forgotten them. I'd had to look down and double-check. In that moment, the attraction between us had seemed unmistakable. But he'd rushed out of the room so quickly afterward, I wasn't sure.

しっかりして "Shikkari shite" Travis. Get back to your senses! Stop imagining things. Even if David was gay, which he isn't, why would he be interested in you?

He wouldn't. Because he could have anyone he wanted. Someone as smart and sexy and successful as he was. Someone professional. Someone mature. Someone with a university education, a beautiful house, and a Ferrari in his garage—maybe two. That's the guy he would want, and the guy he would deserve. Not some scrappy Japanese immigrant who wasn't even sure where his next meal was going to come from.

And anyway, I had enough to do today without getting distracted by David . I grabbed my phone to see if Jake had texted or called and saw that I had voicemail from him.

       I played it, putting the phone to my ear. "Hey dude, it's Jake. I'm trying to get ahold of you but your phone keeps sending me to voicemail. You're probably on your way here already. Anyway, my car broke down in the suburb and I'm stuck here for another day or two until I get it repaired. Sorry I won't be able to pick you up at the airport, but you can get a cab and go straight to the apartment. It's in Guryong District in Gangnam, and I'll text you the address. My friend Justin lives there and he's expecting you. He's also the guy to ask about jobs for cash. I'll send his contact info. Sorry again about not picking you up, hope you arrive okay. Bye."

      I checked my messages and saw that Jake had texted an address and shared contact info for someone named Justin Park. I quickly texted Justin that I was Jake's friend who had rented the apartment
and wanted to move in today. I also inquired about any immediate jobs for cash. I'd spoken to my mother last night, and after she'd freaked out over what had happened to me (and demanded to know if David was handsome), she'd promised to wire my savings to me as soon as the bank opened on Monday. Hopefully, Justin would have some work that would get me through the next couple days.

      I set my phone down and opened the nightstand drawer, hoping to find a pen. Of course, there was a pen. And a notepad, and a book light, and a book of matches. David should run a hotel or something, I thought. He's so good at this. But he's probably good at his real job too. He's probably good at everything.

       Sitting up against the headboard, I opened the notebook to a blank page and wrote down everything about him I remembered from last night as well as how I'd felt sitting across from him. After filling up an entire page, I closed the notebook and put it back on the nightstand.

      Rolling out of bed, I pulled on my jeans from yesterday, and the clean shirt and socks he'd given me. I'd never worn another man's clothes. It was strangely intimate, which was exactly what I'd wanted, of course. I felt guilty again. Stop thinking about him that way.

      I made the bed and left the pants I'd slept in neatly folded at the foot. In the bathroom, I used the toothbrush and toothpaste he'd left for me once more and wet my hair a little.