Page 22
Beryl
“ L et’s go unpack the car. I want a quiet weekend with you,” I told Kjartan after the delicious dinner he made for us.
“A quiet weekend…in bed?” he asked, pulling me into a hug.
“Yes. Although it might not be so quiet after all.”
We both snorted like an old married couple.
When I checked my phone, I had a new message from my best friend.
“Just a second, okay? Rhys texted me.”
Kjartan steered me to the couch and covered my feet with a blanket. Then he bent down to kiss my forehead. “Love you,” he whispered, before he left to grab the first boxes from the car.
“Love you, too.” I swooned after him for a moment, then picked up my phone.
Rhys: I met the dog guy at the fair!
Rhys: Liam
Rhys: I took your advice
He’d sent a grimacing emoji after that.
Bee: OH GODS
Bee: You fucked him?!
Rhys: Yup
Rhys: Well, he fucked me
Bee: tmi much?
Rhys: Just for the sake of accuracy
Rhys: Did you know Brownies have ridges?
Bee: On their candy canes?
Rhys: He’s not a Christmas elf, Bee!
Rhys: But yes
Rhys: You have no idea *sighs*
Bee: I’m so happy for you
Bee: You got a good dicking to help ease the stress
I snorted to myself and snuggled up in my fluffy plaid. I love this couch. It was a little embarrassing how happy a piece of furniture made me.
Rhys: And cuddles
Rhys: I had no idea how great cuddling is
Rhys: Did I mention that Brownies also have hair?
Rhys: LOTS of hair?
Bee: Jeez, Rhys lol I didn’t need to know that
Bee: I am a fan of cuddling, though
Bee: Especially with a big boy
Rhys: He’s enormous
Bee: RHYS!
Rhys: I couldn’t help myself
Bee: Will you see him again?
Rhys: We exchanged numbers…
Rhys: But I don’t think so
Rhys: You know I don’t date
Bee: Babe, come on
Bee: Give him a chance
“Is everything alright, Vindur?” Kjartan put the box down by the bookshelf, sat down, and invited me into his arms.
“Yes, my love.” I kissed his cheek, snuggling into his side.
Yep, cuddling is the best.
“Sorry, I’ll help you with the boxes in a minute.”
“Don’t worry about it. You had an exciting day and made that lovely dinner for us. I don’t mind carrying a bit of our things inside.”
“Rhys met a guy at the trade fair up in Inverness. They knew each other from a wedding they’d both worked on, and I know he’s had a crush on the man since then.”
“Did it not go well when they saw each other again?” he asked, rubbing my upper arm.
How does he always know when I’m upset?
“I think it went quite well, but Rhys… you’ve met him, he’s—”
“Lonely,” Kjartan finished my sentence.
“Yes, and he is such a good person. He deserves happiness, and it makes me sad that he doesn’t believe that.”
“I didn’t believe it until I met you. Maybe it’s the same for him.”
Help, I’m melting!
“I hope so,” I said, scrambling to straddle my man’s lap and kiss him. “Gods, I love doing life with you.”
“So do I. You are mine, Vindur.”
“Yeah.” I nibbled on his bottom lip. “I’m yours.”
We fooled around on the couch for a while before we emptied the truck together and unpacked the boxes. Just one more trip left.
I still couldn’t believe that I got to share this beautiful house with my hunk in the Highlands. Waking up next to him was the best thing in the world. And then there would be Breeze & Beans. The cafe I would manage in the space I had discovered all those months ago.
“I didn’t believe it until I met you.” That was what Kjartan had said earlier, and it had been the same for me. I had never believed that I would have all this: a loving man, a beautiful home, and a job I adored.
Life is good.
“What are you smiling about?” Kjartan asked, his voice as soft and warm as his hug.
“You,” I said without missing a beat. “You, this place, and the cafe. How much I love my life.”
“I never thought I would ever agree with you about that. It is so good, isn’t it?”
I believed every word. He’d started opening up about his time in the guerrilla army in his homeland recently. He had felt safe enough to tell me at last.
“It is, my love. With you, it is.”