Soft Spot

(DO YOU SEE THE IRONY here?)

Please just let me have my moment.

(You didn't even blink when you learned your husband was a criminal.)

Because I'm not the type to judge.

(But you're bawling your eyes out now because he has someone else?)

Because it's hurtful!

(Again: do you see the irony here?)

Really hurtful!

(Why is it even hurtful?)

Because!

(Have you forgotten your marriage isn't normal?)

Even so!

(You know what this really means, right?)

Don't say it.

(You're—-)

I said don't!

(In—-)

Summerine shoved Inner Troll back into its closet and splashed ice-cold water on her face.

Ryu would be home soon, and it was important that he didn't realize she had shed a single tear.

She applied her makeup in a hurry and did her best to act normal when it was finally time to join her husband for dinner.

"Welcome back." She forced herself to greet him like she always did...even though a part of her just wanted to kick him really, really hard under the table and start yelling at his face.

How! Dare! You! Cheat!

"Thank you. It's good to be back." Ryu looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong?"

Summertime forced herself to smile. "Nothing's wrong."

Just act like everything's normal, Summerine reminded herself.

Normal. Normal. Normal.

And while she gave it her best shot—-

Her best clearly wasn't good enough when Ryu asked to have a word with her once they were back in their suite.

Oh no.

"Do you want anything to drink?"

Salted caramel latte , Summerine thought absently. It was what she always drank whenever—-

"Maybe a hot salted caramel latte?"

Her jaw dropped. How did he know that was her happy pill?

His lips twitched, and Summerine absolutely hated the way her heart skipped a beat over such a simple thing.

"I had your background checked, remember?"

She watched him head over to the counter where their coffee machine was, and Summerine was treated to the unexpected sight of Ryu getting rid of his blazer in order to roll his sleeves up to his elbows.

Oh...no.

She never used to notice the way the muscles in his arms flexed with his every move. Why did she have to start doing so...just when she knew for sure that he had another woman in his life?

"All done."

Summerine knew without being told that those words were a subtle command for her to joined him, and she could feel him watching her as she took one of the bar stools.

"T-Thank you for this."

She pretended not to notice his frown at the way she stammered. Summerine raised the cup to her lips and took a sip.

Oh.

"It seems I've just found one of your soft spots."

Only after hearing the smile in his words did she realize that she had actually ended up closing her eyes.

Because yes, it was that good.

But...what about him?

Why was it always so easy for her husband to correctly guess everything about her while—-

"Would you like to know what mine is?"

And he was doing it again!

Amusement gleamed in his dark eyes. "Your face gives away everything."

She stared at him darkly. "I wish it didn't."

"That's a pity then," her husband didn't hesitate to parry back, "since I'd rather you stay as you are."

I don't believe you.

"You don't believe me?"

Aaaargh!

Summerine covered her face just to stop him from reading her expression, but this only made her husband chuckle.

"You're surprisingly easy to tease."

Summerine didn't allow herself to be baited, her face still hidden behind her hands.

"If you want to know what my soft spot is, I'll need to see your face, though."

"What for?" Her voice came out muffled, with her hands still acting as a shield.

"Just because."

Ryu pulled her hands down as he spoke, and since she was no match for his strength—-

Oh.

Her gaze collided with his, and her oh-so-stupid heart raced and ached at the same time.

How could Ryu smile at her so gently...even when he had another woman whom he called his darling?

"Care to guess what my soft spot is?" her husband suddenly asked.

"I...can't think of any."

"And if I said it was you?"

Summerine fought against the urge to clutch her chest, which had tightened to the point of pain.

"You don't believe me?"

"Should I?"

"How about I tell you something else?"

Her forehead creased.

"And it's something I've never told anyone before."

Oh my gosh.

Was he going to tell her about his other job? Or maybe his other woman? Or maybe—-

"You see...it's rare that I would need an outlet of any kind."

—-something else?

"But if I were to need one—-"

Summerine held her breath without knowing why.

"There are certain types of sports that immediately come to mind."

Summerine didn't see that coming at all. "W-What kind of sports?"

"The kind—-"

The kind...what?

"That—-"

That...what?

"You're not likely to play, unfortunately."