Lost in the fire

Chapter 16

Lisa was relieved to wake up and find Roseanne lying next to her. "So, this wasn't a dream?" she asked.

Roseanne giggled, and it was the sweetest sound Lisa had ever heard. "Not a dream, sweetheart."

"So, it's official? Roseanne Park is my girlfriend?" Even just saying those words made all of the love that Lisa felt in her heart seem to grow even more.

"Yep. And Lisa Manoban is my girlfriend." Roseanne shook her head. "If only seventeen-year-old Roseanne could see me now."

"She'd think you were crazy."

Roseanne chuckled. "Maybe I am a little crazy."

"I think we both are, and I'm pretty sure that's why this works so well."

"It looks like you finally found the person who can keep up with you."

Lisa scrunched up her face to act like she was unsure about that comment. "Maybe in life, but definitely not on the track."

Roseanne slapped her arm playfully. "Whatever. I want a rematch from our last race."

"You sure you want to risk pulling your ass muscle again?"

"To get you to shut up about it? Yes. One hundred percent."

Lisa laughed, absolutely loving this back and forth between them. It was just one of the many things she loved about Roseanne. God, it felt good to finally admit that. "You know," she said as she traced circles along Roseanne's stomach. "I had this big speech planned out before Mingyu had to go and mess everything up. I came up with it after you left my parents' house. After you spent all day there until the very end, when it was just you, me, and my mom sitting on the couch together. After the most amazing day of my entire life. I started thinking about how much I loved it that you stuck around, and I decided I was going to end my speech by telling you that I always want you to be the last to leave. Forever."

Roseanne shook her head. "It would have been a cute speech, but it just doesn't work for me. I don't want to be the last to leave. First of all, because I'm never last. Second of all, because I don't ever wanna leave you."

"Do you really mean that?" Lisa asked, feeling so fragile yet so strong all at once.

"I do. I know we haven't known each other that long—"

Lisa stuck up her pointer finger to interrupt her. "Technically, we've known each other for more than ten years."

"Okay. I know we haven't been able to stand each other long—"

"Technically, I never said I could stand you," Lisa interrupted once again.

"My God. Would you shut up and let me finish? What I'm trying to say is as crazy as it is and as nuts as you drive me, I don't think there's anyone in this world more perfect for me than you. And for that reason, I don't plan on ever letting you go."

"Good. Because there's nothing I want more than to drive you insane for the rest of our lives." Lisa looked at the clock on the nightstand, then moved on top of Roseanne. "Now, if you don't mind, we have a lot to do. We have approximately one hour of making love before we have to get ready for Jisoo and Haein's post-wedding brunch. And while we get ready, we have to figure out what to do about Mingyu that doesn't involve having to dispose of a body. How does that sound?"

Roseanne smiled. "You had me from making love, but," she maneuvered their bodies and flipped them around so Lisa was now looking up at Roseanne, "I'm always on top."

***

After a glorious morning, it was time to enact the plan they had come up with. Not only did Jisoo and Haein not mind what they were doing, but after hearing what Mingyu pulled, they wanted to be involved. Unfortunately, the plan involved spending brunch apart while Lisa schmoozed Mingyu, but since they both agreed they were in this for the long haul, Lisa figured she could make it through a forty-five-minute brunch.