Why Can't We..?

Chapter 6

"So, now that they're gone" Jin started as I was washing the dishes "I have to show you something" 
"Okay" I shut off the sink and turned around, I felt my face get hot when I realized how close we were. He smiled and walked towards the back door
"Close your eyes" 
I closed my eyes and I felt his warm hand grab onto mine. 

Why was my heart beating so fast? 

"Open them"

I opened my eyes and gasped 
A giant castle stood in my backyard. 
It was white and pink, with a tower off to the side, big pink doors, the plastic on the windows were designed to look like stained glass, and it said "Ellie's castle" on a wooden sign hanging from the front door

"Jin!" I gasped "you did this?" 

He chuckled "I had help last night which is why we were all super exhausted this morning. But yeah, I bought this for Ellie when I found out we were coming for her birthday. I figured every princess needs a castle" he shrugged as his ears turned red. I hugged him tightly with my face buried in his chest, he chuckled and hugged me back just as tight 
"Thank you so much! She's going to love it!" I giggled 
"Open the doors!" He said excitedly 
There was a fake kitchen inside the castle as well as chairs, a small table, crayons, an art easel, play dough, it was basically a playroom for her to utilize. 

I loved it. 

I knew she was going to love it. 

"I wasn't sure if her room would be big enough for it..so we put it up out here. But with me hopefully moving close by we can put it in her room when the weather changes" 
"Thank you so much!" 
"You're very welcome" he smiled 
"I have to go get ready and finish hanging the decorations"
"Can I help?"
"Sure, you're taller than me..obviously" I laughed making him chuckle "so would you mind hanging the streamers?"
"Of course" he smiled 

I made my way up to my room and pulled out my princess costume. Since I'm pale and my hair is black I went with a snow white costume, after I slid it on, I put my flats on and curled my hair into an updo, and then did my make up. I tucked a headband into my hair that had a red bow attached to it and smiled. I looked just like snow white.

Ellie is going to love it! 

I walked downstairs and watched as Jin struggled a little with the streamers, I giggled and walked over to him "need any help?" He jumped and turned around to face me. He took a sharp inhale and his body tensed, he let out a cough and turned back around, I noticed his ears getting red
"Um, yeah, sure. Please" he mumbled 

I stood on one of the chairs next to him and helped him with the streamers, we moved around the rooms making sure everything was hung properly and all of the decorations looked nice. I pulled the cake out of the fridge and set it up on a cake holder surrounded by cupcakes. Everything was pink, and covered in sprinkles. Her theme was obviously princess so all of the paper products had disney princesses all over them and pink silverware. We had snacks, candy, food, and desserts spread out. 

She's going to lose her mind. 

I smiled as I stared at everything. 

"I'm going to go get changed" Jin said as he turned to face me with a smile
"Okay, thanks again for helping" I smiled 
"Of course..and by the way" he looked down at the ground "you look really beautiful..not that you don't always look beautiful, because you're beautiful all of the time..but today you just look extra extra beautiful and you pull off the snow white costume better than snow white herself" he rambled as his face and ears turned ruby red making me smile so hard my cheeks started to hurt. 
I hugged him and buried my face in his chest as I let out a little laugh, he laughed too as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders 
"Thank you" 
"Of course" 
I released him from the hug and he scratched the back of his neck before quickly walking away and went to get himself ready. 

I walked into the kitchen and started puttering around, I had to make sure everything looked nice, I also grabbed my presents for her out of the closet and set them up in the living room
"All set? The guys are on their way back" Jin asked from behind me, I stood up straight and turned around to face him. 

My heart stopped. 

His black hair was parted to the side making his bangs cover half his forehead, he was in a white loose shirt with black skinny jeans ripped at the knees, and black chunky sneakers. 
He looked so effortlessly flawless. 

Over the last few days that they had been here.. I often found myself staring at him and wondering how someone could look so perfect. 

Wondering how his plump lips would feel on mine. 

I had to keep those thoughts stuffed down. 

It's not like anything would ever happen. 

I'm almost ten years older than him, a mom, and I work insane hours. Not to mention he's my little brother's best friend. 

I've been single since Ellie was born, I never wanted men walking in and out of her life so I keep my distance, I never thought anyone would make me want to try..but watching Jin interact with Ellie, hearing his jokes, watching how he treats his friends, how he treats me.. I find myself often wanting to kiss him. He's such a genuine person, he's funny, he's smart, compassionate, his laugh is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard..and his looks are just the cherry on top. 
"Noona?" He asked snapping me out of my thoughts, I shook my head and put my hand on my forehead closing my eyes
"Sorry.. yeah I'm ready" I moved my hand and looked up giving him a smile, he smiled back and walked into the kitchen. 

I'm in trouble.