Misbehavior

Chapter 17 - M

HANNI

Letting Minji Kim push me into corners and whisper into my ear right under the noses of everyone around us was going to get me into trouble.

And her.

She had a lot to lose, too.

So why wasn't I ending it?

I was standing in the middle of a burning room, daring myself to stay as long as possible before it was time to run.

"Are you ready?"

Hyunjin looked over the hood at me, straightening his navy blue and pink polka-dot tie over his pink pin-striped shirt. Not many men would brave such a color, but New Orleans men were a different animal, and it looked good on him. Especially with his matching navy blue slacks.

I smiled lazily. "Ready for what?" I asked, glancing at Danielle as she climbed out of the back of Hyunjin's Jeep.

Minji had said I could bring a friend, and I thought it would be more comfortable – or comforting – to have backup when I knew Hyunjin was going to spend his afternoon schmoozing.

"Are you ready for the party?" Hyunjin repeated. "You're Miss Antisocial-Constantly-Uncomfortable-Wants-to-Be-Home-Instead-of-at-a-Party-Ever, so I guess I shouldn't worry, right?"

His lips were spread from ear to ear, pleased with his own assessment of me, and I just rolled my eyes.

"Ah." Danielle spoke up, smoothing down her sleeveless knee-length peach dress. "So it's not just me. She's always difficult."

She shot me a joking glare as she put her hands on her hips and grinned.

Apparently she thought we were close enough to insult each other in good humor.

I cocked an eyebrow. "Just because I don't bounce around like I'm in a Skittles commercial doesn't mean I'm difficult."

And I walked off, hearing their snorts behind me as they followed.

I almost went for the side door, next to the covered driveway, but I caught myself just in time, remembering I had to keep up the pretense that I'd never been here and most guests wouldn't use that door. Of course, my brother was informed about how close Kim and I had gotten, but that didn't mean I could be careless.

Before we even reached the front door, though, it opened, a butler I hadn't seen before greeting us.

"Good afternoon."

"Hello." I nodded, taking a few steps into the entryway and stopping.

Danielle and Hyunjin strolled in behind me, and the sunlight fanning across the floor slowly fell away as the door closed.

I inhaled and instantly dipped my head, trying to hide the smile caused by the flutters in my stomach. I loved her smell, and I suddenly realized my new favorite place was being curled up in her sheets, where that scent covered me.

"Ms. Pham," I heard a voice say from above.

I looked up, seeing Luca descend the dark hardwood stairs with one hand on the cast-iron railing, and I immediately felt a light layer of sweat break out on my forehead.

Yes, this was definitely inappropriate. I shouldn't have come.

"I didn't know you'd be here." He looked at me quizzically as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Yeah, I shouldn't be, should I?

I forced a smile, taking him in. I was glad to see I hadn't over- or underdressed.