“Oh, so you’ve heard of me?” He arches an eyebrow, his smile widening. He’s definitely got the smile-like-the-world-is-your-friend thing down—for him, the world probably is. “What kind of things have you heard?”
“Well, my sister Leah told me about your musical therapy chari—”
“Voice of an angel? Smile of the devil? Body of a god?”
“Uh… what?”
“You know, most girls faint when they see me. But I guess you did fall, so that’s something,” he says, almost to himself. “So, tell me, what are they saying these days?” He beams down at me, his mouth open in a ridiculously cute smile.
“Mainly that you steal vinyl records from Mr. Noh’s office,” I say, slightly rattled by his obvious arrogance. So much for the sweet, humble star boy who starts charities and loves his fans. “And that you have a secret werewolf lover that you only see during the full moon.”
“Whaaaat? That’s wild! Who said that? How dare they!” He looks wounded, flashing me his signature puppy-dog eyes before a sly grin spreads across his face. “I’d never steal from Mr. Noh.”
I roll my eyes. This is the K-pop star the world is so in love with? “Of course not. God forbid you do anything to mess up your perfect reputation. But rumors about your magical, shape-shifting girlfriend you’re fine with?”
“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” he replies smoothly. “Besides, you know what they say: the more people are talking about you, the more you’re worth talking about.”
“Maybe that’s how it works in your world,” I retort. Of course the infallible Jason Lee wouldn’t need to take the no-dating rule at DB seriously.
Jason pauses, looking down at me. “I feel like you’re mad at me.”
“Nope. Not mad—just trying to get to the trainee house before practice is over,” I say, pulling at the ends of my sweater and hoping I didn’t just give Jason a glimpse of my underwear.
Jason’s eyes light up. “The trainee house! Why didn’t you say so? I’m on my way there too. I’ll walk you.”
“No, thanks,” I reply, but he ignores me.
“So why don’t I know your name?” he asks, cocking his head to the side. “Any DB trainee brave enough to wear Snoopy pants in public is worth talking about.”
My cheeks redden with embarrassment again, but I force my voice to stay composed. “I’ll have you know these are my favorite pajamas. Sorry we can’t all be beautiful werewolves,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I disagree,” Jason says.
“What are you talki—”
“You’re obviously beautiful,” he continues.
My body freezes. Uh… what?
“And I’m pretty sure you could bite my head off if you wanted to. Plus, it is a full moon tonight if you hadn’t noticed.”
Ohmygod. I need to get out of here. I reach down and start unwinding my tangled pajama pants, shooting a death glare at Jason.
“I don’t need an audience,” I snap.
He has the decency to blush but makes a big show of turning slowly around so his back is to me. “Better?”
Seething, I go to yank off my pants in one final move, but I’m so flustered that the waistband gets caught around my ankle again. I trip forward, falling face-first into Jason’s back. Instinctively, I wrap my hands around his waist to steady myself, my cheek buried between his shoulder blades. Without realizing what I’m doing, I inhale deeply. He smells like maple and mint.
“Rather forward of you,” Jason says. I can’t see his face, but I can hear the smirk in his voice. He turns his head, looking at me over his shoulder. “Or should I say backward? Enjoying the view?”
Kill. Me. Now. I step back, my face burning as I finally free myself from these traitorous pajama pants and shove them deep in my bag. I’m torching these things as soon as I get home.
“Thanks,” I say, tossing a stiff nod in his direction and running toward the house, leaving him laughing on the sidewalk.
“You’re welcome, Werewolf Girl!” he calls after me. Great. Another nickname. Just what I need.
I’m cursing myself, Jason, and the entire Charlie Brown gang as I fling open the front door of the trainee house.
Holy crap.
The place is packed with DB trainees and stars, every square inch covered in empty soju bottles and soda cans, with music practically pounding off the walls and a brand-new Samsung Frame playing all the latest K-pop music videos.
And then it hits me. Jason was headed here too—to the trainee house. This isn’t a training session.
It’s a party.
A group of guys turn toward me and wave, yelling out their greetings. I recognize them, but I’m in too much shock to think clearly. I wave back slowly.
“Yo, Jason!” one of them calls over my shoulder.
I immediately drop my hand as Jason enters behind me. His friend walks over, and they do that bro hug thing where they clasp opposite hands and clap each other on the back. I really need to get out of here.
“Who’s your pretty date?” Jason’s friend asks, looking me up and down. Then I realize. This isn’t just Jason’s friend. This is Minjun—lead dancer of NEXT BOYZ and global K-pop superstar.
“This is…” Jason pauses, glancing at me.
“Rachel,” I say. At least my voice is still working normally. I haven’t completely shut down from shock. “I’m a senior trainee at DB.”
“American,” he observes, his eyes twinkling. I almost step back, bracing myself for an oncoming insult. “Welcome, Rachel. I’m Minjun,” he says, like my sister doesn’t keep a poster of his face taped up above her bed and kiss it every night. “Grab a drink.”
I blink in confusion, looking over my shoulder at the front door. Every instinct in my body is telling me to leave. This isn’t what I was prepared for tonight.
Jason puts his hand on the back of my elbow, his eyes twinkling. “Yeah, Rachel, come join us.” He raises a mischievous eyebrow. “Unless, of course, you have a pajama party to get to.”
I scowl. Then I straighten up, tossing my braids behind my shoulder. I made it all the way here. I have to at least show my face. If anything, I can’t leave without getting Leah her autograph. “I’d love a drink.”
The party is already well underway, and I trip over more than a few empty beer cans as I march toward what looks like the bar area, which borders a spacious sunken living room where people are dropping shots of grapefruit soju into beer glasses and downing the whole drink. Someone offers me one and I take it, sipping lightly around the edges of the glass. I’m not exactly a fan of anything that causes people to lose control and embarrass themselves. I’m good enough at that already, apparently.
“Rachel!” a voice calls from across the room. I tense up. I’d recognize that sickly sweet voice anywhere. Mina appears, looking flawless and party-ready with blown-out hair and sky-high glittery stack heels. She adjusts her miniskirt and crop top while Eunji and Lizzie stand behind her, both decked out in perfectly fitting skinny jeans and tiaras. “So happy you could make it to our training session.” She glances at the other two girls, who quickly cover their mouths with their hands to hide their laughter.