Page 94 of Melt His Heart

“This time was good.” He says, patting my neck lightly. Tears are welling up in my eyes again. So much crying lately. I think this is the most I’ve cried since not making podium all those years ago.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Stop crying.” He says.

“Ok,” I say, crying anyway.

Carson is still standing by, letting us have the moment. He walks up and bows to my parents, “It was nice meeting you.”

“It was nice meeting you too. Thank you for taking care of Juyeon.” My mom tells him, giving him a hug.

“Of course, he’s precious. I’ll take good care of him.” He says, smiling when my mom laughs a bit.

“He is.” She says.

My dad gives Carson a once-over, and they exchange a little nod.

“Don’t forget to visit when you’re back home, or your mother will be upset.” My dad says, but I know by now that means he’ll be upset.

He wants me to bring Carson to visit them at home, and I couldn’t be happier right now. Their car pulls up, and my mom gives us a final hug before getting in, and they head off. I turn to Carson, who’s looking at me expectantly.

“I think your parents love me.” He smirks.

“Oh, here we go. You’re so smug.”

“I mean, I’m the perfect son-in-law if I do say so, and I’m rich.”

“Sure you are.” I roll my eyes.

“Am I not?” He says, stepping into my space and wrapping his arm around me.

“I would like to withhold my comments.”

“So proud of you, Julian.” He says, his lips hovering over mine.

“Thank you…Thank you for being here for me, Carson.” I close the distance first, pressing my mouth against his in a warm and slow kiss.

Chapter 31

The golden-hour sun showers my flat in warm colors as I flit around trying to clean every surface and corner. Carson is on his way. And it’s our first time spending the night with each other since returning from Boston. His team made it into the playoffs again this season, so he’s been extremely busy preparing for that, all while still trying to make as much time as he can for us. Time which feels like it’s moving so much faster as my return home looms over us.

I light a lavender scented candle, hopefully it’ll help relax both of us, Carson from work, and me from my anxiety around what I hope will happen tonight. I’ve already spent way too much time in the bathroom and online making sure I prepared everything right, everything meaning my body. I groan, sinking into my couch, my ears burning just thinking about it.

What if nothing happens? I’ll probably feel stupid.

The door buzzing jolts me from my thoughts just in time. I jump up, smoothing the invisible wrinkles in my clothes out. I head to the door and open it to Carson on the other side, grinning at me.

“So I guess I have a boyfriend now.” He says, pulling me into his body.

I bite my lip, “Who said that?”

“We had a deal.” He nips at my ear, a purr catches in my throat at the sensation.

“I didn’t win gold.”

“When did we agree you had to win gold?”

“Carson..” I giggle as he starts kissing my neck.