They both burst out laughing. “And you didn’t think meeting after so long would make it way worse?” Fenix wheezed. “When I finally visited your dad after we haven’t seen each other for years—we got to it right away.”
I stuck my fingers in my ears. “La la la la! I don’t want to hear that.”
Sam took over the phone again. “If you won’t tell him how you feel, you may not find out if he feels the same. It’s worth the risk, I’m telling you. I just want you to be happy, okay? Even if you’re not home for the holidays. How are you spending Christmas there? Where are you?”
I launched into my entire story from my arrival in NYC onwards. Of course, I toned down the gory bedroom details—my dads didn’t need to know quite that much.
While they told me about visiting extended family, I ventured to the kitchen and peeled a bag of potatoes I found on the counter.
An hour later, I had a stack of pancakes from grated potatoes. The pot of concoction I’d made with orange zest, juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, was ready for me to add the dry red wine to. I poured it slowly to finalise myGlühwein, while Marin was humming some Bob Dylan songand smacking my bum every chance he got with the end of his tentacle.
“You open gifts on Christmas Day at home, right?” I left the wine to simmer and wiped my hands.
“Yeah.” Marin bit into one of my potato pancakes and made a sexy noise of appreciation. Sounds like that might convince me to cook more often. “But I brought a little something for you with me and I’d love to give it to you tonight. I know you open yours on the twenty-fourth. I already put mine under the tree.”
“I’ll meet you under the Christmas tree in five.” I kissed his cheek, skipped to the bedroom and grabbed the wrapped gift. Hopefully, Marin hadn’t bought me anything expensive. We’d always exchanged useful and thoughtful gifts rather than pricey trinkets, and I’d bought mine before he began fucking my brains out on a daily basis. Would that have made a difference to him?
I marched back skidded to a halt.
Marin was sitting cross-legged in front of the Christmas tree with the white and red lights reflecting on his beautiful face. He was lost in thought; tentacles waving around him as he fiddled with the bow of the gift he was holding in his hands.
Marin,mein Schatz.My darling. My best friend. My love.
I had to tell him.
Looking around, I snagged a piece of paper from a fancy notebook at a decorative table and scribbled on it with the vintage fountain pen that stood in a holder next to it. I shoved the paper in the pocket of my chinos, took a deep breath and joined him on the rug in front of the tree.
I caught his tentacle and hugged it to my chest as I handed my package to the other tentacle.
“Open it.” I wiggled in my seat as I watched Marin tear the paper off.
His laughter filled the room. “You sneaky little devil, you got it at the Christmas market.” The hoodie had a sexy santa’s face onit with the words Big Nick Energy. “You’re the Christmas-loving one but I love it.”
“Yeah, and you’re the one giving art supplies to the neighbors’ kids.” I grinned, making grabby hands at my gift.
Marin handed it to me and I unwrapped the most beautiful silk scarf. “I hugged it to my chest. “It’s my favorite color.” The exact shade of Marin’s skin.
He was watching me and the adoration on his face brought tears to my eyes. My heart beat out of my chest.
Will he say it? Will he tell me that he loves me first?
Marin cupped my cheeks in his hands and licked his lips. “It will look great on you.”
I grinned but my belly flip-flopped. The moment was perfect but if I told him I was in love with him and he didn’t say the same, I’d ruin the romantic stay.
I’d have another chance before I’d leave.
“So will you,” I said like a chickenshit.
He lunged, pinning me to the rug and peppering my neck with kisses.
Chapter Sixteen
Kert
Chapter Seventeen
Kert
