Doctor Kim

Chapter 18

There weren't words to describe how awesome Joven was live, but getting to see them with Minji beside me? That was magical.

During the slow acoustic part of their set, when the stage lighting was subdued, everyone turned on their flashlight apps on their phones and swayed to the rhythm. Like lighters, but it bathed the arena in silvery light. It was intimate and beautiful, and I snuck a glance at Minji.

The sharp lines of her face were exaggerated with shadows, but she was perfect like that, all beautiful and carefree. We had to look like the strangest couple ever under the artificial haze, but I didn't feel strange beside her.

It just felt right.

And then Joven neared the end of the concert, and I loved how the bass reverberated through my body. I moved with the crowd as the music built. Hands were thrown in the air as people joined in, the music working everyone into a frenzy, especially the floor section where we stood. Even Minji was swept up in the energy.

As the band hit the climax, gold confetti burst from cannons, filling the air, and the crowd roared their approval. I screamed against the impossibly loud sound, grinning madly as I watched the confetti slowly flutter down, catching glints of light as it fell. My gaze snagged Minji's, and I found her wearing the same wide smile I had.

It was a perfect moment—one I knew I'd remember forever, no matter what happened to us. The way she looked back at me, it seemed as if she was thinking the same thing. It made my heart clog into my throat.

I didn't hear the crowd as they thundered and cried out at the end of the song. Everything faded from my ears as she set a hand on my cheek, tilted my head toward her, and sealed her mouth over mine.

No one would notice us in a sea of eighteen thousand people, especially when the strips of gold were still raining down, landing on our heads and shoulders. So, the kiss she gave me was safe, but—oh, it wasn't. Her seductive, passionate kiss was incredibly dangerous. It left me feeling adrift and like she was the only thing I could cling to.

I told her I wasn't going to be anyone's possession, but maybe I'd been wrong. Because this kiss? It owned me.

"Stay with me tonight," she shouted in my ear, over the sound of fans screaming for an encore.

When I'd bought the tickets, the plan had been I'd crash at Danielle's place after the concert was over. I hadn't told my mom that had changed, so she wasn't expecting me until tomorrow morning. And although I hadn't gotten the invite from Minji until now, I'd prepared for it. I'd packed an overnight bag, tossed it in my passenger seat, and parked my car outside Danielle's house.

Just in case, she'd lectured me earlier today, the opportunity presents itself.

She peered at me with a hopeful expression, waiting on my answer, and when I nodded quickly, a thrill shot through me. I'd never really spent the night with anyone. Sure, I'd slept over in Jay's room a few times in college, but it was on a futon, and his roommate was there. It wasn't the same. This was how adults did it, and I was eager for Minji to see me as an equal.

Our Uber driver was a nice guy, but so talkative, Minji and I could barely get two words in edge-wise once we crawled into the back seat. My phone vibrated in my purse, and I dug it out.

Minji: Want to go for a midnight swim?

I grinned and thumbed out a response. Meanwhile, the driver continued to tell us his thoughts about the Titans' chances in the upcoming football season.

Hanni: What if I didn't pack a swimsuit?

I stared at Minji across the darkened back seat, and her expression left me breathless. She looked wickedly sexy, even as her gaze dropped down to the glowing phone in her hands.