Page 49 of All I Want Is Love
I am amazed by how welcoming this town is. There was one older farmer we visited, who didn’t look too thrilled, but was still kind to me. I assume he truly respects Soren’s work and help, and hence also respects his life choices.
One of his clients has a small alpaca farm with a tiny alpaca baby named Snowflake just having been born. It was the most adorable thing ever. Now, obviously, I am obsessed with alpacas.
“One day I want an alpaca.”
Soren hides his face behind his hand and laughs. “I knew you would say that. You were obsessed with Snowflake.”
“She is the cutest!” I beam. “Actually, all of them were. They just have those silly, yet adorable faces.” Barkley seems not to like me talking about another pet, because he instantly comes trotting towards me and shoves his gigantic head against my arm. I make sure to cuddle him immediately. “Don’t worry, you are still the bestest boy with the scrunchiest, cutest face.”
Soren laughs even more. “Okay, maybe one day we will get you an alpaca.”
Butterflies chase through my stomach like every time he hints at a potential future together. I haven’t known him for long, but there is no denying that I fell completely in love with him. He and his silly little jokes and his quirky pajamas, his serious expression when he is worried, and how passionate he is about his job and his hobbies.
My phone signals an incoming message. “Robin,” I mutter, confused when I open the message.
Hey, you free tonight? Just for a chat…
Then a second message.
I know you are going on a hike tomorrow. You are probably with Soren.
Then a third.
Sorry, forget that I asked.
“Everything alright?” Soren asks.
“I am not sure,” I say, before re-reading the messages again. If I have learned one thing about Robin, it’s that he writes like he talks, and adds lots of emojis to his texts. These three don’t even have a single one. I contemplate showing the message to Soren, but Robin wrote to me, and I don’t want to break his trust. He could have written Aspen or Soren, his best friends, but he didn’t. Maybe there is a reason for that, something he doesn’t want to share with them.
“You think he isn’t okay,” Soren analyzes. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“During our night out,” I say. “He was fine there… I don’t know, Soren, does it sound weird when I say his messages just sound like he is sad?”
“Okay, suggestion.” Soren pulls me into his arms until I sit down on his lap and straddle him. I immediately wrap my arms around his neck. “You go and meet Robin—"
“But I promised you we’d go for dinner,” I mutter. I hate leaving him hanging and going back on my word, but I also would hate to leave Robin hanging.
“It’s about priorities,” Soren says. “I am happy you consider me one, but sometimes if things happen, it’s important to prioritize friends or family or even work.”
It’s so simple when he says it. “You are right,” I say. “I don’t know why I always immediately slip into this guilty state of mind. It’s like whenever I need to make a decision that could potentially hurt somebody, I freeze.”
“But I am not hurt,” he reassures me. “Robin is my friend too, and if he has problems, I am glad he can share them with someone. I am happy he trusts you. I think…” His voice trails off.
“You think?”
“I think he sometimes has difficulties connecting with Aspen and me, or maybe it’s more complicated than that. Maybe it’s just in his head, but that’s obviously how he feels. He has been over the moon ever since you arrived here, and you two started connecting.”
“He told me the same,” I admit. “And I am worried now.” I groan in frustration. “I really have a tendency to avoid conflict. It terrifies me. I hate being a people pleaser.”
“Okay, let’s make a deal,” Soren says. “If I ever feel you ditch me or don’t prioritize me enough, I will tell you. And you promise me you will do the same. You will soon start workingagain, here for the town, and I am sure they will want more and more from you. That’s amazing. It means we will need to keep an eye on our schedules and make time for each other, but also to make time for our friends.”
“I had a friend in college who ditched me the moment he had a girlfriend,” I admit. “I hated it!”
He scrunches his nose. “That happened to me, too.”
“So, balance, huh?”
“Yes.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I will go home now and prepare everything else we need. My truck is at home, and I want to pack it properly. I couldn’t have stayed the night anyway.” He winks. “Though the plan was to take you home with me.”
