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Hand in hand we made our way up to the car and drove into the next town in search of a restaurant.

I loved having the freedom to hold, hug, and kiss him whenever I wanted. But it hurt me to think how much I craved that at home.

“Arne?” A woman’s voice made us both turn around.

“Johanne!” My viking beamed and hurried to hug her, babbling away in rapid, musical Danish. I loved hearing the language, but a pang of jealousy laced through me.

“Max, meet Johanne,” Arne introduced her in English. “We went to school together. Johanne, this is my partner, Max.”

I only just stopped my jaw from dropping on my chest.

“Hej, it’s so nice to meet you.” Taking me by surprise, she hugged me, too.

“Hey, the pleasure is mine.”

“Are you here to spend Christmas with Ida and Aksel?” Johanne enquired when she’d let go of me.

“Yes. We wanted a quiet holiday this year. I thought Max would enjoy the beach house.”

“Oh, I hope you do.” The woman grinned at me. “I designed it. I’m an interior designer,” she explained.

“It’s beautiful. You’ve done a great job.”

“Thank you, Max.” Her smile turned radiant.

“Well, merry Christmas to you. I hope you have a wonderful time together. It was lovely seeing you, Arne.” She hugged first me, then him, and excused herself.

“Ready for dinner, baby?” He turned to me with a smile on his face.

“You just told your friend that I am your partner.” I still felt a little numb and confused.

“I did. Johanne won’t blab about us online.”

“Did you date her in school?”

Arne cocked a heavy eyebrow at me. “Maximilian Gruber,” he muttered, stepping nearer and hugging me around the waist. “Are you jealous of a woman I might have dated fifteen years ago?”

“No,” I croaked.

“God, Baby. You are so cute.” He nuzzled his nose into my hair. “Johanne and I went to a school dance together and then had one date at the cinema. It was as awkward as only a date between two sixteen-year-old kids can be.” He brushed the shell of my ear with his lips. “It’s one of my best achievements in life that we just went back to being friends after that.”

“I’ve never stayed friends with anyone I dated.”

“Let me take you out for dinner now, okay?” Arne kissed my neck.

We entered a sleek place that offered a variety of dishes. A risotto with mushrooms caught my eye, and I ordered it from a nice waiter with a tail.

“What’s wrong, baby?” he whispered, scooting up the bench so he was right next to me. His hand found my leg under the table, squeezing me gently.

“Nothing,” I brushed him off, avoiding his gaze and pretending to focus on my food. It was delicious, but I barely noticed.

“Hey.” Arne snatched my hand out of the air and brought it to his mouth. A soft, slightly scratchy kiss landed on my palm. “Tell me what’s wrong, my love.”

“Fuck.” A tear spilled from my eye, and I impatiently brushed it away.

“Baby, hey.” He scooted even closer, pressing the length of his thigh against mine. He kept my fingers in his and slipped his other arm around my back. “Tell me what’s wrong. Please.” His scruffy cheek rubbed against my shoulder.

“It’s nothing,” I bit out, my voice cracking, and then the words tumbled out of my mouth. “I hate that we can just be ourselves here but that we have to hide from others when we’re at home.”