Who's there? A journalist? Television crew?
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kjell setting the spoon aside. "Should I go check?" he asks so empathetically that it at least partially releases my paralysis.
I wave it off, not wanting to be as paranoid as my father always was. It's probably just the neighbors wanting to wish usGod Jul. "I'll handle it. Will you start on the mulled wine in the meantime?"
He claps the soles of his feet together. "Yes, sir, will do."
It’s unbelievable how he manages to make me smile even in the tensest moments. I pull the dishcloth out of my pocket and toss it at his chest.
"Idiot," I murmur as I make my way to the door.
Along the way, I fix my hair. Even though it doesn't really matter, I don't want anyone to notice that a certain someone messed up my hairstyle in a daring stunt less than ten minutes ago.
The doorbell rings again.
"I'm coming!" I call out and quicken my pace. When I reach the door, I turn the key in the lock and swing it open. "God..." My words fail me mid-sentence, and the smile on my lips freezes. "Levi."
My ex leans casually against the doorframe, looking up at me with his head lowered. "Hej, babe." His hair is longer than it used to be but still shiny from all the gel that keeps it in place.
I stare at him in disbelief.
"Heard you were back, thought you must be lonely for sure." He noisily snorts up some mucus.
How the hell does he know? "Who told you that?" That’s the first question that emerges from my jumbled thoughts.
"Who do you think?" He raises one of his thinly plucked eyebrows.
Malvin. It was Malvin.
This can't be true. Neither Kahlo's threats nor that damned article should have led me to call our former dealer. Of course, he told Levi. What a fool I am!
"Anyway, it took me a while to find you out here in the boonies, but here I am.God Jul, babe, I missed you," Levi coos, taking a step toward me.
I quickly step back. "But I didn't miss you."
Hardly have I spoken those words when Kjell calls from the kitchen, "Is everything okay?"
I put my index finger to my lips to signal Levi to keep his mouth shut and turn back toward the interior of the house. "Everything's fine."
"Lil can come in if she wants. I'll go upstairs for a bit," Kjell says, sounding like he might be approaching. Hopefully not.
Levi opens his mouth, and I give him a warning look.
"It's Lil, isn't it?" Kjell calls out.
No, it's not Lil. My past is standing at the door, grinning stupidly at me.
"Disappear," I hiss at Levi and reach for the door to close it.
He spreads his arms. "Come on, babe. Aren't you happy to see me again?" His voice gets louder with each word. It's only amatter of time before he starts yelling loud enough for Kjell to hear.
Alerted, I grab my jacket from the coatrack, put it on, and step out with him. "What do you want?" I ask after closing the door behind me.
"God, you've become so uptight." He’s suddenly standing right in front of me, pressing me against the door and trapping me with his arms. "Loosen up a bit."
I wish I could say I'm loose—if only it were true.
"Come on, let's go inside and have an awesome evening. Your guy in there suggested he'd leave us alone anyway."
