Page 96 of Spotlight Hearts

She squeals softly, phone shaking a little in her hand. “That’s… that’s amazing. You guys look so happy together. Thank you for telling me.”

She gets her photo and autograph, still beaming as she walks away.

The second she’s gone, I lean closer to Kai, voice low enough that only he can hear.

“You just told a fan we’re together and kissed me. On camera.”

Kai’s cheeks are still pink, but he doesn’t look regretful. He shrugs, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“Felt right,” he says simply. “I’m tired of pretending when it’s not pretend anymore.”

My chest warms. I reach under the table and brush my fingers against his thigh, a quick, secret touch. Kai’s hand finds mine under the table and squeezes once, firm and warm, before letting go.

We turn back to the line. The rest of the meet-and-greet passes in a blur of smiles, photos, and more fans who clearly caught the moment on their phones. The energy in the room has shifted, it’s brighter, more charged. Whispers and excited squeals ripple through the queue as they chat with each other about what they witnessed.

And Kai and I can’t seem to keep our hands off of each other.

By the time the last fan leaves, I’m buzzing.

Michael walks over as we stand up, shaking his head with a grin.

“You two are ridiculous,” he says. “That kiss is already all over TikTok. Harry’s probably planning for more.”

Kai shrugs, looking surprisingly unbothered. “Let him. But we are only doing what feels natural to us both.”

I sling my arm around Kai’s shoulders as we head toward the exit, pulling him close for a moment.

“Ready to go back to the hotel, princess?” I murmur against his ear.

Kai turns his head just enough to brush his lips against my jaw. His voice is low, flirty, and full of promise. “Very ready.”

TWENTY-NINE

KAI

We don’t make it ten steps down the hallway before Tasha’s voice cuts through everything. “Conference room. Now.”

Her tone isn’t cold, I am not sure Tasha could do cold. But it still evaporates the lingering buzz in my chest and the left over heat from the meet-and-greet.

Luca’s arm is still draped over my shoulders and he goes still beside me.

“Harry?” he asks.

Tasha doesn’t slow down. “He’s already on the line.”

I inhale as we turn to follow her. The room is cold compared to the space we just came from. And I have a feeling it is going to feel colder the second I can hear our manager’s voice.

Tasha shuts the door behind the four of us with a soft click that sounds way too loud in the small area. The conference room phone sits in the middle of the table, the red light blinking slowly. A call waiting on hold.

Michael drops into a chair with a groan. While Min-ho leans back against the wall, arms crossed, ready for whatever bullshit Harry has come up with this time.

Luca doesn’t sit and neither do I. Tasha sinks into a chair closest to the phone and presses the button.

Harry’s voice fills the room instantly. “Kai. Luca. That kiss just hit ten million views.” He sounds…excited…and the words hang there. That wasn’t my intent when I kissed Luca.

I lean my hands against the edge of the table, fingers curling into the cool surface.

“And?”