Chapter 7: Power Cut

The storm took out the power at dusk.

Every window in Lighthouse Cove went dark at once, and then the wind began to pull at the roof.

Missy lit candles in every room of the cottage and fed the gas fire until it roared.

She had just put a pot of soup on the camp stove when someone knocked.

All four of them stood on her step, drenched.

Their arms were full of blankets and a bag of bread from the cabin.

"The woodstove's smoking," Jisung said. "And the loft is leaking. Chan said not to bother you."

"Chan was wrong," Missy said. "Get in here, all of you."

They crowded into her living room.

The firelight turned everyone gold. The cats pretended not to be thrilled.

Chan carried the soup with careful hands and a very straight back.

He did not look at her for ten minutes.

When he finally did, he turned a deep, helpless pink.

"Eat," she told him, gently.

Later, when the bowls were empty, Jisung and Chan went into the kitchen to wash up.

They were going to play cards by candlelight.

Chan was still pink, and Jisung was grinning.

That left the sofa, Missy, and two men who would not look at each other.

Felix sat at one end with his long legs stretched toward the fire.

Hyunjin sat at the other and stared at the flames.

"You said we'd talk," Hyunjin said quietly.

"I did."

"So talk."

Felix took a long breath, and his deep voice came out almost soft.

"I've known how you feel for two years," he said.

"I never said anything because we're a group."

"I thought it would ruin us."

"You knew."

"I'm a coward. And I've wanted you for just as long."

Hyunjin turned his head very slowly.

"Say it again."

"I want you, Hyunjin. I've wanted you since the airport in Sydney."

Hyunjin made a sound that was close to a sob, and Missy put her hand over her mouth.

"You can kiss him," Missy said, her voice not quite steady.

"I'd like to watch."

Felix looked at her, and then at Hyunjin, and his eyes darkened.

"Come here," he said.

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