A Dinner or Two Dates

Almost half an hour later, Carrie was still in the kitchen, surrounded by half-chopped vegetables and unopened spice jars, trying to figure out what to make. Jae-wook sat on a stool, looking thoroughly unimpressed as he spun a spoon between his fingers.

"Why the heck am I here?" Jae-wook muttered under his breath.

"Because I'm terrible at cooking, and this is your apology for yesterday," Carrie replied, flashing a fake smile. "You should appreciate it."

"I wasn't exactly dying for your forgiveness, Ms." Jae-wook's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Carrie opened her mouth to retort, but the words vanished as Taeyang walked in, his damp hair falling messily over his forehead. The sight of him, fresh from the shower, his face soft and relaxed, hit her like a gust of warm air.

"I was thinking, we should go out for dinner," he said, his deep voice pulling her back to the moment. His dark eyes were fixed on her, unblinking and intense.

"Just the both of us?" Carrie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"No, all five of us. Leo and Ava are coming back soon, so…" He stepped closer and gently took the knife from her hands, his fingers brushing against hers. "You don't have to worry about dinner."

Jae-wook coughed, the sound more like a forced interruption than a real need. Carrie and Taeyang turned toward him.

"Are you okay?" Taeyang asked.

"I'm just allergic to the atmosphere," Jae-wook said pushing off the stool and strolling out of the kitchen.

Carrie chuckled, the sound light and genuine. "So, tell me, how have you been? Isn't being an idol all that hard?"

Taeyang leaned against the counter, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, whenever it gets overwhelming, I just remind myself who I'm doing this for." His lips curled into a faint, almost private smile.

"I'm sure she's proud of you," Carrie said softly, reaching up to brush a damp strand of hair from his face. Her fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary.

Before he could respond, the front door swung open, and Ava and Leo walked in. Ava's eyes widened, and in the next second, she launched herself at Taeyang, wrapping her arm around his neck.

"Why are you assaulting me right now?" Taeyang laughed, his voice muffled against her shoulder.

"How dare you not visit for ten years! Do you know how much I missed you?" Ava released him, her expression a mix of mock outrage and genuine joy.

"You only ever used to bully me. I'm pretty sure you didn't miss me that much." Taeyang teased, rubbing his neck.

"다시 왔구나! 반가워!" Leo said, his eyebrows bouncing playfully.

"Wow, your Korean has gotten better," Taeyang mused.

"Of course. I learned it from Alex," Leo said, a bit of pride in his voice.

"Alex?" Taeyang's face lit up with surprise.

Carrie, sensing the shift in the room, quickly jumped in. "Taeyang suggested we go out for dinner."

"Just the both of you?" Ava's eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on her lips.

"No, all five of us," Carrie said, her expression carefully neutral.

"Where is Alex, anyway?" Leo asked, looking around.

"Did you miss me?" Jae-wook reappeared in the doorway, as if summoned by name.

"How do you appear and disappear like that?" Carrie shot him a look, half annoyed, half amused.

Taeyang straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt. "We should go now, since we're all free."

"I have a meeting at 8 p.m.," Jae-wook said, slipping his phone into his pocket.

"Leo and I also have an online meeting by 8," Ava added, a guilty shrug betraying her reluctance.

Leo's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Looks like it's just you two."

Carrie glared at him, a look sharp enough to cut glass. "Is that so?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Seems like it." Taeyang's voice was calm, but a hint of amusement played in his expression. "I guess it's a date, then."

Carrie's breath hitched. A date? Her mind spun, but before she could process it, Taeyang leaned in.

"Shall we?" he asked. His eyes were warm, his smile genuine.

Carrie hesitated for a moment, the room feeling smaller with everyone's eyes on them. Then, with a barely perceptible nod.

"I would just grab my coat" Carrie said rushing out of the kitchen.

---

As they walked out, the cool evening air hit them.

"You know," he said as they reached the car, "I wasn't lying about wanting to take you out to dinner. Even if it was just the two of us."

Carrie's cheeks heated, and she turned away. "Is that so?"

"Yeah." He opened the car door for her, leaning in close. His voice dropped to a whisper. "And maybe after dinner, we could take a walk."

As she slid into the seat, she looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"That wouldn't be so bad."

He shut the door gently, his lips curving into a smile that promised more than just dinner. As he walked around to the driver's side, Carrie couldn't help but bite her lip, a warmth spreading through her chest.