Page 49 of Choose Me

He may be too paternal at times, but right now, I could kiss Bjorn for being so considerate. Jules’ eyes flick to mine. “Don’t pay any attention to her stories. They’re all lies.”

Astrid snorts. “Just for that, we’ll make a special stop at the family photo albums. I’ll show you all Erik’s embarrassing baby pictures.” Jules’ laugh is a balm and I relax, knowing Astrid will make him comfortable.

When we can hear them headed away. Gunnar makes a low whistle. “Wow.”

I frown. “What’s that mean?”

Gunnar shrugs. “He’s still so quiet. I guess I assumed he’d grow out of that.”

I glare, closer than I’ve ever been to lashing out at him. “Jules has come a long way, Gunnar. He’s not used to being here, and it’s throwing him off. Please be nice.” What I really want to tell him is to fuck off and stop being a dick. As if he’s reading my thoughts, Bjorn’s shoulders tense. Shit. Getting him involved would only escalate things. I don’t want the fighting. Especially not around Jules. Plus, Gary is sitting right here, and Astrid will kill us if we make a bad impression. “He’s much better than he was. He’s been working on it.”

Gunnar glances at Bjorn, like he can sense the tension he’s caused, and tries to de-escalate. “Yeah, you know, I’ll give him that. He is better than he was. He even looked me in the eye. He could never do that in school.” I blink, surprised at Gunner’s unexpected concession.

Maybe sensing the tense truce, Gary redirects the conversation. “So, Erik, I know Gunnar is an architect and Bjorn is a cop. What is it you do?”

With a last glance after Jules and Astrid, I turn my focus on keeping Gary entertained. If Jules hadn’t wanted to go with Astrid, nothing would have forced him to. “Um, I’m a part owner of a local hiking and camping excursions company.” Now that I’m getting used to the idea, It’s kind of cool to say I own the company and I’m not just an employee. “I recently bought in, so I’ll be starting in January.”

“You do camping and hiking in winter?” Gary’s shock tells me he’s not local.

I lean against the counter and sip my beer. “You’re not from the area, are you?”

“Nope. Born and raised in Michigan, but spent most of my adult life trying out different places. I’m currently living the nomad life in a tricked out RV, going wherever the wind takes me.” He winks, but not in a sleazy kind of way. “Ah, the life of a full-time author. I can do my job from wherever I want.”

“Nice! It’s kind of what I love about my job. No one micromanaging me. Every day is different, and I’m out of the office most of the time. Though, I suppose now that I own part of a company, that’ll change. But to answer your earlier question, winter hikes can be challenging, but they’re beautiful. You just have to pack extra socks and try your best to keep everything dry.”

Gary grimaces. “If you love it, more power to you. I’m not much of an outdoor kind of guy. Plop me in front of my laptop and let me write, or let me hang out with people. I’m one of those rare authors who’s an extrovert. Many of my colleagues don’t like to do the whole social thing, but I love it. I get my energy and lots of story ideas from being around people.”

We’re interrupted as Astrid and Jules come back into the kitchen. My eyes go directly to Jules, but he’s laughing and his shit-eating grin matches my sister’s. Before I can ask what’s up, Astrid slips back into her seat next to Gary and bumps him with her shoulder. “Yes, that is why we have such ridiculously large book launch parties for Gary. He insists on making a statement.”

He bumps her back. “I like to meet my readers. I like them to put a face with my name, and to hear what they have to say about my books.”

Astrid snorts. “You like the hoopla and the booze.”

Gary throws back his head and laughs. “You’re making me sound like a lush in front of your family.”

While they continue to banter, I step closer to Jules and put my arm around him. “You okay?”

I kiss the top of his head and he rolls his body into my embrace, pressing close and squeezing me tightly. I don’t think anything of it until I realize the room is quiet and everyone’s staring at us. Okay, Gunnar and Bjorn are staring. Astrid is grinning like a Cheshire Cat, obviously proud of herself.

“Jules and I had a lovely tour of the house.” She winks at him, and while I’m relieved and happy about his matching grin, it also has me worried.

“Oh?” I try to keep the fear out of my voice. I know my sister.

Jules chuckles. “She showed me your photo album.”

“Astrid.” I try to put all of my displeasure into her name, but she’s unfazed.

He nudges me in the side. “I forgot about your Justin Bieber haircut.”

Gunnar snorts and moves past me with an armful of dishes. “‘Scuse me Biebs.”

“Fuck off.” But I can’t help laughing. If showing embarrassing photos of me helps Jules relax, she can humiliate me all she wants. I’ll happily drag the album out again and again. Astrid jumps up and starts gathering silverware and follows Gunnar into the dining room. I stay put, my arms wrapped comfortably around Jules, and ignore Bjorn’s raised eyebrow.

Gary turns toward us. “So Jules, what do you do?”

Jules stiffens and squeezes me tighter, but he doesn’t freeze for long. His voice comes out softly, but he answers. “I’m a forester with the USDA.” I want to tell him how proud I am of him, but I worry he’ll think that’s patronizing. Is it patronizing? I don’t mean it that way. He’s just struggled for so long, and has worked so hard to overcome his anxiety, that I’m so happy for him when he wins. Like now.

When it seems like that’s all he’s going to say, I fill in the growing silence. “He spends a lot of his time out in the woods, rain or shine, snow or heat, just like me.” I give him a little squeeze. “But that’s what we love. The outdoors is in our blood.”

---