Imre was still so distant. I didn’t know what Zolt had said to him at the restaurant a few weeks ago, but he’d hardly approached me since. I enjoyed the company of Zolt and his mother,but Imre?Not so much.
Because I still didn’t know what that company was like.
I finished my food and placed our bowls in the dishwasher as Helena put the leftovers in Tupperware, then the fridge.
My phone chimed.
ZOLTÁN: Sorry, this is taking longer than I hoped. We’ll be done in an hour or so, then they just need the night for the house to dry out. On the positive side, it’s stopped raining!
I looked out the window and heaved a sigh of relief before calling the dogs. Zolt’s house never felt small or claustrophobic, but I needed to get out and away from any further conversation about Imre.
At first, I was nervous to walk them by myself, but they stayed within my eyesight like they did when I was with Zolt, and Vincent broughtmethe stick to throw. I snapped a picture of his patient face, wagging tail, and the stick in my hand to send to his dad, proving I was the equally fun parent.
I could see myself here. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have considered living in Hungary. Now, I couldn’t imagine this not being my temporary home.
It was at least partly due to the company.
On the walk back, I checked the plants to find the tomatoes had grown since we’d been gone! They were green, but they’d soon accompany my salad in a few weeks. I snapped a selfie with them to show myboyfriendand eyed the clouds suspiciously. If I wanted to plant the cucumbers, nowwould be the best time.
So I got to work on my little vegetable garden, planting and pruning, and getting covered in dirt. When I was done, I looked up to see Zolt leaning against one of the stone pillars, watching me.
“Uh oh,” I said, brushing the soil off my thighs before checking we were alone. “This is one of your kinks. Dirt.”
His laughter rolled like the earlier thunder, and he clutched his knees. “Why do you think I had the herb garden made for you?” He came down the steps, keeping a few steps back. A safe distance.
“We brought pizza,” he said. “And we’re sharing your favourite.”
“You hate pineapple,” I laughed and gestured for him to tug me up. I wanted to accidentally fall into his big, strong chest. But he helped me too politely, too respectfully. “You said it’s an abomination on a pizza.”
“It is abhorrent,” he said, then lowered his voice. “But it means I get to share something with you. And I get to sit by you.”
I looked at the wet grass, trying to hide my grin.
“You okay?”
“I want to tell them,” I said, eyes darting to the glass walls of his living room and kitchen. I wished we were having this conversation anywhere else. “But I’m scared. We’re so happy and… I don’t want to burst this bubble.”
He inched forward, and I inched back.
His hand dropped to his side. “Then we won’t burst the bubble just yet. But if you decide any time is the right time, go for it, and I’ll follow your lead.”
Imre put a film on while we ate. It was black and white, that was all I remembered.
Because Zolt’s knee was warm, pressed into my thigh as he chomped on his pizza. You wouldn’t think for a second that he didn’t like it, the way he went at it.
They spoke of the championship, the leak, the press, and then… his mother asked it.
“So, this romantic connection, huh?” she asked, eyebrows high, voice teasing. “Is that why I never see you anymore?”
I put down the slice of pizza I’d been nibbling for the last twenty minutes.
He said he’d let me lead. I couldn’t lead.
“You know how it is, mother,” he said, waving a lazy hand and taking a bite of his remaining crust. “The women just can’t resist.”
“You said a special woman. And it was serious enough to ask methatquestion.”
He shrugged, his arm draped across the back of the sofa behind me.
