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Miriam loops her arm through mine as she turns towards the house, almost conspiratorially, she says, “He’s such a spoilsport.”
“I can hear you,” George calls.
“I know,” she sing-songs back, winking at me.
George chuckles at his wife’s antics. “Our youngest is joining us later this evening as well. Jensen is an actor. He’s based in LA, but his work has him traveling all over the world. I think you and him will get along great, Sebastian. Plus, you’re all about the same age, so you won’t need to hang out with us old farts all the time.”
“Come, let’s get you two settled in and then we can introduce you to our middle child, Daniel and his wife, Sophie,” Miriam commands.
I can already tell this is going to be an eventful week.
We’re led through the front door and into the hallway, which has a vaulted ceiling that showcases a crystal chandelier. Ahead of us is a staircase that leads to the second level of the house. It sweeps up the center of the room, like a statement piece.
With her arm still linked with mine, Miriam leads us up the stairs. “We’ve put you in the guest bedroom. It has its own bathroom and is away from the other rooms, so you can be sure you have complete privacy.”
Bedroom. As in we’re sharing a room.
“I thought we would be staying in separate rooms,” I murmur.
Miriam chuckles. “We aren’t stuffy like that, dear. Honestly, you’re young and in love. We wouldn’t want you feeling like you have to sneak around. We’reveryopen in this house.”
Great.
Just what I need, to share a room with a man I have no self control around. I mean, this morning was a prime example of how easy I am around him.
We make our way to the guest room with Miriam and George chatting about the history of the house and telling stories of their children. It’s obvious they love their family and that it’s important to them. The whole time, Sebastian is in a weird funk, hardly saying a word to anyone. It worries me, but I’m too busy carrying the conversation to be able to ask him what’s wrong.
When we arrive at the door, Miriam opens it with a flourish, her dress fluttering around her as she prances into the room.
Like the rest of the house, it’s beautiful.
Heavy drapes hang around the window, a king size bed sits against the back wall with pillows and a throw in fall colors spread over it. It looks so inviting. My eyes roam around the room in search of a couch, or something that I can sleep on, but I come up short.
Fuck.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Miriam points to the door next to the bed and whispers, “The bathroom is through there and it has a wonderful view of the lake from the tub, which can fit at least two people in. Also, don’t worry about anyone peeping in. We have a privacy film on the window.”
She hunches her shoulders in excitement before walking to the door with George, blowing us a kiss.
George looks at the watch on his wrist. “I’ll come and collect you in two hours.”
With the door closed behind them, neither Sebastian nor I say a word until we’re convinced they’ve gone. I move toward the bed, flopping onto my back as I blow out a breath.
I think I’m in over my head here.
They’re so nice and I feel so bad for lying to them.
Sebastian sits on the bed next to me. “You okay?”
“Not really. I feel bad.”
He nods his head but doesn’t say anything else. Instead, giving me the space to think over what we’re doing. When I can’t take the silence or closeness anymore, I climb from the bed, grabbing my bag on my way to the bathroom. I come to a stop in the doorway as I call over my shoulder, “I’ll sleep on the floor. I don’t think it’s wise that we share a bed.”
Closing the door behind me, I don’t give him a chance to respond.
I come up short as I take in the bathroom. It's like something out of a home and country magazine, with its wooden floors and white furnishings. Along one wall is a white marble topped unit that houses the sinks, with the toilet next to it. Opposite to that is the walk-in shower, with a glass wall to close it off. Under the window that covers the whole of the back wall, floor to ceiling, is the bath. And what a bath it is. Through the window you can see the expanse of lawn that leads to the dark blue water of Lake Geneva.
With the clawfoot tub filling up, I stand in front of the window taking in the scenery. It’s peaceful here. I can’t wait to explore the area, anything to avoid having to lie to Miriam and George’s faces anymore than necessary.
