“I’m sure the manager would take some pointers,” I said, already trying to look away from her before I had to struggle with rule number two.
She grabbed the room key and strolled out like she owned the place before locking the door behind us. I led the way, but she started yapping in that adorable way of hers. “What kind of food do they have? I’ve never been to Serbia before. I’m so hungry. I don’t know whether to go for something I know and can eat super fast because I know I’ll like it, or something cultural. We’re here tomorrow as well, aren’t we? So I have an opportunity to eat then, too, I suppose.” She seemed to be thinking hard, her brows furrowed. “I know for a fact that once I’ve eaten, I’m going to be out like a light. Is it a long walk?”
I tried to respond, but she smiled shyly, her hand brushing mine.
“I’m talking a lot, aren’t I? I do this when I’m hungry. I talk so much rubbish to distract myself so I don’t become… ugh, I don’t know the Hungarian word, but…”She switched to English. “Hangry.”
I’d heard the term before and laughed. “I love your voice. You can talk, order, and eat all you like. And if you need, I’m also happy to carry you back.”
Her smile was less timid. “Thank you, Zoltán.”
“Any time.” Every time. Every opportunity.
One day, I’d get to carry herhome.
We walked into the pub — still abuzz with life despite it being a Wednesday — and winced when a group of men looked over. One stood, open-mouthed, and called over,“Zoltàn Farkas, you’re alive!”
I’d thought I might be able to order a drink before they’d notice me. I’d managed seven steps.
Fia pressed into my side. “I didn’t realise you’d be recognisedhere.”
“It’s not the racing world,” I said and wrapped a protective arm around her waist, taking Stefan’s hug with the other.
“I haven’t seen you since the accident!” he cried, then turned to the bar staff. “A whiskey Coke, and… for the lady?”
She smiled graciously and said, “I’ll have the same, please.”
“Coming up!”he said and gestured for us to sit with his friends.
“We were just having a quiet one, Stef,” I told him, stroking Fia’s side.
“Ah,” he said and looked at Fia a bit too long for my liking. “One drink with us, Zolt. We have so much to catch up on!”
Fia shrugged. “It would be nice to meet your friends.”
“Hah!” Stef laughed. “Hear that, Zolt? Your godfather’s your friend!”
Fia’s eyes bulged out of her face, but she managed to cover it up and smile at Stef again.“On that count, we are definitely joining you. Can you just point me in the direction of the bathroom?”
He did, and I grabbed our drinks from the bar. Stef watched her walk away.“She’s beautiful.”
“Too young for you,” I snapped.
Stef’s brows shot up.
“And she’s mine.”
They hit his hairline.
I cleared my throat. I hated that it was a lie. “Well, she’s not yours.”
Stef laughed again and patted my back.
Thankfully, they were sitting where I could keep an eye on the bathroom door so I could wave her over. When she joined us, she slotted right into our conversation, taking theirfood recommendations eagerly and then eating and moaning at the same time. She gave as good as she got, bantering back with my grandad and dad’s family friends, and when she finally told Stef to fuck off, he nodded at me with a glimpse of a grin.
And I knew that from above, that was the only approval I needed. Forget the complications, the family connections, Stefan knew Fia was it for me.
She broadened my horizons and deepened my connections. She made me want to try again. She made me want to live.
