Page 60 of Golden Burn

IX. X. MMX.

09. 10. 2010.

A date of importance.

The penthouse room we are sharing is the only room on the sixth floor, and when Odin swings the door open, my jaw drops all the way down to the carpet.

An opulent room with cream lounges, glass coffee tables, and a wall completely covered in artwork greets us first. Separated by another glassand gold standing display, is a small dining room with a vase full of fresh roses resting atop of a rounded mahogany table. An impressive private bar stocked with various liquors and cocktail glasses is behind it.

The view is phenomenal. Large square windows reveal a panoramic view of Rome and its sea of red and rusty-colored roof tops.

Odin walks up to my side, his presence a wonderful familiarity in another city I have never been to before.

“You have a fitting for a dress tomorrow morning,” he says.

I swallow away the tightness in my throat. “Oh.”

“I hope you have something in mind.”

“I do, actually.” I keep my eyes trained on the horizon, unable to look at him for such a delicate topic. “Do you have a suit?”

Odin shrugs and leans his hands on the windowsill. “I have a few to pick from.”

“You’re not going to wear something special? It’s a big day.”

“It’s not that big.” I take my gaze off the rooftops and admire him. He looks somber as he says, “The special days are the ones that seem small the moment you’re in them.”

I stare at him for several heavy seconds before a knock comes at the door. Odin leaves me to get it.

Dom enters with a young woman with creamy skin, burnt blonde hair and a light brown leather jacket. Her hair is cut like she just came from a 1970s Woodstock festival—blow waves and a thick fringe, her entire face covered in light brown freckles that match the color of her chocolate eyes. A septum piercing shines between her nostrils.

She doesn’t necessarily look like a wedding planner. She doesn’t look like she likes weddings at all. She seems out of place in Rome, but in this room, she understands. She takes in the two of us like she knows whowe are already. Like she’s been around this type of situation before and is just ticking items off the list.

I don’t know what it is, but I like her instantly.

“Etta, Odin, this is Gwen, and she will be helping us to make sure this wedding runs smoothly and without hiccups.”

Gwen steps forward and shakes both our hands. She’s slightly taller than me in her heeled boots, but she bends herself to make sure our eyes meet on the same level. She does the same with Odin, lifting her chin so that it gives the illusion they are a similar height.

“Nice to meet you,” she says with a deep American accent.

Dom encourages us all to take a seat. Odin places a hand behind my back as we sit on the same couch together. I glance sideways to find he is already looking at me.

Dom continues despite our lack of attention. “Etta, you have a fitting tomorrow morning—”

There’s a commotion beyond the door to our room. The sound of a grunt and someone hitting the wall. I jump, my composure hanging by a thread since finding the note in our room.

Odin squeezes my knee. “It’s just Ford.”

I take a steady breath. The door to our room opens, Ford stumbles in. Something comes rushing at me. Something golden and furry and panting.

“Juniper!” I yell as she leaps onto my lap, her paws seeking purchase on my chest. Laughing, I run my hands through her fur and squeeze her face as she licks me. “Oh my God, I’ve missed you.”

“She’s all yours,” Ford calls, wiping his hands on his shirt. “She pooped twice on the way up here.”

Martise waltzes in after him, holding Juniper’s collar in the air. “She also knows how to slip out of this. Cheeky girl.”

I try to settle Juniper quickly, since it seems like Dom has a few important things to cover. She lies down on my feet, panting hard from exertion. I’m blanketed by her fur, the familiar sight a balm on my weary heart. I’m so relieved knowing she’s here, providing me the best type of comfort.

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