Logan
My brain went blank.
Like I'd just taken a hit straight to the head.
This was, single-handedly, the most attractive woman I had ever seen.
And I've been to a lot of places.
I didn't react at first. I couldn't.
Her eyes—ball sack. They were sharp, alive, playful, and a grayish-blue color. Wow. Just wow. The kind of eyes that could probably get a man to do just about anything.
Then, out of nowhere, she started talking.
Fast. Bright. Completely in Korean.
I stared at her, my brain short-circuiting.
She gestured at my magazine, her voice lilting upward at the end, like she was asking me something.
I caught exactly zero percent of what she just said.
"…What?"
She paused, looked confused, then tilted her head like she was considering something, then—
She grinned.
And that's when I knew I was in serious trouble.
Because that grin—it was mischief, challenge, and confidence all wrapped up in one.
She leaned back into her seat, still watching me, still smiling, like she was perfectly content to sit here and let me figure out what the hell just happened.
And I didn't know why, but something about that made my exhaustion disappear.
Her freaking legs were unbelievably distracting; she was wearing short shorts with fuzzy boots. Her legs were long, shapely, and flawless. I tried REALLY hard not to look at them.
I cleared my throat, giving her a slow once-over.
"I saw earlier when those guys tried to talk to you. No English, huh?"
No response.
Just that smile.
"Well, I can't hold that against you. I don't speak Korean. Wish I did, though." I leaned back, stretching my legs out. "Probably would've been the highlight of my year. And trust me—it's been a pretty shitty year. Actually, it's stupid. We don't really learn languages like most countries. Hell, I barely speak English."
She just took a sip from her water bottle, eyes still locked on me.
Unreal.
Her eyes didn't indicate that she understood what I was saying, but for some reason, she seemed to be enjoying me talking at her.
And because I was too exhausted to have a filter, my mouth just… kept going.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "Since it's just you and me here, I have to ask—Not all Korean girls are in your orbit, right? Like, there are normal-looking ones too? Because this is ridiculous."
Nothing.
Just a slow blink.
"I thought people like you only existed on the Internet."
Still nothing.
I gestured vaguely at her. "I'm sure you hear it all the time. Or maybe you don't—I've heard Korean guys can be shy. Well, I don't have that problem. I'm relatively blunt. Probably the reason I didn't have many relationships before my deployment."
She tilted her head. Then said something in Korean.
I leaned forward slightly. "You know, Korean is really pretty."
She blinked once.
I sighed. What's with this sudden need to flirt with this girl?
I didn't even know her name.
"It's kind of amazing, isn't it?" I murmured. "Meeting like this, in the middle of nowhere. You—from the other side of the world. Me—just passing through."
She grinned again.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"You have to be someone important. Or at least on your way there."
Her eyes flickered with something—curiosity? Amusement? Hard to tell.
I tilted my head slightly. "I mean, come on. I don't know a damn thing about your personality except maybe you are full of confidence. But I'd be willing to bet my admittedly modest salary that people bend over backward for you. Strangers, friends, politicians, the Pope—probably even people who should know better."
She took another sip of her water.
I smirked slightly. "If I had to guess, you don't even ask for it. It just happens."
She adjusted her legs, stretching them. A bit of her shirt lifted, and I caught a glimpse of flat stomach and pale, perfect skin.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "You know, you're almost too pretty. The kind of pretty that messes with people. I bet you get hit on constantly. Maybe even by guys who should have a shot."
I paused, studying her.
"But I'd also bet that doesn't mean much. Because I think—" my voice dropped slightly, "—you feel alone anyway and most likely taken advantage of."
She looked away.
I smiled. "You don't have to worry. I have a younger sister who's a model and really cute. I know what attractive people go through. You won't have to worry about me hitting on you—even if you could understand me. You're way out of my league. So hopefully, you can feel my sincerity even if you don't understand."
The hot Korean girl's smile faltered.
She looked away, staring at her feet for a second.
And suddenly, the mood shifted. Like what I said upset her…
I cleared my throat, feeling like I'd stepped on a landmine I didn't know was there.
Before I could fix it, I heard the clatter of a cup hitting the table.
David.
He dropped into the seat across from me, holding a drink in one hand and a magazine in the other.
And then he froze.
I barely had time to react before he went completely still, eyes locked on the woman sitting next to me.
Then, like a man realizing he just walked into a minefield, he straightened up, gripping his cup like he suddenly didn't know what to do with his hands.
I laughed. "Hey, dude, I thought you were going to get me a coffee. Don't worry about her. She doesn't speak English. Super pretty though, right? Don't make it weird and make her uncomfortable."
David just stared at the girl, who gave him a big, dazzling smile.
I frowned. "What's up with you?"
David didn't answer right away. He glanced at me, then back at her, then at me again, and his jaw actually dropped slightly.
Then, in slow motion, like he was checking to make sure he wasn't crazy, he lowered the magazine in his hand.
And right there, staring back at me—
Was her.
On the cover.
Looking stupidly perfect, wearing some designer outfit, gazing at the camera like she owned the world.
JIA, LEADER OF NOVA, THE K-POP GROUP TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM!
Underneath, a headline:
*"Jia Opens Up About Her Life Between Two Worlds—Growing Up in Australia & Finding Her Place in Korea!"*
My brain broke.
I stared at the magazine.
Then at her.
Then back at the magazine.
Then at David.
He looked like he was physically restraining himself from losing his mind.
"Oh my god," he finally wheezed. "Oh my god."
I shook my head, still trying to process. "What?"
David leaned forward like he needed to make sure I understood how insane this was. "Do you have any idea who this is?"
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Slowly turned my head toward her.
Of course, I know who it is. NOW.
She was still watching me. Still grinning like a wolf.
Like she had been waiting for this moment.
David, meanwhile, was losing it.
"Bro. BRO. You just spent the last twenty minutes hitting on one of the most famous women in the world."
I dragged a hand down my face. "I wasn't hitting on her. I was just talking—."
I stopped and looked at her.
I had pretty much spent the last half hour telling her how attractive she was.
I looked back at the cover, staring at one word in particular.
Australia.
"Shit," I said.
And then she spoke.
Soft. Amused. Just loud enough for me to hear and with the slight hint of an accent.
"You should go to Korea sometime. And I think your eyes are really pretty too."
Then, smooth as silk, she stood, adjusted her bag, and walked away, her ass swaying like a freaking boat.
I watched her disappear into the crowd, my mind still trying to catch up.
David wiped tears from his eyes. "Dude. I need you to know this is the funniest thing that has ever happened."
I punched David on the arm.