Season Two: Part IV

The morning sun reflects off the black, white striped hood of your Mustang as you pull up to the beauty salon’s entrance. You turn the engine off and step out to open the passenger door.

Karina steps out and stretches for a second in the warm light. She looks gorgeous even in her casual, loose clothes. Her hair is tied in a loose ponytail with no makeup and your hoodie hanging off her shoulder. Her eyes brighten for a moment at the unexpected warmth in the air during this time of year. She leans in, giving you that small smile that always makes your chest tighten.

“Thank you for the ride.”

You reciprocate her smile and then turn to the backseat door and open it for Giselle.

She steps out, her hair falling over one shoulder, her crop top riding up just enough to flash a hint of skin. She mumbles a quiet “Thanks,” and you still wonder if she’s actually into you, or all these awkward moments are just a coincidence. Trying not to read into it too much, you step closer to Karina again, slipping a hand to the small of her back and bending down to kiss her gently. She melts into it, her fingers curling into your shirt for a second before you pull away.

It’s soft and warm normal. For a moment the two of you are in love without trying to make each other fail your bet. The kind of routine kiss couples have every morning.

But behind you, someone is watching.

Giselle stands on the pavement, one hand in the pocket of her jeans, the other holding her phone, pretending to scroll through it. But her eyes flick upward again and again as the two of you share each other’s intimacy. Her lips part. Then she bites down on her bottom lip, hard enough that her teeth press into the soft flesh.

God…
why does he have to kiss her like that…
why does he have to look so good doing it…

Your hand finds your girlfriend’s ass and you give it a playful squeeze.

Giselle’s breath catches. Her heart thumps. Her thighs press just slightly together.

She swallows hard.

She should walk inside. She should not even think about it. You’re Karina’s boyfriend, her friend’s boyfriend.

But the longer she lives under your roof…The more she sees you in tank tops, with messy hair in the kitchen, half asleep and shirtless in the morning…The more she watches you teasing Karina, kissing her neck, touching her waist, whispering things she can’t hear…the more she wants you. Needs you. Craves you.

She forces her gaze away before either of you see the hunger in it.

You give Karina’s waist a final squeeze and step back.

“Have a good day.”

Karina beams.

“You too. Don’t overwork yourself.”

You lean against the car as Karina slings her bag over one shoulder.

“Oh, I might not be able to pick you up early today.”

You say and Giselle hears the softness in your voice which you only use with Karina.

“I have that concert coming up next month, so we’re stepping up choreography practice. I might be running late.”

Karina smiles, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

“That’s fine. We’ve got a fan meeting, so I don’t know when I’ll finish anyway. I’ll text you the address and time when I know.”

You nod, step in, and give her another gentle kiss. This one is a little longer, making Giselle, still standing by the curb, shift her weight and stare hard at her shoes.

Just then, another car pulls into the space behind yours. A sleek, company van. The doors open and out steps Winter, her face masked but her eyes mirror the warm smile playing around her lips. Their manager follows.

“Oppa!”

Winter greets you brightly, waving as she walks up to the three of you. You’re surprised she greets you first.

“Ningning came early. She’s already inside.”

Her eyes flicker briefly to Giselle, and for half a second, you see something sharp pass between them. There’s a truce, maybe, but no warmth yet.

Karina greets Winter and the manager with a quick nod and a smile. The manager leads the way inside, and Karina and Giselle trail after, falling into a quiet conversation. Giselle looks back at you and Winter for a second and you wonder if she’s looking at you or her.

Winter doesn’t follow them immediately. She stays back, watching the others walk off. Then she steps closer to you, her voice suddenly quiet and genuine.

“I’m sorry about all the drama lately.”

She says, her eyes locked on yours.

You almost tell her it’s fine, but before you can speak, she leans in and gives you a quick hug. Except this one isn’t like the friendly hug from a few days ago. Winter presses her body a little closer, lingering just a fraction too long. You feel the heat of her stomach against your shirt, the press of her chest, the bare skin where her top rides up as she wraps her arms around you.

She pulls back, mask hiding her lips but not her eyes. There’s mischief in them. A glint, a challenge, a memory of her bare midriff in your car and the kisses she left on your cheek.

“I hope it wasn’t too much trouble…”

She purrs, probably with a grin on her face, seeing your reaction. You try your best, but you doubt you can hide how she’s affecting you when she’s this close.

“…letting Giselle stay with you. She’s always been a handful.”

You catch the teasing double meaning instantly and a cold shower runs down your back. Does Winter know how you look at Giselle?

Before you can answer, Winter gives your arm a squeeze and flutters after the others, her ponytail bouncing, her hips swaying, leaving you with the scent of her that oddly familiar perfume and the memory of her bare skin pressed against you.

For a moment, you just stand there, collecting yourself as you watch after her.

Winter pushes through the glass doors of the beauty salon, the bell chiming softly above her. And right on cue, another figure steps out as she walks in.

Wendy.

Her hair is styled neatly from the salon visit, her makeup is soft and flattering, and just like in your dream, she’s wearing a cropped top. Today it’s a white one with short sleeves, partially covered by a blue jacket, that shows off her perfectly toned midriff. Smooth, tight, as amazing as you remember.

Winter and Wendy greet each other with a quick hug before the younger one slips inside. Wendy watches her go, adjusts her bag on her shoulder, then turns…and sees you standing there beside your car.

Her face lights up instantly. She waves, walking toward you with confident little strides, every movement making her stomach flex beautifully under the golden morning light.

And it hits you.

Yeri’s voice in the back of your head.