Page 81 of All I Want Is Love
“He was with another guy,” Soren says shortly. “And that’s it. That’s how we ended.” He turns to look at me, taking my hands. “Listen, Leo. I know you would never do that. You wouldn’t cheat on me, and you wouldn’t just pack everything and leave. You would put real effort even if we were having a long-distance relationship because that’s the person you are.”
“But you heard that Michael offered me the job, and went into panic mode,” I conclude.
“I think I was panicking more about the fact that I would hold you back,” he admits. “And that you would be unhappy, and then obviously loathe me, before you’d leave for real.”
“So, you jumped right into being supportive by not wanting to hold me back?” I conclude. Makes much more sense now that I know his history.
“I promise from now on I will always talk to you first before making up any scenarios in my mind,” he says.
“Okay,” I nod, snuggling against him. I feel so drowsy now after all the drama, and sitting here with him in the warm room just feels so comfortable.
“Are we good?” Soren asks quietly.
“Yeah, promise to take me out for dinner tomorrow, and we are fine.”
“It’s a date,” he says.
He says some more, but I am so tired, my brain filters out all the noise around me, pulling a blanket of drowsiness over me.
twenty-nine
*LEO*
It’s lunch when I wake up. Much to my surprise, I am in my bed, but Soren’s nowhere to be seen. Reaching out to the spot next to me, it still feels warm, though. Footsteps are coming from the living room, making me let out a sigh of relief.
I didn’t dream it.
He dropped by last night, apologized, and we made up.
Shortest argument I have ever had with anyone. But it’s good we were able to talk about it so fast and resolve it.
Actually, I think this is the first argument I resolved at all. I am pretty avoidant usually, and I might or might not have been quite the doormat for years. Funny. If the whole drama at my old job hadn‘t happened, I might still be there, still unhappy, and trying to be somebody I was not.
I hear footsteps coming closer again, and Soren, peeking past the curtain into the bedroom. His eyes light up when he spots me. “You are awake.”
“I can’t believe I slept until lunch,” I say.
“Same,” he chuckles. “So, how do you feel about getting up and then heading out for lunch? You told me to take you out for dinner, but we can make it lunch, and I will take you out to dinner another time.”
He sits down at the edge of the bed, putting his arm around me when I lean my forehead against his shoulder. Soren is warm; he always is warm. For someone like me who is always cold, this is perfect. He is my own personal oven. “I am getting drowsy again,” I admit.
“We can postpone our lunch date,” he says.
“No, I want to go out,” I say. “And Barkley needs to get out, too. I took him for a walk very late last night when I couldn’t sleep, but still…”
“I went outside with him briefly,” Soren says. “But you are right, let’s take him out for real.”
With newfound motivation, I drag myself up and into the bathroom, noticing that the shower water is still warm. No need to wait until it’s warmed up. How very practical. Another upside of having Soren with me overnight. I turn it on even hotter, feeling my skin prickle slightly, but not enough that it’s uncomfortable. A shiver runs down my back. Such a good feeling.
I’m inclined to invite Soren to take a shower with me, but something tells me he would run screaming the moment he notices how hot I actually shower. Plus, I want to eat… actual food.
With that in mind, I hurry to freshen up and get dressed.
Half an hour later, we are both ready to leave. During the night, the temperature had risen, so some of the snow melted,but they dropped this morning, making the road more than a little slippery. It’s almost like a massive ice blanket lying over the whole city. Barkley, on his huge, clumsy paws, just stumbles down the way, but seems to enjoy himself, while Soren and I take turns steadying each other whenever we stumble and are about to fall.
“Good thing I left my car at home last night,” Soren says.
“For real.” I laugh when I notice how Barkley is crawling along the street on his belly, apparently thinking this all just a big game.
