Unexpected

Part 6

The meal went smoothly, considering that I don't like to eat in front of people I'm not comfortable with. I found something healthy to eat, he didn't try to feed me (thank goodness), and we talked about activities that we wanted to do together. I was trying to read him off camera, if he would be annoyed if I contacted him or ignore my texts, but I wasn't sure what he was like. Either he was similar on and off camera, or he was still on "public mode." But we had to part ways, and I waved goodbye and drove off as he rode with his manager to their hotel. Since it's winter training time, I spend a couple hours at the gym before heading home.

Taiga all but pounces on me when I come in the door. "Tell me all about it!" she declares.

I laugh, stooping down to take off my shoes. "Let's make some tea and take it to my room, where I'll tell you everything your little heart desires."

After I'm in pajamas on my bed, with a hot cup of blackcurrant tea, I tell her how it went, with me being tricked into finding out which one it was, and then our drive and meal. "Any questions?"

"Lots! But I'll try to contain myself. First, I was surprised it was Snuper."

I nod. "After what you told me, so was I. But I think they wanted to capitalize on both our popularity at the moment, but only had room for one couple, so they chose the member that matched best with me."

"So, Sangil. I don't know much about him. What's he like?"

"It's difficult to say. Is he really like what he showed today? How much of that was for the camera? Like you warned me earlier, he could be a completely different person in his private life. But if I judge based on what I saw, then I'd say he's quiet and kind."

"Sounds perfect for you," says Taiga. "Are there plans for next time yet?"

"No, although we did talk about that. In my interview I was told that when the season starts, many times we'll be filming after the races on Sunday evening and on Monday. I think Nissan proposed this, to get more exposure for the team. It'll be exciting to do things around the world. I'm going to look at attractions in the cities where Grand Prix are held. But before that we have two months here and in Korea. And something I want to do next time is take a love language quiz."

"Didn't you already do that? Are you sure you want the world to know that you like physical touch?"

"Maybe it's changed!" I snap. "But if it didn't, how am I going to tell him that? And what can we do?"

"Hold hands. Hug. Kisses are probably out of the question. If you're sitting together, he can put his arm around you. Although you'd prefer that you were touching from shoulder to knee," she giggles.

"Oh hush," I say. "I think in a month or so, kisses on the forehead or cheek should be okay."

"If you're lucky, his love language will be physical touch, too. And then you can go crazy!" She is really laughing now.

I let her get it out of her system before bringing up something serious. "Taiga, you know that I'm moving next week. To be close to the factory so that we can build a competitive midfield car. It's only about an hour away by bullet train, but this is the first time I'll be away from home for more than a couple weeks. I hope it all goes well, but I know I'll be lonely. I'm used to our huge family. Adulting can be un-fun. Promise you'll visit me in the first month."

"Of course."

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