Music Lovers (Taennie Version)

4

The next few days go on working in the studio together but no romantic progress is made between Jennie and Tae. They treat each other like co-workers, business associates if you will, and nothing more.

Her desire for his attention and her little crush still develops, but she acquiesces that she shouldn't do anything about it. However, the way he sits on the swivel chair in the studio, the way his fitted pants perfectly emphasize his plump behind, the way he removes his plaid shirt to get more comfortable in his white T-shirt, the way he clears his throat when he catches her watching...it is all-too-stimulating for Jennie's mind. Making music is necessary but that doesn't mean working with him is easy with her attraction to him weighing in and blurring the strictly-professional line that she doesn't dare cross.

"Dinner with Lisa?" Tae asks one evening after the end of another work session.

"Actually," Jennie starts, eyes gleaming, "I have a date tonight."

He draws his brows together and faces her completely. "A date?"

"Yeah, you know, two people, going out and spending time together. You have gone on a date before, Tae, right?"

"My personal life is none of your business...but...yes, I have." 

Jennie glances at her phone as they walk towards the door at the same time. "Oh. I really gotta go. I told Jiyoung I'd meet him at five."

Tae stops in his tracks causing her to do the same. "Not Kwon Jiyoung?"

"Yes. Why, do you know him?"

"This is a small town. We all know each other. We went to grade school together." Her jaw drops then she stifles a laugh. "So you are going on a date. A good old date. With my old friend. Sure," he mutters. "You know what? I have a date too."

Her eyes light up. "Oh? Really?"

"Yeaaah," he says, stretching the word, forcing a face to show everything is normal.

"Then why don't we get going?" she says, reaching for the door handle.

"Let's date. I mean, let's go...on these...daaates." Tae says the last word awkwardly as if it's nonsensical and illogical that she's going out with his friend.

Once he pulls the door open, they both start for the hallway at the same time, doing that dance of back and forth steps, offering the other to proceed first.

"You go," she insists.

"No, ladies first."

"Alright, I'm gonna go this way."

"You- you have- you have fun," Tae stammers as he watches Jennie leave.

~~~~~~~

Jiyoung is sitting at the first table in Dive Bar, facing the door with his hands folded like he's there with HR to fire someone. Jennie can't believe her luck. It's the guy from the coffee shop, the handsome guy before she saw Tae. Wow, this really is a small town, she thinks to herself.

"Jiyoung?" she asks, outstretching a hand.

"Jennie?" He doesn't get up.

"Yep," she says, taking her seat, hand unshaken. 

"You don't look like you're from around here."

Studying the angelic face with matching dimples and onyx gemstone eyes in front of her, she decides he doesn't either. "Didn't Fred's parents tell you I'm visiting from Seoul?"

"I thought they meant you're moving back here. So, what do you do?"

"I work in the music industry."

"No kidding! An old friend of mine is a producer for a K-pop company."