unrivaled

chapter 17

Jimin steered Dae toward his table and away from Jin. 

They had made an impressive entrance with assured coverage in most news outlets in the next hour.  Work was over.  It was time for fun. 

He snagged 2 flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and passed one to Dae to celebrate.

The room was overly warm and the volume was increasing with each round of drinks served.

Dae stopped after one.  She did not enjoy drinking in large crowds.  Plus, with Jimin casually resting his arm across the back of her chair and Jin staring at them, she had really started to get nervous.

Thankfully dinner was soon announced and everyone moved to their respective tables.

Dae watched Jin's every move across the room.  She did not miss the way his hair brushed the collar of his shirt or how tight his jacket stretched across his broad shoulders and was then tailored to his slim waist.  She could not help but notice his long easy strides as he moved. 

Her heart dropped as she watched him reach the chair next to Alex and drop into it with easy grace.  Those crimson nails reached to clutch his arm and Dae cursed under her breath.

Jin hated artificial nails. Up until this second she would have said he hated artificial people, but he looked at home with Alex wrapped around him.

A sound to her left drew her attention away from Jin.  As she turned, she saw Jimin moving his seat closer to her and squeezing in 2 late arrivals to the table.

As he caught her eye he smiled and Dae felt it to her toes.  He always could melt her with that smile.  It was genuine and full of joy and aimed directly at her.  Years of watching that smile and she still was not immune to it. 

She smiled back, reaching and squeezing his hand.

“Every woman in this room is jealous of me right now!” she whispered. “Wishing they were your date tonight.”

“No love,” he replied, his voice more husky than usual, “I am the one who will be fighting off every man who looks at you.  You are beautiful and I am glad you are next to me tonight.”

Waiters interrupted them, placing laden plates in front of them and offering crystal glasses of wine or water.

Dinner was delicious and the conversation at their table was lively and filled with laughter.

Dae caught herself looking for Jin several times.  Each time Alex was close, subtly staking her claim, or trying to.  Dae could tell Jin was growing increasingly irritated and Alex was not picking up on that or did not care.

As soon as the after dinner drinks began Jin was moving back toward the far end of her table with Yoongi and Hoseok.  The three of them looked prepared to settle in for a good drunk. 

Dae shook her head at them.

As the music began, she was delighted to see JungKook and Lyra among the first on the floor.  He looked stunning and her dress was perfect.  They danced so well together.

She was content to just watch until a favorite song from college played and Tae and Jimin were standing on either side of her instantly.

She laughed and allowed them to pull her to the dance floor.  The three of them moved in unison, memories taking them back and reminding them of all the time they had spent together.

The crowd cleared a space for them and was soon cheering them on.  Dae laughed and danced, feeling the heat of exertion and the flush of sheer joy creep up her neckline to her cheeks.