Page 17 of From Helsinki with Love
“It blows my mind that you do that.” Vivian blushes, so I continue. “It’s actually cool that we both have such unusual jobs. Don’t you think?”
“You make me sound like a rockstar, not a lawyer.”
“Like I said earlier, you’re both intelligent and attractive, and I find that enticing,” I comment, watching her reaction closely. “But your mind is what fascinates me the most.”
Her cheeks turn even redder as she shakes her head in disbelief. “You don’t even know me.”
“Maybe not fully,” I agree, “but you’ve revealed enough clues through our conversations for me to form a few opinions.”
“Care to share with the class?”
“You like learning new things, you don’t want to ask for help unless you really need it, and you enjoy life without taking everything too seriously. But at the same time, you have high expectations of yourself and your work.”
“I can’t believe you got all that from a few hours with me,” she replies incredulously.
I laugh at her expression and tone. “One thing hockey has taught me is that I need to be able to read the situation around me quickly, and I have enjoyed studying you.”
“Well, this is different from games you play on the field.”
“Rink,” I correct her with a smirk.
Recognizing her mistake, Vivian lets out a small laugh. “See? I told you—I speak no hockey.”
“Then allow me to teach you.” I wink playfully, a smile forming on my lips. “Like I said, you like to learn new things, so why not hockey? I’m sure your dad would be proud that you no longer mix up field and rink.”
With a shrug of her shoulders, she replies, “Why not?”
“Do you want your first lesson now, or should we watch a movie first?”
“Let’s do a movie first and then more hockey talk,” Vivian suggests.
“Sure. What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
“Close your eyes and don’t open them before I say it’s okay to do so.”
Once I have selected one of the latest releases to watch, we press play at the same time and spend the next two hours watching the movie together. I can’t explain it, but this moment right here with Vivian makes me feel completely at ease.
As the end credits scroll on both screens, I turn toward Vivian, expecting to see her asleep due to how comfortable she looked mid-movie. But to my surprise, she’s wide awake and staring at me.
“We should have talked about hockey first, because I couldn’t fully focus on the movie.”
I chuckle at her eagerness. “And here I thought you don’t enjoy the sport.”
“Maybe I would if I knew what happens inside a player’s head during the game.”
“Not much, to be honest. All of our focus needs to be in that moment. We leave everything behind when we step on the ice,” I explain. “Hockey is more than just a game. It’s a way of life and requires a lot of dedication and hard work to succeed.”
Vivian listens intently, nodding along as I speak. I can’t help but feel drawn to her—how her eyes light up with different emotions like excitement and how her lips curving upwards in a tempting smile make me wish I could see that more often. Not to forget that body of hers that makes me want to explore every inch of it.
I pause for a moment, considering my following words. “Would you, um, like to come to one of my games sometime? I could get you and your dad tickets if you don’t want to come alone.”
“Let’s see how the rest of the flight goes, and then I’ll tell you my answer,” she says, a hint of humor in her voice.
“Deal.”
WTF STANDS FOR WELCOME TO FINLAND
