The Hunt

55

"Hey- are you feeling okay?" Sarah asked, her voice full of concern. "You look tired."

I laughed dryly; fully aware that I looked pretty haggard. "I pulled an all-nighter."

"Work?" Sarah locked the door behind herself, and took off her shoes.

"Yeah," I sighed and stretched my arms above my head. "I was on a roll. Managed to sketch out a couple more pages of the children's book, and I picked up a small job redesigning a company logo for some place in the States."

"That sounds cool," Sarah said with a warm smile. Looking a little closer, it was clear that she was having a great day. Happiness radiated from her very being, and she was practically glowing.

I motioned for her to sit down, and took my seat at the opposite end of the couch.

"Sarah," I began and her smile grew wider. "Did something happen with Hoseok last night?"

"Perhaps." She tried to conceal her joy, but failed miserably. "He's really sweet and funny."

I nodded. Of course.

"He's like a ball of sunshine."

"Yes!" Sarah agreed, bobbing her head excitedly. "He is like a ray of sunshine. He's just so happy, it's almost infectious."

"I'm glad you like him. I don't know him very well, but he did seem pretty smitten with you the other day."

Sarah let out a chuckle. "Oh, he's definitely smitten. If not infatuated." She lowered her head to look up at me through her eyelashes, giving me a television drama-worthy smolder.

"Oh geez," I rolled my eyes in exasperation. "You had sex with him, didn't you?"

"Yes, and it was fantastic."

I wasn't totally surprised. While we had only known each other a couple of years, I was aware that Sarah was the type of person who knew what she wanted and was confident enough to get it.

"He told me he wanted to climb me like a tree, and I was like, sure, let's do it. Hop on."

"Damnit, Sarah! Too much information!" I yelled while laughing.

I stood up from the couch, and grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge.

Tossing one bottle to Sarah, I asked, "Should we head over early? They might give you a tour. The house is pretty impressive."

"Hmm," Sarah mused while unscrewing the cap on her water. "I do enjoy looking around other people's houses and judging their decorating..."

"Oh, you'll love it. They definitely hired a professional." I slipped on a pair of flats and grabbed a coat.

"Yasss! Let's get it!"

The drive started out with a comfortable silence that lasted about two blocks.

"So, how did it go yesterday?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. I didn't really get to talk to them. Jimin and his dad and uncle went into an office for about ten minutes, and I waited in the living room by myself. I didn't listen in, I figured that would be rude."

"Sounds awkward," Sarah concluded.

"It was. Very." We stopped at a red light and I took that moment to roll my shoulders. "It probably would have been less awkward had Jimin told them I was coming along beforehand."

Sarah sucked in a sharp breath between her teeth. "Yeah. That probably would have been helpful. Ugh, I'm sorry, Y/n, that sounds really sucky."

Sitting alone in that living room with only my own thoughts to keep me occupied was pretty nerve-wracking. And while I tried very hard not to listen in on the conversation Jimin and his elders were having in the next room, I couldn't help but catch a few snippets.

One thing had caught my attention as being possibly note worthy. Grandma Park's wedding ring was missing. She had given it to JiHoon before she passed away, intending for it to be given to his fiance.

I shook those thoughts from my mind. If Jimin thinks it's pertinent information, he'll share it tonight.

"Anyway," I cleared my throat. We were still a few blocks away from the guys' house. "What did Hoseok do to woo you?"

"He's a dancer. Turns out I'm into that," Sarah began and I could feel her smile without having to see her face. "He gets this look in his eyes when he's dancing. It's like he'll eat you alive, and I'm okay with that."

"I didn't think it was the kind of bar where people dance."

"Oh, it's not. But, damn he looked good! Also, he's not subtle, but surprisingly gentle."

I let out a groan as we pulled into the driveway. "Too much." Sarah just laughed.

I parked at the back of the house, in front of the one of the closed garage doors. As I was unsure if I was close enough to the guys to enter via the backdoor, I started to lead Sarah around to the front of the house. We only made it a few steps beyond the car before the backdoor opened and Hoseok bounded out to meet us.

"Sarah! Waffles! You made it!" Hoseok nearly shouted. "Hope you're hungry. Yoongi made a stew."