Page 91 of When Annika Met Thom

“Here, of course! I’m bringing him with me.”

“But you won’t get a hotel room when you have a ferret,” Thom said, his tone practical.

“I told them he was a weasel.”

“I have a better idea,” he said smoothly. “I have a new place. You can crash here if you want.”

Annika caught her breath. “Just until I find a place?”

“If that’s what you want.” He paused. “Longer, if you’d rather.”

Annika started to smile. “Roommates?”

“Sure. It’s big enough for two.”

“Would that make us friends or lovers?”

“Your choice,” he said.

“What would you choose?”

His voice dropped to a growl. “Do you have to ask?”

Annika laughed. “I missed you.”

“I missed you,” Thom said immediately and with such resolve that Annika was thrilled. “I’m glad you called.”

“But not that I’m coming to New York,” she teased.

He scoffed. “When does your train get in?”

“In about forty minutes.”

“But you mean the Penn Station in the city, right?”

“Is there more than one?”

“You need to get off at the Penn Station in New Jersey.”

“But then, where…”

“I’ll be there,” he said, interrupting her again.

Annika wanted to laugh out loud. “But no flowers.”

“Just something else to carry,” he said, just as he had once before, then his voice dropped lower. “They’ll be here, waiting for you.”

Annika’s heart was leaping. She gave him the information about her train and checked the time they would arrive at the New Jersey station.

“I’ll be there,” Thom repeated firmly.

“I know,” Annika said. “I can count on that.” She caught her breath and dared to say it out loud. “That’s part of what I love about you.”

Thom was silent for a moment, as if she’d surprised him, and when he spoke, his words were hoarse. “We can talk about that later,” he murmured and she agreed.

Thirty minutes later, Annika was at the door of the train, waiting for it to stop on the platform. She had her suitcase and briefcase again this time, as well as Percival’s cage, and her purse slung over her shoulder. Her mom was going to ship the rest of her clothes once she had an address.

The train slowed, the wheels squealing, and the conductor opened the door to call the station. Annika tried to hurry, since he’d told her it was a short stop. He lifted her suitcase to the platform for her and she descended with the briefcase and cage until someone lifted the bag out of her hand.

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