Chapter 12

Yunho was struggling with a pan of frying eggs when the phone rang, “Hello?” He grabbed the phone & held it to his ear with his shoulder as he ran back to the stove to stir the eggs. Judging from the way they were browning around the edges & all the smoke, he was doing something wrong.

“Sounds like you are a little busy?” He heard Hyoyeon’s voice on the other end of the line.

“Just a little.” He told her, turning off the heat & going in search of a plate. Finally, finding one, he the fan & was ready to put the eggs on the plate. Unfortunately, he forgot to use a towel to pick up the pan, “Dammit!” He yelled, dropping the pan back on the stove. The phone hit the floor. Scrambling for it, he placed it to his ear, “Hyoyeon, I'm sorry. I gotta go. I will call you later.” With that, he clicked off the phone & ran for the frying pan. This time, he wrapped the handle in a towel before attempting to pick it up.

Once the eggs were safely on the plate, he examined them more closely. They were a bit dry & decidedly browner. He turned & headed towards the trash with the plate. Unfortunately, those had been the last of the eggs.

“Don't throw those away.” Yuri appeared at the kitchen door.

“You sure?” Yunho asked, glancing up to greet her, “I already owe you a t-shirt that says I survived Yunho’s cooking.”

Yuri laughed at him, “I think I can handle it. After three months, perhaps I have built up an immunity.”

Yunho laughed, “Maybe.” Turning, he presented the rest of his breakfast offering, “The cinnamon roll waffles is cold, the tea is probably warm & we won't discuss the eggs. Still game?”

“I'm easy.” Yuri told him.

Yunho shot her a look but said nothing.

“Your office phone rang a few minutes ago.” Yuri spoke up, as she came to help him with the plates, “I didn't know if you wanted me to answer it.”

Yunho frowned, “No.” He told her, “There's probably a message. I will check it later.” Then changing the subject, “How's your side?”

“A little tender.” Yuri said, “But much better. Just no more wrestling.”

“Scouts honor.” Yunho told her.

“Do you have the list?”

“I thought you had the list.”

“No, I gave it to you.”

“You did?”

“Of course I did, remember? In the kitchen when you couldn't find the…”

“Oh, right.” Yunho smiled sheepishly & pulled the list from his levi’s 505 regular-fit dark-stonewash jeans pocket, “See, what would I do without you?”

“Run out of eggs.” Yuri informed him, “& often.”

“Mmm.” Yunho agreed, leaning over to start the car.

Pausing, he asked, “You want to drive?”

“What? You can't find the ignition?” Yuri .

“No.” Yunho assured her, with a laugh, “That call in my office was from the garage. They say that your car will be ready tomorrow. I thought maybe you had like to get used to the city before we went to pick it up.” Yuri glanced away from him, wondering at the panicky feeling that settled in the pit of her stomach, “Ah...no, that's okay. I'm comfortable with you driving.” Avoiding the curious glances he was giving her, she turned to stare out of the window.

“You don't sound too sure of that.” He commented.

“Well, if your cooking is any indication.”

“Haha.” Yunho said dryly.

Yuri smiled, pushing her unease aside. She had been enjoying Yunho’s company & didn't want to ruin it by allowing her fear to resurfaces. Settling back into the seat, she asked which grocery store they were heading to. Yunho assured her that it was far more than a grocery store, “This place put the super in supermarket.”

Yuri could tell by his sarcasm that this wasn’t