After chatting over drinks, we move from the living room to the kitchen-slash-dining room, where Ma has a delicious dinner laid out. Astrid and her mum brought sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole, and there are traditional staples like turkey, Brussels sprouts, mashed and roast potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy. For dessert, Ma made apple pie, and Elsa baked pumpkin pie.
Erin is on my right, and Astrid is on my left, but Gwen is on her other side, and every time I try to talk to my girlfriend in private, her best friend keeps butting in. I’m trying not to get mad, but alone time with Astrid has been seriously lacking since Gwen moved in with the Nevans, and while I feel for her, she is starting to grate on my nerves.
Gwen keeps up a continuous running commentary as we clear the table and stack the dishwasher while the adults crack open the champagne in the living room, and the girls have escaped to Erin’s bedroom to play. Her high-pitched voice is giving me a headache, and I fucking wish she’d just shut up for five minutes.
Finally, she leaves to go to the bathroom, and relief washes over me. I back Astrid up against the counter, caging her in with my arms. “I know she’s your best friend, but Gwen sure loves the sound of her own voice.”
“Don’t be mean.” Astrid slides her palms up my chest. “She’s not herself right now. She’s grieving.”
“I have hardly seen you since she moved in.” I press my lips to her neck, dusting kisses along her silky soft skin. “Can’t blame a guy for missing his girl.”
I close my eyes when her fingers thread through my hair. “I’ve missed you too, and it’ll get easier now she’s moving back home. Though I will still have to spend time with her. She needs me.”
“I need you too,” I murmur against her ear, loving how she shivers all over.
“I’ll make it up to you.” Astrid drags her nails gently along my scalp, and I would happily bow at her feet for eternity as long as she keeps doing that.
“Wanna start now?” I nuzzle her neck and push my body flush against hers.
“Our parents are right next door,” she reminds me as I press a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“We can sneak upstairs for a few minutes. They’re getting drunk on champagne. They won’t notice.”
Her eyes light up as she links her fingers in mine. “Okay, let’s go.”
We take off our shoes in the hall, sneaking upstairs in our socks, and I’m grateful my parents have finished the renovations and the stairs are no longer creaky. My eyes are glued to her shapely arse as we climb, and I don’t know how I got so lucky. Astrid Nevan is my every wet dream come to life, and I’m grateful she’s forgiven me.
When we reach the landing, I shove her against the wall and kiss her with all the pent-up longing I’m feeling. The world disappears as our hungry lips consume one another. Losing myself in Astrid is my favorite pastime, and I plan to do it for a lifetime. Our kiss deepens as we grab at one another with matching desperation.
“Bedroom,” she whimpers against my lips in between kisses.
We continue kissing the short distance to my room, neither of us willing to relinquish hold of one another. We fall through the door, kissing and groping, and my focus is centered on Astrid, which is why it takes me a few seconds to realize we’re not alone. My arms circle Astrid protectively as I rip my lips from hers and glare at the unwelcome visitor in my room. “What the fuck are you doing in my room?”
“It’s all innocent.” Gwen raises her palms and smiles like she hasn’t been caught red-handed. “I swear. I wanted to see my bestie’s hard work up close. Azzie, my gawd, you have worked magic. It’s awesome in here.” She spins around, trying and failing to act girlish and demure. I’m only realizing she’s wearing Astrid’s skirt when it lifts as she twirls. I don’t get girls’ weird obsession with sharing each other’s clothes, though I’d have zero issue with it if Astrid wanted to borrow any of my things.
“I love the custom shelf.” Gwen traces the tip of her finger along the lower shelf. “You are so talented, babe.” She throws herself at Astrid, pulling her out of my arms and into hers. “If you are doing this without any formal training, imagine what you’ll achieve when you have your degree.”
“Thanks.” Astrid shucks out of her hold, chewing on the corner of her lip as she looks between Gwen and me. “I’m glad you like it, but you should’ve gotten permission, Gwen. It’s rude to snoop in Callan’s room without asking.”
She rolls her eyes. “I wasn’t snooping. I was just looking around, and Cal doesn’t mind, right?” She bats her lashes, but if she thinks that’ll work on me, she can think again.
“Actually, I do mind,” I say, hauling Astrid back into my arms. “I don’t like people going through my things.”
“I was only looking at the room. I didn’t invade your privacy. I would never do that.” Her lower lip wobbles as tears fill her eyes. “Now I feel terrible. You’re both right. I should’ve thought to ask, but it was a spontaneous thing when I was coming out ofthe bathroom. I’ve been so stressed lately, and I’m not thinking clearly.” A sob tumbles from her mouth.
“It’s okay, right, babe?” Astrid looks up at me. “No harm, no foul.” She beseeches me with her eyes, and while I want to say no, it’s not fucking all right, I don’t want to cause issues in her friendship.
“It’s cool,” I lie, tightening my arms around Astrid and propping my chin on her head.
“I’m really sorry, Cal.” Gwen sniffles, and Astrid pulls away from me to console her friend.
I count to ten in my head to keep calm as I bypass the girls, walk to my desk, and unplug my phone from the charger. I slide it in the front pocket of my jeans and sit back against the desk with my arms folded.
“I feel really awful now,” Gwen says, turning around to look at me. “Please say you forgive me. I couldn’t live with myself if you hated me for an honest mistake.”
“Forget it. It’s over, but I would like a private moment with my girlfriend.”
Her lips tighten, and her eyes dry up. “Of course.” She pecks Astrid on both cheeks. “Scott is on his way to get me. You’re still coming to Thor’s party. Right?”
