Page 87 of Cross Checking

“It’s not like I’d be trapped here,” I say. “I could always go home whenever.”

Erik’s mouth is still tight, so I cut to the chase.

“I’m gonna be real with you. There isn’t much left for me in Toronto. All my friends have left, and I’m lonely as hell. I’ve been thinking about living somewhere else for a long time, since before I met you.” I keep my tone measured and my head held up, and Erik’s expression softens. “Need any more reassurance?” I ask, humor creeping into my tone.

“Nope, I got nothing.” Erik chuckles. “Does this mean we’re together now?”

My heart flips as soon as those words leave his mouth. “Yeah. If we’re both on board, then we’re together.”

Erik parts his lips, his eyes hooded and a cute smirk plastered on his face. “So we’re boyfriends.”

And then his mouth is on mine, slow, deep, and so right. I run my hand along his stubbled jaw, savoring the texture beneath my fingertips as our tongues roll lazily along each other.

“Boyfriend has a nice ring to it, no?” I ask, pulling back. Erik nods twice before pressing his lips to mine again and cupping my neck with a firm hand. This kiss means something, and hell if I don’t want more of it. So much more.

Erik’s rumbling stomach reminds us that we haven’t started eating our food yet, so we detach from each other and dig in.

“I’m so glad I don’t have to run from it anymore,” he says between mouthfuls.

“Run from what?”

“Liking the hell out of you. I’ve been a mess ever since I left Toronto, but now we’re together, I’m feeling so much better.”

I take a break from eating my meat-filled breakfast bowl and rest my head on my folded hands. “Nowyoustole the words out of my mouth.”

We finish breakfast, then lounge around, not doing much at all, but Erik’s phone pings.

“Do you want to hang out with Nils and Silja today?” he asks. “They live in the same building, so we can plan something together.”

I nod, Erik replies to the text, and then he takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. The front door opens, I give him a firm squeeze, and we exchange a quick nod.

Our hands stay locked together.

A gasp comes from the door. It’s Nils. Silja, who’s standing behind him, pokes her head around to see why, and she breaks into a smile.

“Are you guys…” Nils points between the two of us.

“Yeah.” Erik and I speak at the same time.

“We’re together,” I say.

Nils launches himself into the apartment and hugs both of us, almost tipping the couch over. “Fucking finally. I’m so happy for you guys!” He untangles himself from us and Silja walks up.

“There’s more, though,” I say, and the two of them freeze. “I’m gonna move here.”

Nils pumps his fist. “Hell yeah! What’s that saying? Love wins?”

“That’s not how you’re supposed to use it, but sure,” Silja says, giving Nils’s shoulder a gentle slap. “Anyway, Luke, that’s amazing. You haven't seen much of Stockholm since you got here, have you?”

I shake my head.

Nils lights up. “Ooh, this is so exciting! Let’s take you on a tour of your new home.”

“I’m so down, let’s do it.” Silja pulls her phone out. “I’ll make a plan. Let’s hit Gamla Stan first and then we can go from there.”

“Hold up,” Erik says. “Luke, you should think about how cold it is before agreeing to anything outdoors.”

A quick check of my phone confirms that it’s well above freezing. “It’s not bad outside. Let’s hit the road.”

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