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“You look very American,” I teased.
“Really? This is very Norwegian. At least, my Norwegian style.”
“You look great. Astrid is with—”
“She left me a message,” she said, smiling. “I feel a little guilty for making her complicit in my misdeeds.”
“I just had this conversation with my mother,” I told her as we walked down the hall to the garage that housed a fleet of cars and SUVs. “She warned us to be careful in public.”
“I agree.”
I opened the garage door and started walking toward the convertible Benz that was mine.
“Wow!” She burst into laughter. “How many vehicles does your family own?”
I looked at the garage. “We’re a family of mostly adults,” I said, shrugging. “We all drive. Do you drive?”
She shook her head. “It’s not something I’m supposed to do. I have a car and driver wherever I go. I assumed you would as well.”
“Not when we’re here,” I said and opened the car door for her. “Like I said, we’re nothing like the rest of the society members. We have freedom and independence.”
I pushed the button to open the garage and backed out. Once outside, I put the top down. “Ready?”
“I am so thrilled to be riding in the front seat!”
I took her to my favorite coffee shop. Inside, I ordered us lattes and a couple of pastries, carefully selecting ones that I thought Emilie would enjoy. As we waited for our order, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. She looked stunning, as always, but I truly loved the stripped-down version of her.
Our lattes arrived, and I handed Emilie a cup, a playful grin on my face. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
She took a sip and her face lit up with delight. “Oh, this is wonderful! I mean, we have lattes in Norway, of course. I’ve just never had one before, and I’ve been missing out.”
I chuckled, taking a sip of my own latte. “I’m glad you like it. This is the way I love to start my mornings.”
Emilie nodded in agreement, savoring the flavors. “It’s so different from the Wed season events and formal gatherings. I love it.”
We sat at a small table outside, the cool morning breeze gently rustling the leaves of nearby trees. The world seemed to wake up around us, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect moment. Her eyes scanned the street, taking it all in.
“I wanted to show you this side of life because it’s the kind of life I want to share with you. Simple, genuine, and filled with moments like these.”
She met my gaze, her expression softening. “Theo, I appreciate it more than words can say. This is what I’ve been craving—a life that’s not dictated by titles and expectations. My schedule isn’t packed with teas and dinners and all that nonsense.”
I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. “Emilie, I want you to know that I’m here for you, not just as your match, but as someone who genuinely cares about you. I want us to build a life together that’s built on love, trust, and shared moments like this. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by duty, I’m going to be the one pulling you away from it and forcing you to take a break.”
Tears glistened in Emilie’s eyes. “Thank you.”
We strolled down the sidewalk, doing a little window shopping and enjoying each other’s company. “Are you ready for your next surprise?”
“I am,” she said, nodding. “We could sit on a park bench, and I would be thrilled.”
“How do you feel about going to a baseball game today?”
She turned to me, her expression a mix of intrigue and surprise. “A baseball game? I’ve never been to one, but it sounds like fun. The great American pastime, right?”
I chuckled. “Yep. There’s something about a baseball game that’s just so American. The atmosphere, the food, and, of course, the game itself.”
We made our way to the stadium, and as we entered, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs filled the air. Emilie was like a kid going to Disneyland for the first time. Her eyes wandered around the stadium, taking in the sight of the fans with their faces painted and wearing outfits that supported their team.
As the game progressed, we joined in the excitement, cheering for the home team, sharing a bag of peanuts, and ordering hot dogs. Emilie seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself, her laughter blending with the joyous atmosphere of the stadium. If anyone saw the prim princess eating a hotdog and shouting at the ump for a bad call, they would never believe she was the same Emilie from Norway.
