Page 7 of Midnight Sun
“Of course, sir.”
Peter hurries to bring him the tasteful package with whatever jewelry he’d purchased.
“Here, sweetheart.” Jamie offers the package to Bev, while Peter flees the kitchen. “I guess I’ll have to find something else for your birthday.”
“What is it?” Bev’s eyes light up as she takes the package and plays with the ribbons.
“Look for yourself,” Jamie grins. He has no idea what’s inside. He just hopes Peter had enough sense to choose something classy.
He mustn’t have worried. Bev squeals as she unwraps a pair of teardrop diamond earrings.
“Oh, thank you, James. You shouldn’t have.”
“None of that. Try them on.”
She puts the earrings on and lets Jamie shower her with compliments. At least this is familiar territory for them. They share breakfast, and Bev makes small talk for both of them until Jamie looks at the clock and sighs.
“I have to get going if I want to make my flight.”
When he’s finally ready to leave, he kisses Bev goodbye at the door. It feels like the last time.
“Take care, James. Love you,” Bev whispers into the space between them.
“Have a pleasant trip back home, sweetheart.”
Jamie kisses her hand to distract her from the fact that he can't bring himself to say ‘I love you’ back to her. Then he’s on his way.
Chapter 2
Thorfinn
Finnyawnsandputsdown the book he’s been trying to read for the last fifteen minutes. He’s on a plane back home and the entire flight is delayed, waiting for one tardy passenger. Finn stretches his legs, grateful that Halldór’s sister booked them first-class tickets. He usually doesn't travel this comfortably.
“Is Hrafna always this generous to her crew or is this because we’re family?” Finn asks Halldór, who occupies the seat on the other side of the aisle, and grins at him.
“I wish. She treats you like one of her precious actors. She thinks your pretty fighting choreography, along with your historical knowledge, can gain her more recognition. You know how ambitious she is.”
Finn snorts. “You're ridiculous.”
Halldór lounges back in his seat. “Maybe. Did you finally get a text from your beau?”
Finn rolls his eyes.
“I didn't, if you must know. It was foolish to give my number to a guy I'd met for five minutes and who lives in another country. He was very cute, though.”
“Just you wait. Trust me, I had plenty of time to observe, hanging around there. He was watching you with this dreamy look people get when they're really into someone.”
“If you say so,” Finn hums, distracted by a glimpse of blond hair and a navy suit. He furrows his brows as he tries to get a better look at the man who’s ushered into the cabin by a steward. This must be the guy they’ve been waiting for. As they come closer, he gets a better look at the man and his pulse spikes.
“Fuck, that's him.”
“Who?” Halldór's fumbling with a bag of peanuts and doesn’t pay the newcomers any mind.
“Him!” Finn hisses and gestures not-so-subtly towards the approaching men.
Halldór looks up, and a slow grin stretches his lips. It never bodes well if he's feeling this smug.
“Thorfinn, you’re lucky as always. I suppose theHuldufólkare still grateful to you.”