Had he told me and I forgot?
“I’m sorry. Did you tell me they were coming?”
“No…because I didn’t know,” he responded, but his focus was still very much on what he was reading on his phone.
“Oh.”Wow, Stella, way to sound intelligent.
“Ruthie said they stopped by the office, but she told them I was picking up necessities.”
I snorted at Ruthie’s priorities.
“Apparently, they are headed back to their hotel to nap since the jetlag is hitting them hard. I am supposed to meet them for dinner.” His voice was very monotone, as though he was reading from a script.
I didn’t know what to say because I knew he didn’t have the best relationship with his parents.
“Do you want to have dinner with them?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” he said, finally looking up at me. “Do you want to come with me?”
“I will if you really want me to, but I’m guessing if this was a last-minute trip, it might be for an important reason, so I don’t want to intrude,” I told him.
I didn’t want him to think I didn’t care, but I was worried there was something wrong, and since they didn’t know me, I might make things more awkward.
“Why don’t you meet with them tonight and see what they want to talk about, and I can meet them for breakfast in the morning after you’ve had a chance to see why they are here,” I offered.
“That sounds good. Thank you.” He brought his arms back around my waist and kissed my cheek. “Are you staying late tonight?”
“Yes, and I think since you are going out with your parents, I will have a girls’ night with Luna. We haven’t had one in a while. But if the conversation with your folks goes bad, call me, and I can come meet you somewhere.”
“Thank you. I’m sure it will be fine, but I will call you if I’m wrong,” he said, a small smile played at his mouth. “I’m off to get somenecessitiesfor Ruthie’s baby. I’ll talk to you later,älskling.”
God, I loved it when he called me that. It was such a simple thing, but it made my heart soar. One of my favorite things was when he would switch back and forth between Swedish andEnglish when we made love. His endearments and sweet words were like food for my soul. I only wish I knew what he was saying at the time and I didn’t have to ask him later.
“Okay, just text me later to let me know when and where to meet you for breakfast,” I said as he walked back toward the front of the bakery.
It took me a few moments to realize that I had just been standing in place, my hands covered in sticky dough, staring off into space and thinking of Axel. There was also a smile on my face that seemed to be there way more often nowadays.
It wasn’t that I was a sad person before by any means. I enjoyed my bakery, loved my friends and coworkers dearly, and was happy I had moved closer to home, but being with Axel brought out a happiness in me that I had never truly felt before.
I loved that I didn’t have to wonder where I stood with him. He wasn’t fake. He told it like it was—as long as he understood whatitwas—including telling me how he felt about me. He was open about having a future with me, which was why he hadn’t wanted to spend our nights apart.
I found myself daydreaming about him often, especially while I was baking or creating things in the kitchen, and I loved it. I realized I loved him, but I still felt it was too early to tell him. We’d only known each other a little over a month.
Half an hour later, I was out front with Luna, loading more almond cakes andNapoleonbakelserinto the display case, when Milo walked in.
We both waved and greeted him as he came to see what items we were stocking.
“So, what are you and Axel up to tonight?” Luna sing-songed her question to me.
“His parents are actually in town, so he is going to have dinner with them,” I told her, hesitating whether to share more.
I wanted to ask her thoughts on the situation but decided I would wait until I had met them tomorrow morning so I could get more information.
“I was actually thinking we could catch up and have a girls’ night tonight,” I told her. “Facemasks, some wine, maybe paint our nails?”
“What, no invite to paint my nails too?” Milo asked with mock offense. “I see how it is. Well afterthissnub of the year…guess who’snotinvited to my Dungeons and Dragons party next week?”
He paused and then held out both pointer fingers at each of us. “Boom! You two!”
