Noah didn’t look any different. He still wore the black business suit from earlier today. But the dim café lights somehow softened his features. Or perhaps the new information about his past changed my perspective.

The straight, emotionless face didn’t make me angry this time. I couldn’t imagine a childhood without my parents. I had grown up in the countryside, where even neighbors became your family. Our days began with chaotic breakfasts and ended with warm family dinners and endless talks. How had it been for him? In this cold city and with his aloof uncle?

Noah walked over to us, and I stood up. Was he still angry at me? I couldn’t tell. I thought of a way to apologize to him. That was the least I could do after what I said to him yesterday.

“Is there something on my face, Ms. Rose?” Noah asked. “You’re staring.”

I flushed and snapped my gaze away. Could he be any more tactless? 

Lucy noticed my annoyance and stepped up. “Mr. Jung? I’m Lucy Miller.”

“Jake talked a lot about you.” Noah extended his hand.

“I can say the same.” She shook his hand. “You do look better without that wet puppy look.”

Lucy had only seen him once at the pool. And he had looked like a wet puppy. I snickered. Noah shot me a questioning look, and I disguised it into a cough.

Jake turned to me. “And you must be his teacher.”

“Yes, the lucky teacher,” I mumbled.

“Please take good care of my friend.” Jake leaned forward and whispered, “Beware though—the puppy bites.”

I glanced towards Noah and laughed. “I’ll be careful.”

Noah raised his eyebrows, but Jake shrugged and stepped away. He asked aloud, “Noah and I are going bowling today. Do you guys want to come?”

My smile faltered. I was barely getting along with Noah in the pool. And now bowling? That was a recipe for disaster.

“I’m fine—" I started.

“Yes!” Lucy cut in. 

While Noah was distracted by the coffee beans on display, I caught Lucy’s attention and mouthed, “What?”

She pointed her chin towards Noah and mouthed, “Talk to him!”

“Will you join us, Ms. Rose?” Noah turned back to us. His expression was blank, and I tried to figure out if he even wanted me there or not.

I bit my lips. Jake nodded enthusiastically, and Lucy gave me a pleading look. Unable to say no, I said, “Alright.”

Thirty minutes later, we reached the bowling alley. I entered the maze of neon signs and lights and couldn’t stop staring. There was an open bar across the arena and luxurious couches nestled into inconspicuous corners. Soft Lo-fi music played in the background. It was… nice.

Though I still couldn’t understand how I ended up here with my boss. My goal was to teach Noah swimming and focus on my day job. Then why were we stuck together everywhere?

I sighed. Maybe I should just use this chance to clear up the air with him. I changed into bowling shoes and walked up to the three of them. They were already in a heated conversation.

“You? Better than me? As if!” Jake folded his sleeves. “Let’s make a bet.”

“Done.” Noah unbuttoned his blazer and took it off. “I won’t go easy on you this time.”

“Loser pays for dinner!” Lucy added.

I frowned. Wasn’t this going to be a friendly, stress-free game? In a daze, I watched as Lucy and Jake teamed up against Noah and me. 

Noah guided me to the middle lane and picked up a ball. “Choose yours.”

“Mr. Jung?” I fiddled with the hem of my dress. It was already too late, but I still needed to confess. “Um… I have never played before.”

Noah paused. “Never?”

On the right lane, Jake started the game. He threw the ball and landed a strike. I turned back to Noah and spoke over the sound of their celebrations. “Sorry, I’ll just sit out. You can take my turns too.”

Before Noah could respond, Jake shouted, “Noah, you’re up!” 

Noah walked up to our lane. His white shirt rippled deliciously over his muscles as he threw the ball in one smooth move. The ball hit dead center on the pins. A clean strike. Jake whistled in appreciation. I barely managed a smile—I was a noob in front of them.

“I’m going next!” Lucy announced.

Noah returned to my side. Compared to Lucy and Jake’s chatter, the two of us stood in awkward silence. The tense words from yesterday still played in my mind. I had to apologize to him, but how should I bring up the topic? I sighed. At this point, I could slice through the tension in the air with a knife.

“Your turn,” Noah said abruptly.

“Huh? But—"

“Don’t worry, Ms. Rose.” Noah stepped back. “Just aim for the center.”

“Go, Isla!” Lucy cheered.

With three pairs of eyes on me, I picked up a ball. The heaviness surprised me, and I flexed my wrist to hold it properly. I walked over to the middle lane.

Here goes nothing. I tried to imitate Noah’s posture, but I knew I was just awkwardly squatting. I scrunched up my face, squeezed my eyes shut, and swung the ball as hard as I could. It flew out of my hand, and I managed to not slip. 

I peeled an eye open and waited for it to land. Huh? Where did it go?

“Shit,” Jake muttered.

I snapped my head to the left and gasped. The ball landed with a thud on a different lane. I watched in silence as it rolled with incredible speed. Noah rushed to my side to take a better look. The ball hit the pins. One, two, three… nine down. 

Almost a strike.

What… what just happened?

Noah’s laughter broke the silence. He clutched his stomach and collapsed on the couch. Tears pooled in the corner of his eyes as he laughed his heart out. “I… I have never seen…” He struggled to breathe as he completed his sentence. “Never seen someone so good and so bad at the same time!”

My cheeks flushed. I was embarrassed by my freak shot, but I was more shocked by Noah’s laughter. I had never seen him laugh before.

“Beginner’s luck?" I squeaked out.

Lucy patted my back, but even she struggled to hold in her laughter. Only Jake was silent. He stared at the one pin standing, his mouth open.

Could I have made a bigger fool out of myself?

I pursed my lips and planned my escape. Maybe no one would notice if I just slipped away and moved back to the countryside… 

Noah sobered up from his laughing spell and stood up. He casually loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. My stomach flip-flopped as he walked over to me. His eyes twinkled in amusement, and the two dimples took permanent residence on his cheeks. Without a word, he weighed the bowling balls and chose one.

“Mr. Jung?” I asked, confused.

“You should take a lighter weight.” Noah opened his palm and extended it towards me. “Give me your hand.” 

“Why?” I whispered.

“Does it look like I like to lose?” He smirked. “Let me teach you.”