Weekends at Tae’s house had become almost routine. Mimi and Jungkook would come over, Yoongi would join them, and the four of them would eat, drink, and laugh like the close-knit family they had always been. On the surface, nothing seemed unusual. Two lifelong best friends and their grown sons enjoying each other’s company.

But underneath the warmth of laughter and clinking glasses, there were hidden currents. Lingering eyes. Brushed hands. Stolen moments that no one else noticed.

That evening, Tae had set up the patio with lights strung along the fence, a chilled bottle of wine on the table, and the smell of grilled meat drifting through the air. Mimi arrived in her signature short dress, legs bare, hair down in soft waves. Jungkook followed, casual in a white tee that hugged his chest. Yoongi had already been helping Tae in the kitchen, and when Mimi saw him, she smiled warmly, though her cheeks flushed just the faintest pink.

“Always the helper, hm?” Mimi teased him.

Yoongi shrugged, setting a plate on the table. “I don’t mind. Mama makes me work for my dinner.”

The way his eyes held hers as he said it made Mimi’s chest tighten. She looked away quickly, but Yoongi’s smirk said he noticed.

As the evening went on, they fell into easy conversation. Tae and Mimi gossiped about neighbors, sipping wine with their legs crossed, their dresses riding up just enough to draw both boys’ attention. Jungkook’s gaze trailed to Tae more often than it should, and whenever Yoongi’s eyes flicked toward Mimi, his expression softened in a way he couldn’t quite hide.

At one point, Tae excused herself to fetch more drinks. Jungkook followed a minute later, slipping into the kitchen where she stood with her back to him, bending to grab a bottle from the lower shelf. His eyes instantly dropped, drinking in the curve of her ass under her dress.

When she straightened, he was right behind her. Too close.

“Kook,” she murmured, heart skipping. “What are you doing in here?”

“Helping,” he whispered, reaching past her for the bottle—but his fingers brushed against hers, deliberately slow. His breath tickled her ear as he leaned closer. “You know, noona… you shouldn’t bend like that in front of me. It’s torture.”

Tae froze, pulse racing, and turned just enough to meet his smirk. She opened her mouth to scold him, but no words came. He winked before stepping back, leaving her flushed and rattled as he carried the bottle outside.

Meanwhile, on the patio, Yoongi sat beside Mimi, close enough that their shoulders brushed every time she shifted. When Mimi laughed at something Tae said, Yoongi leaned in and murmured, “You have the prettiest laugh, you know that?”

Mimi blinked, caught off guard. “Yoongi…” she whispered, her cheeks burning.

He only smiled, sipping his drink like he hadn’t just said something wildly inappropriate.

Later, when Mimi went inside to grab a napkin, Yoongi followed. She turned, surprised. “Need something, honey?”

“Yeah,” he said smoothly, taking a step closer. His hand brushed hers when he reached for the napkins, lingering a moment too long. “Just… wanted to make sure you’re okay. You look tired.”

Her heart fluttered. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”

But when their eyes met, something heavy, forbidden passed between them. She had to turn away before she drowned in it.

As the night wore on, the four of them sat around the patio table, wine glasses half-full, laughter mixing with the chirping of crickets. Mimi sighed after a long sip.

“I was thinking,” she began, “about going to see my parents next weekend. It’s been too long since I visited.”

“That’s a good idea,” Tae agreed, adjusting her glass. “But are you going alone? I don’t want you traveling by yourself.”

Mimi waved her off. “It’s just a few hours’ drive. Don’t bother Yoongi. He’s busy.”

But before Tae could speak again, Yoongi leaned forward, lips quirking into a smirk. “I’ve got no problem. I’m totally free.”

His eyes locked on Mimi’s as he said it, steady and unflinching. Mimi’s cheeks heated instantly, and though she tried to hide it by looking down at her wine, Yoongi noticed. Of course he noticed.

Tae chuckled, oblivious. “See? That settles it. Yoongi can take you. I’ll feel better knowing you’re not on the road alone.”

Mimi forced a smile, but her heart was pounding. She could still feel Yoongi’s gaze on her like a touch.

When the night wound down, Mimi gathered her things while Tae walked her to the door. Jungkook lingered behind in the kitchen, waiting for his moment. Tae was rinsing glasses when she felt him step close, the warmth of his body brushing her back.

He leaned down, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, “So… I guess it’s just us for a few days. Without my mama. Without Yoongi.”

Tae froze, her breath catching. She turned her head slightly, eyes wide, but before she could reply, he had already stepped back with a sly grin, carrying his jacket.

Moments later, Mimi and Jungkook left together, the sound of their car fading into the night.

Tae stood in the kitchen, glass still in her hand, her heart pounding with a dangerous mixture of fear and excitement.

And in her own car, Mimi kept her gaze on the road, pretending not to notice how her cheeks were still warm from the way Yoongi had looked at her.

The forbidden bonds were tightening. And soon, there would be no turning back.