If You

“So, what do you think so far?” Mandie asked, looping her arm through Jiyong's. He shook his head. “There's so much, I don't know what to think,” he said, looking around the city.

Emily took his other arm. “Come on, you've been to practically every major city in the world! Ours must seem tiny by comparison.”

“Hey, tiny doesn't mean uninteresting,” he said, nudging her gently. “I think there's a musician on every corner here.”

“That’s why they call it Music City!” Mandie teased. “Emily, let's take him to the Parthenon next!”

Emily glanced back at her dad, who was maintaining a courteous distance. She raised her eyebrows at him and he caught up to them immediately. “Mandie, I'm feeling rather tired. Why don't we head back home?” he suggested.

“Dad!” Mandie groaned. “What about the rest of the tour?”

Emily saw her dad hide a smile before replying. “I'm sure your sister can handle it,” he said, artfully detaching Mandie from Jiyong's arm and guiding her back down the sidewalk. After they disappeared into the crowd Emily let out a sigh. “That girl,” she said, shaking her head. “I love her, but she could talk the ears off a cornstalk.”

Jiyong laughed. “I think she's great,” he pronounced. “I think they're all great.”

“You're just saying that,” she said, leaning on his shoulder.

“No, I really mean it!” he insisted. “Even Mattie.”

Emily groaned. “Thinking about that dinner makes me glad we're going home in a couple days.”

They came to an open-air bar and Emily stopped. “Come on, let's get a drink,” she said, pulling him in.

“A real drink? Not strawberry lemonade or club soda?” Jiyong teased.

“A real drink,” Emily promised, leading the way to the bar. They each got a beer and took it up to the second level, sidestepping tipsy tourists and college students. “He's pretty,” one of the students purred, running a finger over Jiyong's face.

“Thank you,” Emily said, tactfully pulling Jiyong away from her. They found an open spot by the railing and leaned on it, looking out over the city. “ ‘Thank you’?” Jiyong asked. Emily shoved him. “Shut up,” she whispered, taking a swig of beer.

“Emily Carter drinking in a bar? What will the guys think?” Jiyong wondered aloud, sipping his own beer.

“Hey now, just because I don't drink in Korea doesn't mean I'm teetotal,” she said, taking another drink. “That's work, and I don't drink while I work.”

“Yeah, but you're not working all the time,” Jiyong countered. “You could loosen up, have a drink with us every once in awhile.”

“Hungover is game over,” Emily replied. “My boss said that to me when I was hired. I have to be in top form at all times.”

Jiyong took her hand. “I'll add that to the list of reasons I'm glad we came to Nashville,” he whispered.

Emily's smiled faltered. “Have you heard from the guys?” she asked, taking another drink.

“Seungri gets out of the hospital tomorrow,” he said, “and he's going home to finish recovering. Everyone says hi and they miss you.”

“Don't they miss you?” she teased.

“Only when they need something,” he replied, grinning. “Daesung's probably going through my clothes as we speak.”

Emily snorted. “He's had his eye on that Gucci coat for a while,” she admitted, “though goodness knows why.”

“I thought you liked that coat!” Jiyong exclaimed.

“I tolerate that coat,” Emily corrected him, “though it makes me question what high fashion really means.”

Jiyong turned around and leaned back against the railing. “You know, you never said what you and your dad talked about that night on the porch,” he said quietly. Emily frowned slightly. “Don't change the subject,” she teased, though she felt some of the familiar weight return.

“I'm not asking for particulars, just… ” he paused, searching for the right words. “Did you tell him?” he asked finally.

“I told him,” she replied, “but he already knew something was up. I should've known better than to try and hide it from him. He's like a bloodhound when it comes to these things.”

“How did he take it?” Jiyong asked gently. Emily shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I mean, he can't change any of it, though he did hint at moving me back home.” Emily took a long drink. “He said he was proud of me.”

Jiyong blinked in surprise. “Proud?”

“Because I stood my ground,” she said. “He's proud of me for sticking it out when it got hard, and it proves to him how committed we are to the relationship.”

Jiyong nodded. “That's better than I thought it would be,” he confessed. “I thought he might try to throttle me.”

Emily laughed out loud. “Believe me, if he wanted to kill you, you'd be facing the business end of his shotgun.”

Jiyong grimaced and Emily laughed again. She looked back out at the city, watching the people wander by. “I'm glad we came here,” she said, “but I'm ready to go home.”


******


Jiyong waited by the truck as Emily said goodbye to her family. They had had a welcome vacation, but he was ready to go home. “Emily!” he called, tapping his watch. She hurried down the steps, tucking a wild strand of hair behind her ear as she put her last bag in the truck. “Sorry,” she said, kissing his cheek before bouncing into the backseat. Jiyong climbed in after her as Silas started the truck.

“Bye!” Emily called, waving at the others one last time as the truck turned down the driveway and onto the road.

Jiyong watched Emily as she stared out the window, but his mind was churning in a thousand directions. I've got to get my promotion schedule back on track. Sagowa's got a TV script for me to look at. I have to check on Youngbae. The bags under Emily's eyes are gone. I have to make sure Seungri doesn't overdo it while he recovers. I need to call my mother. I still have to film those jewelry ads.

Emily put her head on his shoulder and the swirl of thoughts dissipated. Jiyong put his arm around her, marveling at how seamlessly she fit into him. I have to keep Emily safe, he thought, kissing the top of her head.


******


Emily chewed her lip as she stared out the airplane window. They were cruising steadily over the Pacific, the summer sun turning the water into liquid gold. Jiyong was asleep in the seat beside her and she quietly gave thanks. This is probably the last time he'll let himself sleep for the next few weeks, she thought, pulling the blanket higher on his shoulder.

She pulled out her phone and opened her email app. She quickly sorted through her inbox, then stopped as she came to one from her boss. Oh boy, she thought, opening it hesitantly.

Dear Emily,

I just wanted to say that you're doing incredible work over there. The book is coming along great, and it looks like it should be finished by Christmas.
I think it's time to discuss your next assignment. How about something Stateside, get you back on your home turf? Call me and we can talk about it.

Lisa

Emily's breath hitched in her throat. Go home? she wondered. How can I?

She glanced over at Jiyong again. We'd never make it, she realized. The thought made her feel sick and she closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts. You knew this was coming, she reminded herself. You always knew you'd have to leave at some point. Did you think Korea would last forever?

She opened her eyes and stared out the window again. Tears ran down her cheeks as reality hit home. What do I do? she thought miserably.

Notes