The next morning, I wake up determined to show Minho what I'm capable of. But when I glance out the window, all those intentions melt away.
Why does the paddock have to be so close to my window...and what right does Jisung have to look that sexy this early in the morning? But I can't get caught up in my old crush, Minho would disown me. If anything ever happened with Jisung. I just need to focus on work. That'll distract me. Beside, Minho probably has a mile long to-do list waiting. Time to show him I'm here to get things done!
I dress quickly, splash some water on my face, then set off for the paddock. Inside the paddock, I find Minho leading a year-old foal with a rope so taut, it pulls at the animal's head.
"No, no, no, this way..." Minho shouts.
"Minho! Jisung's not with you?"
"Nah, he's probably just finishin' up mendin' one of the fences. I'll have you two team up on some tasks later."
Hopefully much later, my 'work hard' strategy is going to be harder to pull off if I'm distracted by Jisung all day.
"Hey, Minho? That foal seems a little anxious."
I think back to that day in the paddock, lead-training a filly for my first time. I remember Jisung's words to me then...
FLASHBACK
"When she thinks of you, you wanna be sure she only ever thinks of good things..."
PRESENT DAY
"Why don't you give the lead rope some slack. You want him to want to come to you. If you try to force it, he'll resist. He doesn't know any better."
"No offense, but this is the way Dad taught me. It's the way I've always done it. No need to go...and reinvent...the damned wheel, here..."
"Let me try? For old time's sake. This is the sort of thing I've missed doing the most."
"Another time, Pip. This foal has real potential. Better to leave him to me. I'll find you later."
"In that case, I'm taking Agusga for a ride. She needs to be exercised, right?"
He nods, still tugging. With effort, I keep my face calm and head to the stables. When I arrive, I notice that the door to the larger paddock is open. I look through it and see...
"Alright buddy, fast, just like we practiced."
Jisung's mounted on a spirited looking young stallion, hands tight on the reins. In a flash, they're off, weaving between the barrels at breakneck speed.
Wow! I've never seen anyone ride the barrels that fast!
In an instant, they're back to the starting point. Grinning, Jisung pats the horses neck. The horse rears in excitement. As they finish, I approach.
"Hey, Jisung. What're you up to?"
"Just givin' this fella a little exercise."
"Looks more like you're fooling around. Better not let Minho catch you. I got an earful on helpfulness already."
"Trust me, I can handle your brother. Anyway, this here's my area of expertise. Just like book learning is yours."
"So let's play to our strengths. Teach me something new. What's so appealing about this horse in particular?"
Jisung takes a moment to decide if You're serious, then nods, seemingly satisfied.
"This horse is young, but he's got good instincts. Little more training and he'll fetch a real good price. Anyway...you need somethin' from me?"
"Nope. I was just planning to give Agusga a little exercise. Maybe muck a few stalls first."
Seriously? What's a girl gotta do to show she's useful around here?
I trudge back to the stable to take Agusga for a ride, apparently the only task on my plate for the morning... After, I head back to the house for lunch.
"There she is. Thought maybe you fell asleep out in the barn. Now you're here, why not make yourself useful and rustle up some sandwiches?"
Minho turns to his paper and annoyance flares through me, but then I'm hit with a memory from just after our parents died, one I hadn't thought of in years...
FLASHBACK
Minho's head is in his hands, his shoulders slumped under a weight of worry.
"I don't know what to do, Jisung. How am I gonna keep it all together on my own?"
"Maybe (Y/N) can do some chores before school? It'll be easier to make ends meet if you have an extra pair of hands."
"No way. Mom and Dad wanted her to go to college. I can't risk her education. I have to step up and run this place on my own."
"Sure, I get it. But for the record, they wanted you to go to college, too."
"Maybe, but the only way we keep this place is if one of us give that up. (Y/N) deserves a childhood. I can give her that."
PRESENT DAY
Minho's trying. I know that. He just can't shake the idea that I'm the same little kid I was back when Mom and Dad died.
"You want me to make you lunch? Happy to! Glad I can finally pitch in. Let me know what else I can do once we finish up. I'm here to help."
"Fixin' up the sandwiches is plenty of help. Now if you don't mind gettin' started? I have a mare to exercise..."
I make the meal in silence, and Minho grabs his to go, giving me a two-fingered wave as he strides out the door.
Is he seriously just going to shut me down like that? I need to talk to someone who will actually listen.
I head up to my room and dial my best friend Mandy's number. She picks up before the phone's even had a chance to finish ringing.
"(Y/N)! I was hoping I'd hear from you. How's life in glamorous Thunder Valley?"
"Well, Minho's been treating me like a child and refuses to let me help out. So that's fun. I'm afraid I'm gonna go off on him if something doesn't change. I got my degree specifically so I could help run this place."
"You have to know this has nothing to do with you. Minho's clearly just goin' through some growin' pains of his own. Luckily, I have a time-honored cure for annoyin' siblings...or exes...or parents..."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"The bar, obviously! You need to take your mind off this. Besides, small-town hotties are, like, the best hotties."
"Actually...there is this guy."
"What the--since when? Details. Now."
"Hold your horses. It's Jisung. As in Minho's best friend?"
"Why do you sound so sad? Haven't you crushed on him forever?"
"I have...but I can't seem to get a read on him. Plus Minho would lose his mind if he caught the two of us together."
"Tell him to just...close his eyes if it grosses him out."
"Not sure that's gonna work this time around."
"In that case, you need to go to the bar even more. To find someone else to crush on, or at least get outta Minho's sight. Now get out there and have some fun already! And please try to do all the things I pretend I wouldn't do, y'hear?"
I hang up the phone feeling lighter than before.
Mandy's right. A night out on my own is exactly what I need!
That evening, I head into town, to the best, and only, bar. The Saddle Horn. As I step inside, I spot a familiar face behind the bar.
"Lucy Freeman? Wow. It's been a minute! I don't think I've seen you since...it must've been some time in high school?"
"(Y/N)? Last I heard, you'd abandoned us hicks to become a fancy big city girl."
"I'm back for good, now. Been helping my brother and Jisung out on the ranch."
"In that case, first drink's on me. What'll be? Bearin' in mind that we're not much for fancy in this place."
"I'll have a whiskey."
"A girl after my own heart."
"What, just 'cause it's easy to pour?" I laugh
"That doesn't hurt. But if you ask me, there's nothing like a whiskey after a long day." she returns the laugh.
Soon, Lucy sets my drink in front of me. I'm taking my first sip when the door opens and a pair of people I recognize from high school saunters in.
"My two favorite troublemakers. What can I do for you?"
"More like what can I do for you? The answer is give you the gossip. By the way, did you hear Han Jisung is back in town?
"You still got a thing for him, Alex?" Lucy asks.
"Her and about 90% of the eligible women in this town." Tanner replies sarcastically.
"Last I heard, he was doing great on the rodeo circuit. What on earth would have dragged him away from all that?" Alex asks.
"Well, (Y/N) here might be able to answer that. Didn't you say Jisung was helping out on your ranch?" Lucy points at me with a grin.
"(Y/N)? Sorry girl, I didn't see you sitting there!" Tanner says with surprise and a smile.
"No worries. It's not to see y'all again."
"Sure, hi, hello, how are you? Oh yeah, me too. Wow, so interesting. Now back to the important stuff. What's the story with Jisung?"
"Alex!" Lucy says in shock. We all laugh.
"Inquiring minds want to know, Lucy!"
"Honestly, he and Minho go way back. They've been friends forever. He came back to help Minho out for a while. Simple as that."
"Really? No juicy hookup gossip, or, I dunno, someone fixin' to wallop Jisung for jumpin' into bed with their wife?" Alex starts asking questions like we're playing 20 questions.
"Not that I know of..."
"Dammit, now how am I gonna figure out which of those rumors is true?"
"Which rumor? The one about Jisung getting caught with that blonde behind old man Wilson's storage shed?" Tanner suggests.
"We all know that happened. Remember, Minho came in here with that black eye for gettin' between Jisung and Wilson?" Lucy informs.
"I'd forgotten that. And Minho blocked the door to the bar so Jisung couldn't get in...but he had Jisung's clothes under his arm the whole time!" Alex blurts out with laughter.
They all laugh at the memory as Lucy grabs their glasses to pour refills.
There's so much about Jisung and Minho I don't know. Clearly I missed a lot while I was away at college.
Just then, Alex leans over the bar, grinning and batting her eyelashes exaggeratedly at Lucy.
"Hey Luce, aren't we overdue for a round of Liar's Dice?"
"I'm sick of beatin' the two of you. I'll play when you find some fresh blood to make the game interesting again." Lucy tells Alex.
"In that case, (Y/N) could join us."
"No pressure or anything. Might be fun to catch up, is all." Tanner tells me.
"Um, yes pressure. Immense pressure. I want a free round of drinks. Not to mention another round of goss." Alex smiles widely.
"She'll, uh...mellow out as the game goes on." Tanner says placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Seriously, though, aren't you curious about what's been going on since you left town? I'll fill you in on all the dirt." Alex grins.
It'd be nice to feel more connected to this place, not to mention learn more about Minho and Jisung. Right now, they're practically strangers.
"All right. I'm in."
"Back room?" Alex asks Lucy.
"I can swing that...as long as we're not there too long."
All of us make our way to the back room of the bar.
"Okay, here's your dice cup. They're a little dinged up, but that's bar games."
Tanner hands me a cup with five dice inside. I do a little test roll on the bar top.
"Seems to work fine to me. So? What are the rules?"
"We each roll five dice, then the first bidder guesses how many fives were rolled." Alex begins to tell me.
"Next person either raises the bid or challenges it. Once there's a challenge, we all show our dice." Lucy explains more.
"If the actual number of fives is higher than the bid, challenger bus a round. If it's lower, whoever got challenged pays." Tanner finishes.
"So, it's just a game of chicken with dice, huh?"
"More or less. The point is to find out who's good at bluffing and who's willing to take the biggest risk."
"In that case, thanks for the free drinks!"
"That's the spirit!" Alex cheers.
"The city clearly didn't water down the Lee snark."
The game begins. I roll my dice and inspect them beneath my cup. Three of my dice have come up fives.
If I have three fives, the highest possible amount is eighteen.
The first few rounds go quickly, with only incremental raises. Alex takes a swig of her drink and turns to me.
"So, when did you roll back into town?"
"Been home about a week, now. It feels strange, being back after so long."
The next bid goes to Tanner. Alex looks at her with a knowing smirk.
"I bet. Too bad you missed Tanner's water tower streaking display. It was one for the record books."
"Alex, (Y/N) doesn't need to be hearin' about that!"
"Your bid, T." Lucy says.
"Oh, umm...I raise one."
Looks like 'distraction by gossip' is already underway. I wouldn't wanna disappoint the old crew by not playing along.
"I didn't hear about that, but actually there's something I'm more interested in discussin'. Tell me about that prank you pulled senior year, Tanner. With the cows in the principal's office."
"Wait a second, weren't you still in middle school when we--uh, when that happened?"
"Half a dozen cows in the big scary principal's office is the kinda news that tends to trickle down. It was you, wasn't it.?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny this accusation."
"Oh man, I'd forgotten about that. They couldn't get 'em out, right?" Lucy asks.
"No, they got the cows out...but cows won't walk down a flight of stairs." Alex says.
"Turns out they will walk into a nearby science lab, though. Which apparently upsets the poor creatures." Tanner informs.
"Wait, really?" I ask with shock.
"It was the week we were dissecting frogs. All the spilled formaldehyde ruined my favorite boots." Alex said rolling her eyes.
"C'mon, it was worth it to see the look on Principal Dougherty's face with he tried to 'smoke out the culprits', wasn't it?" Tanner busts out laughing.
"Actually, yeah. That's a shake of purple you don't often see a man's bald spot turn." Alex joins in.
"Promise me I'm safe from your next brilliant showing, Tanner?"
"Sure, you're safe. As only 'the man' I'm after taking down a peg."
"If you like gossip, (Y/N), you've come tot he right place. This one knows the business of everyone in the county."
Lucy points to Alex, who shrugs.
"Someone needs to take an interest, Lucy."
"Bless your heart with that 'interest' talk."
"Lucy's right, Alex knows the dirt on near everyone in town." Tanner adds.
"What have y'all heard about Minho?"
"Everyone loves Minho. He's so reliable. Always helpin' his neighbors, pickin' up a round at the bar when you're not lookin'..." Alex begins.
"Minho's quiet, sure. Keeps to himself. But he's true blue." Lucy adds.
"And damned if he doesn't make the best cheese dip for game days." Tanner says while rubbing her stomach.
"Sounds like folks like Minho pretty well."
"Sure. Everyone but Frank Harmann." Alex says.
"Wait, Frank who works as our families ranch hand? What does he have against Minho?"
"Beats me, but they really got into it last time we saw him here at the Saddle Horn. They were all worked up about somethin' or other." Tanner explains.
"What were they fightin' about?"
"We couldn't get close enough to hear. Whatever Minho was sayin', Frank clearly didn't like it." Alex tells me.
"Did they come to blows?"
"Nothin' like that. They had words, Minho got that stubborn look he has, and then he walked out and Frank ordered a very stiff drink." Lucy says.
"Actually, I don't think either of them has been in since then. Unless I missed 'em, Luce?"
"Now that you mention it, you're right. That's the last time I saw either Frank or Minho 'round these parts." Lucy answers.
"I'm sure you'll sort out what was goin' on between them since they're both working your ranch right (Y/N)?" Alex asks.
"Right. I'm sure I will..."
I try to focus on the dice in my hand, but a thought is nagging at the back of my mind.
Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Frank since I got back... What could be enough to make him leave when he's worked on our ranch my whole life?
"What have y'all heard about Jisung?"
Tanner whistles.
"Which story do you want?"
I look to Alex, confused. She sighs.
"Jisung has a bit of reputation around here. Frankly, it's good he left for the rodeo when he did."
"No kiddin'. Otherwise someone was gonna run him out of town." Tanner says.
"Did he do somethin' to piss people off?"
"What didn't he do? Or who, I suppose."
"What Tanner means is Jisung left a whole string of broken hearts behind him." Lucy tells me.
"You can't be that big a player in a town this small and not have it catch up to you. Which reminds me... Did you hear that since Jisung's been back he's been steppin' out with Lydia Coughlin?" Alex blurts.
"Wait, the home ec teacher from the high school? But she's gotta be over 60. And she's married!" Tanner shouts.
"Laurie saw the two of them comin' outta the high school late last Tuesday night. And Jisung was carryin' somethin' for Mrs. Coughlin."
"So you're sayin' Jisung's having an affair with the home ec teacher? At the high school?"
"Why else would Jisung have been there so late?"
"I don't know about Jisung, but I can tell you Mrs. Coughlin teaches community ed classes most nights of the week, so that accounts for her." Lucy explains.
"Right, my mom took her bakin' class last spring. So maybe Jisung was like, speakin' to the 4H club about...I dunno, teachin' rodeo tricks?" Tanner suggests.
"Or maybe he was teachin' them pickup artistry." Alex giggles.
"Lord help us if that's the case. I think one Han Jisung's about all this county can handle." Lucy says sarcastically.
They all laugh, but I'm left turning the thought over in my mind.
Could Jisung be teachin' a class on something? Or taking one? If so, why hide it?
Lucy slaps a hand on the counter, bringing my attention back to the game.
"Alright, I'm gonna bid twelve fives. Your turn, (Y/N)."
I know the absolute maximum there could be eighteen, and if I challenge her and there are fewer than twelve, the round is free.
I challenge Lucy to her guess and everyone reveals their dice. As I quickly count them up, I realize there are only 11 fives on the table. Which means...
"We win!" I shout in excitement.
Tanner and Alex whoop, drawing stares from across the bar.
"Hell yes!" Tanner shouts.
"I'll take that free drink, please, Lucy." Alex grins.
"Oh, fine. I suppose y'all have to win occasionally."
Lucy grins and busies herself behind the bar. In a moment, she returns with a glass for each of us. Alex and Tanner both raise their glasses.
"It's been too long since someone fun turned up in this town. It's goo you're back." Alex smiles.
"Ain't that the truth. You should come around more often. We'll save you a seat." Tanner adds.
"I'll be here with bells on just as often as I can." I tell the girls.
We all clink our glasses and take the shot, then Alex hops down from her seat and raises an eyebrow at Tanner.
"On that note, I need to go grab some food before all this free booze hits me. Tanner, don't you owe me a pizza?"
"Do I?"
"Definitely. But don't worry. I'll share. See you around, (Y/N). And say hi to Jisung for me."
With a smile and a wave, the two of them head out of the bar. Lucy and I make our way back to the front together. Once they're gone, Lucy leans across the bar, lowering her voice slightly.
"Not sure it's any of my business, but be careful with Jisung, alright? He's got a reputation...and you're just his type."
"I heard y'all during the game, Lucy. Jisung's a player. Noted."
"We weren't just flappin' our gums. You seem alright, (Y/N). I don't want you to get hurt. And from what I've seen, the best way to make sure of that is to keep your distance from Han Jisung."
Before I can ask her more, she's moved down the bar to serve other customers, leaving me with my thoughts. Just then, the door to the Saddle Horn opens on Jisung. He startles when he sees me, then determinedly saunters over to the bar.
"Did you check this one's ID, Lucy? Might be in trouble with the law soon." he playfully chuckles.
"Worry about yourself. I'm bettin' Mrs. Coughlin's spouse won't love the idea of y'all hanging around the school after hours."
"What in the...how'd you hear about that?"
"Can't give up my sources."
Jisung shakes his head, focusing his gaze on his folded hands.
"There's nothin' like that goin' on between me and Lydia."
"Oh yeah? Then what is goin' on?"
"None of your business."
Clearly there's something about those visits to the school that Jisung wants to keep private. I wonder what, though?
My train of thought is cut off by Lucy leaning across the bar to fix Jisung with a hard stare.
"I know my business. Speakin' of, what're you drinkin'?"
"Something strong. Anything but--"
"Tequila. Don't worry, I know better'n to ever serve you that."
"Whiskey. That'll do. Thanks."
Before I can respond to Jisung's dismissal, the door opens again on a young man in obviously expensive gear. He's flanked by a couple of flunkies.
"Looks like I'll need this. Didn't realize ol'silver spoon was plannin' to stop by." Jisung says sarcastically rolling his eyes.
"I'll say this for Colt Monroe, he always drinks my top-shelf stuff...and that's all I'll say for him." Lucy says with her arms crossed.
"Wait, like Monroe Steer, the multi-million dollar beef conglomerate? Do you think it might be worth asking him about a partnership with--"
"Leave that stuff to your brother, Pip. He's the man in charge." Jisung cuts me off with a serious look.
"You know what? I think I'm gonna go somewhere that my conversation's a little more welcome."
"Suit yourself."
Jisung's as bad as Minho. if he's going to brush me off, I might as well get under his skin a little too...
I saunter across the bar to where Colt Monroe has set up.
"Sorry to butt in, but I'm new in town, trying to make some friends. I'm Lee (Y/N)."
"Colt Monroe, you mighta heard of me. I'd ask if we've met before, but I never forget a pretty face."
Over Colt's shoulder, I see Jisung staring intently at me. A woman besides him chatters away, but he doesn't seem to be listening.
Am I imagining it or is Jisung jealous? I could probably ramp that up if I wanted to.
"Nice to meet you. I'd been hopin' to get better acquainted..."
I lean in closer, just barely laying my hand on Colt's arm.
"I think there could be a great connection between your family and mine. In business, of course."
"Sure. We're talkin' business right now."
Slowly, he pulls the drink from my hand, letting his fingers linger over mine for several seconds too long.
"Conversation like that needs fresh drinks, wouldn't you say?"
"That must be those Monroe smarts that got y'all where you are today."
Colt buys the round...and moves in much closer to me than I like. Before I can react, he plants one arm on the wall near my head, leaning in to whisper.
"We both know what's gonna happen here, right?"
"Whoa, there! I think you have the wrong idea."
"C'mon, you couldn't have sent a clearer signal if you tried. You want it. I'm down for it. Let's just enjoy ourselves, okay? "
"I said I'm not interested."
"Don't be a tease."
He leers, attempting to close the distance between us...then his entire body whips back!
"What in the--"
"You heard the lady. She's not interested. Run on home to daddy, Monroe."
"Not that it's any of your business, Jisung, but she was practically beggin' for it--"
CRACK. Jisung's punch connects so forcefully, Colt topples to the floor. He winces as he holds his jaw, turning to Jisung, furious.
"Do you have any idea who you're messin' with? Get out of here before I do somethin' I'll regret."
Jisung eyes dart to me, still blazing, then he turns back to Colt with a sneer.
"Gladly. Clientele's gone downhill lately. But if you ever lay a hand on (Y/N) again...I won't be responsible for what happens."
Without another word, Jisung stomps out the back of the bar into the ally. I rush after him.
"Jisung! For God sake's slow down!"
"What do you want, (Y/N)?"
"Back up...what the hell was that? What makes you think you can just come up and punch a guy for talkin' to me?"
"That asshole deserved it! I'm not gonna stand by while someone treats Minho's sister that way. It's disrespectful."
"We both know that's not why you did it."
"Oh, yeah? Then why'd I do it?"
The blaze in his eyes seems to heat the air on the empty street. Jisung balls his hands into fists, eyes dropping to my mouth.
I know he wants this as much as I do. This thing between us isn't going away, and I'm sick of fightin' it...
I'm not sure who moves first, but suddenly my lips are on Jisung's, and he's kissing me back with a desperation and intensity that matches mine. Jisung pulls me to him. I can feel the taut muscles of his chest and abs where they're pressing against me, the strength of his arms wrapping around my body. All I want is the warmth that's slowly spreading from him to me, blooming with every touch of Jisung's skin against my own.
"(Y/N)..."
The longing in his voice as he speaks my name is as intoxicating as the hint of whiskey still clinging to his lips. I've dreamed of this moment for so long, I fear I might be dreaming now. Jisung's calloused hands cut through my doubt, sliding along the curve of my back then moving lower. He squeezes the soft curves of my ass and I gasp at the intensity of the sensation.
"Jisung...that feels..."
He pulls me more tightly to him, and I feel his desire, hard and long, pressing against my leg through the fabric of his jeans.
"Do whatever you want with me, (Y/N)..."
I can feel his breath against my lips. The roughness in his voice tells me just how badly he wants this, too. Lips never leaving Jisung's, I lay both hands on his shoulders, guiding him backwards until he's pinned against the wall of the bar.
"Like takin' charge, huh?"
"I like you...I like this..."
I plant a hand on either side of Jisung's face, pressing my entire body along his. He moans as my hips grinds into his. I can feel him stiffening against me. Jisung grabs me by the wrist, guiding my hand over the front of his jeans, moving it over his length...I can feel him go even harder beneath my touch. He takes a shaky breath, bucking against me as I continue my slow movements.
"God, (Y/N), you can't imagine how good that feels. But..."
With a groan of pleasure that almost approaches pain, Jisung pulls away from me.
"We shouldn't be doin' this."
His breathless murmur is full of longing.
"Then tell me to stop."
Jisung sucks in a sharp breath, tongue moving slowly over his upper lip, then he wraps his arms around me even more tightly before, kissing me with renewed urgency. His hands roam my curves hungrily. I pull back just far enough to grin wickedly, wrapping my hand around Jisung's as I lean in to kiss him again.
"Where should I touch you?" He asks seductively.
"Here..."
I gasp as I slide Jisung's hand up over the smooth skin of my stomach. Though his fingertips are rough from work, his touch is feather-light. He pauses when he reaches the silky fabric of my bra. As he slides his hand beneath the cup to caress my breasts, I moan softly.
"Oh my God, Jisung..."
"Damn I love hearin' my name come outta your mouth that way..."
"Then don't stop."
Smiling against my mouth, Jisung moves his entire hand beneath my bra, his thumb moving over my nipple tantalizingly as his fingers explore the soft curve of my breast. Every inch of my skin is crackling with heat. It's almost too much for me to bear.
"Jisung..."
"What is it?"
"I wanted this for so long. I kept tryin' to tell myself it was just some childhood crush, but I can't pretend anymore..."
He pulls back just far enough to rest his forehead against mine. His eyes are surprisingly vulnerable as they gaze into my own.
"Really? Didn't you know better than to fall for someone like me?"
I press a languid kiss to his lips, delighting in the shiver that overtakes him.
"Maybe I should've, but I couldn't help it... I've wanted you as long as I can remember. I want you more every minute."
"God, (Y/N), hearin' you say that..."
I kiss my way along his jaw, moving up to breathe lightly in his ear.
"You want me too, don't you Jisung?"
"I--I want--"
Jisung shakes his head, wrenching himself away with a pained look in his eyes.
"It doesn't matter. We can't do this."
"What? Why not? We both want this! Why fight it?"
He untangles himself from me. I notice he can't even look me in the eye.
"Minho's my best friend, he's all I have, and you're his little sister. No matter what we want, this can't happen. Ever."
With one last, longing glance, he turns and strides off into the night, leaving me alone beneath the cold moon.
We'll see about that...