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“Are you happy to be home?” I asked.
Emilie’s enthusiasm was obvious. “Yes!” Her eyes sparkled with joy as she pointed out various landmarks and told me stories about her homeland. “We’re going to our summer home. It’s my favorite residence.”
“I would have thought you would like the palace,” I said. “I’ve seen pictures of the place. It’s stunning.”
“The palace is very nice, but it’s so… I don’t know, big. Cold. It’s not a home, it’s a museum. We have tours through one part of it. It’s so big. It’s easy to get lost in there.”
I nodded. I could understand how it would be a bit much. My family’s home was large, but it wasn’t overly large. We didn’t need maps to find our way to the kitchen. After Roman’s wedding, that was exactly what happened to me while visiting one of the palaces he was going to be calling home.
Our destination was a secluded property tucked away in the heart of Norway’s natural beauty. It was a serene and peaceful place, far removed from the chaos of urban life. As expected, the property was gated and heavily protected. As we pulled up the long driveway, I admired the beauty of what looked like miles of flowers.
“Here we are,” Emilie announced with a wide smile as the car pulled up to a large white house. It was nestled amidst a forest of towering trees with a fence made of stone covered in moss. The style and the slight lean made me think the fence was very old.
We climbed out of the car, giving me my first chance to really take it all in. The smell of wood and earth hung in the air, and the gentle rustling of leaves made me a little homesick. I could smell the sea and was certain I could hear it in the distance. It was absolutely gorgeous. A lot colder than back home. And it was lusher but equally beautiful.
“This is your and Jack’s house,” Emilie said, gesturing toward a charming cottage across the manicured lawn. “Astrid and I will be staying at the house across the property.”
The house Jack and I were going to be staying in was a cozy, two-story structure, adorned with flower boxes filled with vibrant blooms. I could hear the distant call of birds in the trees. It was a slice of paradise. I understood why she loved it here.
While I was happy to sleep just about anywhere, I was a little disappointed to know we weren’t going to be staying in the same house. I hoped this trip would give us a chance to spend some time together and get to know each other better. In my mind, this was our make-or-break moment.
“Emilie,” I began, trying to think of the right way to pose the question. “I’ve been wondering why we’re not staying together in the same house. I mean, it would be more convenient, wouldn’t it?”
She looked away. There was a pause before she finally spoke, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of sadness. “Theo, I’d rather keep my distance.”
Her words stung. I thought she was going to say it was improper or something like that. “Is something wrong?” I asked, trying to hide the hurt in my voice.
Emilie turned her gaze toward me, her eyes searching mine. “No, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that I need my space, Theo. It’s how I’ve always been. I don’t like having people around all the time. When I’m here, it’s nice to enjoy the solitude. When I’m with my parents, we are constantly surrounded by servants and secretaries. There are always people visiting. I like being alone.”
“It’s a big-ass house,” I said. “I don’t think I would be in your way.”
“I think it’s important we understand what this is and not try to make it something it’s not.”
I nodded slowly, trying to understand. “I see,” I replied, my voice softer. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I’ll see you around.”
I wasn’t going to beg. I had some pride. If she didn’t want me in her space, that was fine with me.
She offered a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you for understanding, Theo. I do think we are compatible.”
That wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. Compatibility wasn’t love. “Okay, then. Should I shake your hand or bow?”
“Don’t be angry,” she said. “I’ve been up front with you about what this was.”
“Yes, I know. We’re compatible. At least, you think we’re compatible. I guess your definition of compatible is different than mine, but whatever.”
“I’ll see you in the morning,” she said. “If you need anything, there’s a phone that calls the head of security. He can help you with anything.”
I forced a tight smile. She was making sure I didn’t bother her. It was adding insult to injury. I forced the dark thoughts away. I had to at least try to make this work. I knew there was a spark between us. I felt like I was looking at Mount Everest.
One step at a time. There was a spark and all I had to do was practice patience and fan it and give it a chance to blossom. I just hoped I had the patience it was going to take.
Astrid was waiting for Emilie near the front door. I watched them disappear inside.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked quietly.
“Yep. I shouldn’t have expected anything different. Let’s check this place out.”
As Jack and I walked through the massive front door of the smaller house, I couldn’t help but be awestruck by the sheer grandeur of the place. The architecture was amazing. It was obviously very, very old. I loved it. Dark beams stretched across the vaulted ceiling.
