Page 87 of All I Want Is Love
thirty-one
*LEO*
Soren and I look like we are moving house when he maneuvers his car onto the road. It’s stuffed to the brim with baskets and food, and obviously, Barkley, who has his own secure space. I wonder if Soren can even see anything through the rearview window.
“We might have gone overboard,” I admit. “Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” He asks, looking all happy and relaxed. “It’s a short drive, and I willingly participated in everything. It was fun.”
I lean back, deciding I am allowed to be happy and just enjoy myself. On the radio, they play mostly cheesy Christmas songs, which Soren and I sing along to. Once we arrive at Aspen’s place, Robin is already here and helping us unload everything, beforehe drags me along to the small ice-skate ring at the far end of Aspen’s garden.
It’s a sunny day, but cold. Perfect for ice skating, but also perfect for driving, compared to the hazard a few days ago. It’s been forever since I went ice skating, but Robin takes my hands and helps me until I am more confident in my skills.
“You should really take him out to an actual ice skate date!” Robin yells towards the terrace door.
Soren waves to us from there, a cup of coffee in his hand. “I will,” he promises.
“We have a lake close by,” Robin tells me. “It’s huge, and you can ice skate for hours.”
“Does Soren ice skate?” I ask.
“No.”
“Aspen?”
At that, Robin laughs. “Double no.”
“But you do,” I conclude. “So, you definitely need to come along.”
“Let’s plan it for next week,” Robin agrees.
Eventually, we both get tired and cold. Robin leaves first to help Aspen with his last preparations in the kitchen, while Soren keeps me company.
That is, until Robin returns, peeking outside. “Get inside, you two lovebirds! Food’s almost ready.”
I take Soren’s hand, letting him help me off the rink. “I hope you are hungry,” he says with a grin. “I saw the amount of food Aspen prepared. Believe me, our dessert escalation is nothing in comparison.”
“I am hungry,” I chuckle. “But I am not sure if I’d ever be hungry enough for such a feast.”
Together, we hurry back inside. I put my ice skates away and swiftly freshen myself up, just in time for lunch to be served.
“Out of the way,” Robin yells. “Mr. Aspen is coming, with the roast.”
“Pok Boohhh~” It resounds through the room, and Aspen comes into the living room with Robin’s ostrich following him. He glares at the ostrich first, then at Barkley, who is sleeping right in front of the door leading to the kitchen. “You could have left him at home.”
“Barkley?” I ask. “Never!”
“I wasn’t talking about Barkley! At least, he isn’t a threat to humanity. I was talking about the psycho behind me,” Aspen complains.
“Don’t say that. Francesco is very sensitive,” Robin complains.
“Had I known Francesco would be here, I would have brought Cracker along,” Soren says seriously.
“Do you really think that would have been a good idea?” I ask skeptically.
“No,” Soren chuckles. “As a vet, I have to agree with Aspen. Ostriches are not particularly friendly animals. Who knows what he would have done to poor, little Cracker?”
“He doesn’t seem to mind Barkley,” I muse.
