“You don’t need to worry, Seb,” he says gently. “While you were sleeping, I called my mum. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“Really?” I blink, surprised. “What… What did you tell her about me?”
“Nothing much, baby, just that you’re a dear friend who needed a quiet place to rest for a bit.”
He doesn’t give me time to overthink before adding, “Anyway, she and Maude won’t be back until tomorrow. They took Ben to a local fair and decided to turn it into a little weekend getaway.”
“So tonight we’ll be alone?” I ask, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Absolutely,” Remi says, flashing me a mischievous grin. “I was meant to catch up with some old school friends, I haven’t seen them in years, but honestly? I’d much rather spend the evening with you. Maybe we can head to the pub tomorrow and see who’s around, but tonight…”
He pauses, his voice softening. “Tonight, I’m thinking something simple. Just us. A quiet dinner at home.
“Sounds perfect. I couldn’t ask for more,” I reply, genuinely thrilled. The idea of an evening alone with Remi sounds like heaven right now. Even if nothinghappens, just being near him is enough. Though, of course, I’mhopingsomething will happen…
Remi clears his throat, his tone suddenly serious again. “I want to tell them about us, if you’re okay with that. But not over the phone. I want to introduce you properly. I want my mum, Maude, and even Ben to see what you mean to me. I want them toseeit. Think about it, Seb. You don’t have to decide now. But it would mean a lot to me.”
I nod, saying nothing for the moment. Because yes, I want that too, I want to be with him out in the open. But part of me still fears that going public, beingus, will bring down a storm of judgement and disapproval on Remi. And the thought of being the one to hurt him in any way is unbearable.
“Look, Seb! That’s my house, we’re here!”
Remi tilts his chin toward a small salmon-pink cottage perched slightly above the beach, surrounded by a patch of green land. It’s a two-storey dream in the quietest, most peaceful spot imaginable.
“It’s gorgeous!” I squeal with delight. “The view is incredible…” Just a few more metres and Remi pulls up behind the house. He turns off the engine and looks at me withoutsaying a word, then suddenly reaches out, fingers sliding into my hair, and pulls me into a kiss so intense it knocks the breath out of me.
When he pulls back, I’m dazed, and immediately aching for more.
“Sorry if I was a bit rough, but I’ve been wanting to do that for… like, five hours,” he says, smiling shyly.
I lean in again, but Remi stops me, hands on my shoulders. He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, his nose brushing through my hair.
“Don’t be greedy. We need to settle in first, and more importantly, eat something. You haven’t had a proper meal all day, and I amnotletting you pass out on the kitchen floor.”
I pout, but it only makes him laugh. He ruffles my hair affectionately. “Come on, baby. There’ll be time for everything else… later.”
That promise is all I need. I finally step out of the car and stretch my stiff limbs. I spin around slowly, taking in the landscape, unable to hide the blissed-out expression on my face. Remi’s watching me with the exact same look.
“You never told me you grew up in a place this beautiful. It’s… breathtaking. There’s no other word for it.”
Without a word, Remi steps in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing his chest gently against my back. He lowers his head until his chin rests over my shoulder, fitting there as if it were made for it, and for one suspended, perfect moment, the world goes quiet.
I can hear his heartbeat, steady, grounding, mirroring mine. And in that instant, Iknow. Deep in my bones. Whatever comes next, whatever still needs to be said… we’re already something real. Something that matters.
He nuzzles the back of my ear, and I melt at the contact. My pulse races, and then, soft and low, his voice finds me, wrapping around me like the rest of him.
“What do you say we head inside, unpack, and check the pantry? If there’s some salmon, I can marinate it, grill it, and serve it with roast potatoes and a salad. We could even eat outside, if you’re up for it.”
He nods toward a rustic wooden table at the far end of the garden, flanked by two benches and perfectly positioned in the most scenic spot imaginable.
I don’t even have to think about it. “Sounds amazing, Remi. I can’t imagine a better place to be right now… Thank you.”
I lean back into him, savouring the warmth of his arms around me, the quiet strength of being held like this. Then I tilt my head up and shoot him a playful look.
“Your plan sounds perfect. The menu too. But I think you might’ve forgotten one tiny detail… Dessert.”
Remi laughs, shaking his head, then steps back and gives me a cheeky slap on the bum.
“You’re impossible, Seb. Come on, let’s get moving before it gets too late. Sunset’s the best time to eat out here.”
