As the sun started to descend, Trish could see they would be near Santa Cruz soon. When she'd called, Marcy wasn't home, but her roommate Jackie was there. She didn't know Jackie as well, but she seemed nice. It would give In-ho a chance to relax out of the public eye.

In-ho suddenly asked, "How far is it from San Francisco again? Can we make it later tomorrow? It's been awhile since I've been there." In-ho said it straight-faced, looking ahead as he drove some of the two-lane highway they had entered. Monterey Cypress trees and red lights started to appear on the highway. With those also had appeared more traffic.

"It's only like forty-five minutes from San Francisco. You don't want to arrive tired? Besides, I want to show you where I went to school."

He looked over the steering wheel, gripping the wheel. "Actually, tomorrow night I have plans."

"Really?"

He turned towards her for a moment. "I was hoping you'd join me."

"What's it for?" She felt she might get a chance to get to know more about him. Maybe this was a way to finally find out about his past.

"A reunion," he answered.

Her voice edged a little higher, eyebrows raising. "For what? For your high school?" Hope surged through her. She may have found a key to his past.

"Yeah. I was trying to keep it a secret. I didn't want you have to go. But, I'd be more comfortable if you helped me out." He looked back ahead, keeping an eye on the traffic.

"Oh. My. God. You need a date?" Folding her arms, she tried to hide her irritation. Was she just being used?

"Yes. It's at the Hyatt Regency in the Embarcadero. It's supposed to be really nice. I'll take care of everything. Dinner. A new dress. What do you say?"

"So, this trip had more in the plan than just being a tourist? Hmm?" Her lips pierced. "I'm a tagalong date? Why do you need a date?"

This time, he angled a look at her as he drove. "You are the welcome addition to something I had to do. In fact," he licked his lips, saying slowly, "you are making it bearable." He looked for a moment at her. "You're my muse, remember? And having a date will help me have someone that will make me feel comfortable." He looked back at the road. "It's been so long since I've seen them all. It would be a great favor and mean a lot."

She started to unfold her arms." Okay. I get that. You need me for this. Any reunion can be hard to get through." She fluffed out a breath and looked ahead, putting her hands down, and watching the road in the distance before them. "I went to my high school's five-year reunion. People hadn't changed."

He eased back into his seat. "Then, you'll know my pain. I consider you a friend now."

Her breath caught as she realized what he'd said. "Really? Thank you." She remembered to keep thinking, breathing. Her mouth went dry as she tried to figure what to say next. Maybe she had been right that he didn't get a chance to meet people. She tried to get a grip on her thoughts. "Is it your first reunion?"

"Yes. I couldn't make the five-year reunion. I can't believe it's been ten years now. I went there only some of my high school years before returning to Korea, but this still felt like my class of students, where I belonged. I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye, and they invited me to this event before. This time, I want to be able to make it." He stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath before he continued. "I have someone I want to talk to." His voice dropped with the last phrase.

Trish didn't answer immediately, searching for something to say to fill the awkward silence. She swallowed first when she thought she had it. "Is this someone special? Is it the girl from the song?"

He answered without taking his eyes from the road. "Yes."

She sat up and braced herself against the seat. She felt like a wallop had hit the center of her chest. It was confusing, feeling this way, especially since he was getting closer like a friend, not a boyfriend. Or did she want that? Not him chasing after another girl. But after her. She felt her cheeks burn.

She took a breath to steady herself and asked, "There is only a couple ways to get through a reunion." There. That was a start. What else would seem logical? How did she get through awkward situations? She started counting on her fingers. "One. Lots of alcohol. Two. A fabulous date." She laughed, turning to him. "Me." Opening her arms up in triumph.

He smiled back at her. "Thank you. I knew I could count on you,"  he said giving her a wink. 

"I'm your girl. I did say I'd help with anything." She laughed again, hoping it didn't sound as awkward as she was feeling. The lump in her throat was making it hard to talk, but she had to hide her real feelings. Slowly, she felt her heart crushing from the inside. Had the last few days just been to get her to help? Was he false? But she had to help him. It was her job.

If this was the "her," the one he'd written the song about, it would be a hard reunion for him. Trish was supposed to be guiding him and assisting him, helping him relax. Guess she was going to have to step up for this one. Trish tried covering her feelings again by saying, "There's nothing better than walking into a reunion with a friend on your arm."

He let out another breath. "Thank you. I was really worried about whether you would do this or not." Which made her head skip to another thought, were the last two days just to get her ready to be his "date" to face this other girl? She couldn't let her head go down that route again.

This adventure had taken a weird turn, and she couldn't think of any way out except to say, "You can count on me, In-ho. I'm your muse, remember?" Then she winked at him. His smile was her reward. No matter what happened, she would help him get through the awkward reunion. She had to, even if it crushed her in the end. It was her job after all. But this emotional back and forth was testing her.