No more running away.
No more secrets.
No more lies.
The aggressive buzzing of Noah’s phone, abandoned on the counter beside Kaj’s arm, snapped him back to the real world. It was the fifth time in a couple of minutes.
“Popular this morning,” Kaj said.
Noah plated the eggs beside the cured cold meat, sausages, and bread with cheese. Then he wiped his hands on a dishcloth and tapped the screen of his phone, frowning.
“Something wrong?”
The coffee machine gurgled in the background, filling the air with its rich aroma as Noah read the texts he’d been receiving.
“It’s just the guys and Niels,” he said. “They’re asking about you.”
“Of course they are.” Kaj huffed, getting up and walking around the kitchen island to fill their mugs.
“Like I said last night, I’m not going to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do, but maybe… you should talk to them. Tell them what happened.”
Kaj froze with the coffee pot in his hand. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“You don’t need to tell themeverything, but they’re family, and they’re worried.” Standing behind Kaj, Noah kissed his shoulder with that sexy tenderness no one else was capable of. “Besides, Niels has been dealing with the stalking thing for weeks. This would give him an advantage, and… considering Jesper’s record, we might be able to get rid of him for a long time.”
“Maybe… tomorrow? I was thinking of calling my therapist now to see if she has any availability for today.”
“AnythingIshould worry about?”
“No. I just need to sit down with her to rearrange the mess in my head. Nothing especially concerning or new.”
“Okay.” Another open-mouthed kiss. But this time, it was on that spot right behind Kaj’s ear.Fuck… That feels good.“I’m here if you need me, though. For anything.”
“I know.”
“Good afternoon, Dr. Mortensen,” Kaj said as he entered the room at her house she had settled as her office.
“Hello, Kaj.” She smiled, motioning for him to sit on the armchair across from hers.
“Thank you for taking me on such short notice.”
“Of course.”
When Kaj called, she said she had some personal appointments in the afternoon, but that she could squeeze him in between lunch and her last patient of the day. Apparently, it wasn’t common for him to ask for help like that, so there was no way she’d say no. And here they were now.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Good. I think.”
Dr. Mortensen nodded, flipping her long blond braid over her shoulder as she reclined back, hands over the tablet on her lap. She didn’t say anything, but her gentle, honey eyes were assessing him. Like always.
The soft summer breeze blew through the window, making the gauzy curtains flutter. The space was intentionally calming, with walls painted a muted sage, bookshelves lined with psychology texts and small potted plants, and a subtle lavender scent hanging in the air, but Kaj was still restless.
Resting an ankle on his other leg, Kaj crossed his arms and took a deep breath.
“Actually,” he finally said, “something happened yesterday. Something big.”
“Would you like to talk about it?”
