The black car pulled up to the curb with a low, expensive purr. The driver grinned and opened the door for the Korean volleyball girls, who poured out in a flurry of glitter and perfume—Ji-hye, captain So-young, and the rest, still riding the high of Olympic victory. Ji-hye clutched her gold medal, fingers still not quite believing it was real, her body humming with exhaustion and excitement.
Joon-ho exited last, careful with his arm—bruised but healing—pausing a second to take in the scene. Barcelona's night air was cool and salt-bright, the Mediterranean wind blowing up over the rooftop club Valeria had claimed for her victory party.
