Page 89 of Body Shot

And I wouldn’t change a thing.

THIRTY-TWO

Claudia

When people saythat time flies when you’re having fun, it’s usually the kind of thing you don’t think about too much. Vacations certainly go by faster than a long week at work or school, but it feels like I blinked and my time with Anders is rapidly coming to an end.

We spent half the day in bed and then got dressed and went for a ride. I showed him where I grew up, my schools and a few other meaningful places, before pulling up to my parents’ house. I turn off the car but neither of us move. It’s six o’clock on a Saturday night, so the neighborhood is busy with people getting home from wherever they were, cars parked in driveways and on the street, and lights coming on as they gear up for the evening.

“This is nice,” he said, gazing up and down the quiet suburban street. “A nice place to grow up.”

“Is your childhood home at all similar?” I asked curiously.

“Actually, it is. I mean, the house is probably a bit smaller, and the scenery a little different, but it’s similar in that it’s aquiet street with families and kids and houses. We weren’t rich, but we weren’t poor either. I always had everything I needed.”

“Same. I had a good life growing up here.”

“So did I. It’s what I want for my future family, whatever that looks like.”

“Do you want kids?” I ask. It’s a subject I’ve always tiptoed around because of his ex, but it feels like this is the right time to ask.

“Someday. I feel like there’s so much I still want to do before I’m tied down to that. I see what my sister goes through, how hard it is for her and her husband to spend quality time together or go on holidays and such. I definitely want kids, but I also want a few more years without them, to travel and explore the world, experience things as an adult. I mean, you can do most things with kids, but it’s different. They become your priority, you know? And I want to be selfish a bit longer. What about you?”

“I’m only twenty-four,” I say. “And just starting an exciting new career. Kids are nowhere on my radar. I haven’t done much traveling, so for me, I don’t think I want kids for another five years or so.”

He grins. “It’s like you’re my other half.”

“Let’s plan our first vacation,” I blurt out. “This is the first time I’ll have money of my own. I have to start saving for a car, but I have very few expenses, so I can save for a vacation at the same time. I assume we’ll wait until your off-season, which means summer. What do you think?” I can’t stop the excitement bubbling up inside of me.

“We can plan a European trip for summer. I’d like you to meet my family as well, but we can tack on somewhere else in Europe you want to go that isn’t Sweden, either at the beginning or the end.”

I throw my arms around his neck. “That soundsawesome.”

“What’s your number one? Paris? London? Rome?”

“Have you been to any of those?” I ask quietly.

He grimaces. “All three, actually.”

“I want to go somewhere you’ve never been then. So it’s a first time for both of us.”

“That’s going to limit us,” he says slowly. “I grew up in Europe, so we visited quite a few places.”

“That’s okay. Where haven’t you been?”

He’s thoughtful for a moment. “How about Hungary? Budapest is supposed to be amazing.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to the Central market,” I say. “I’ve read about the spices there.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Let me do some research. We have time to figure it out.”

“Just let me know.” He leans over and softly kisses me. “We should go inside, yes?”

“I suppose. I’m just enjoying a little more time having you all to myself.”

“We still have all night,” he whispers, his lips close to mine.

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