“Don’t lock away your feelings and I won’t lock myself in acloset,” Betty promised. “Someday when we don’t have a documentary crew following us, I will say proudly you’re my… I dunno… partner? I was going to say girlfriend but?—"
“You’re my girlfriend,” I laughed. “But yes. Youcansay girlfriend.”
“I worried that might be too heteronormative. Oh well, I fucking love you. I love this. Don’t stop being emotionally available. I’m here for you.”
“I will, Betty. I love you, too. I don’t tell people these things. They hurt to talk about, but?—”
“You trust me,” she sighed, resting her head on my shoulder.
Chapter 36
Blow Your Mind
BETTY
“And what areyoudoing?” Pappa demanded, poking his head in my room without knocking.
I looked at my bag, praying everything I didn’t want him to see was sufficiently covered. “You know I said I was going to Gothenburg for a hot minute, Pappa.”
“Now? You just got here, bug!”
Mary’s planned stop in Gothenburg to accept an award from the mayor had changed four times. The date had been pushedupso she could record a song in Stockholm after. Her schedule was more hectic than mine. While I settled back in Trondheim, I visited Oslo to complete royal duties in Rose’s stead. Pregnancy wore on her.
I rolled my eyes. “I told you it was dependent on… things.”
He leaned on the doorway. “Does this have to do with anyone you are seeing?”
“Dad, I’m almost thirty. My personal life is?—”
“Skatt, no one is upset with you for that,” Pappa insisted. “You are allowed to be a grown-up and have a life.”
“Tell that to my stupid brothers.”
“I cannot fix them. They will always protect you. But… if you are seeing someone, why not bring them here?”
“I will be back in time for my engagements and stay long enough to ride in the charity show,” I said. “Auntie’s greenies will get their time, too. I just… I need to go for a night. I’m taking the train. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Is he Swedish?”
“It’s really none of your business,” I said. “But if you must know, things are getting serious and… someday I will introduce you when our schedules aren’t so chaotic.”
My father’s eyebrows raised.
“Far, can you just… be cool about this?”
“Apologies, but we haven’t met anyone since Hank and… well, what does he do?”
“Entertainment,” I answered. “And you will know more when I want you to.”
“Oh, you’re going?” Mamma popped in, looking disappointed.
I stood, continuing to pack and aware my train departed in under an hour. “I’ve already explained this to Dad. I will be back in the evening well in time for our engagement the next morning. I should be back by six.”
Mum didn’t pry. “Well, okay. I will have dinner ready.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I will be home in time.”
“Good,” Pappa said. “Alright, well stay safe and stay out of trouble.”
