Page 81 of From Helsinki with Love
“Post one of our selfies on social media, saying we’re dating.”
I glance at Vivian, surprised by her suggestion. “Are you sure? I don’t want to make you more uncomfortable.”
“Nothing you do could make me uncomfortable,” she says, reassuringly smiling. “We don’t have to hide because of the media. And who knows, maybe it will make them back off a bit.”
Vivian is right—I don’t want to hide what’s between us just because of some tabloid article. I unlock my phone and scroll through my photos until I find the perfect one. It’s a picture of Vivian and me in front of the Arctic Circle sign—the one where I’m not kissing her.
I type out a quick caption:“Meet Vivian, a woman who has made my trip to Finland way better than expected. We’re still getting to know each other and would appreciate the privacy while we do so. From Helsinki with Love, Jasper.”
As soon as I hit post, my phone starts buzzing with notifications. I look at Vivian with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I know that the media will still write about us, but at least now my fans have heard about her from me personally.
Not checking the comments, I pocket my phone. Vivian wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “You did the right thing. Now, let’s get our bags and go home.”
Home. I know she meant my place, but where my mind went hearing that is something completely different. It was like she meantourhome. Damn, I can’t wait to share my home with this woman one day.
* * *
We are halfway to my place, sitting in the taxi, when my phone vibrates. I adjusted the settings so that only messages and calls from Vivian, my family, and my agent Em come through right now. It must be one of my family members, as Em is still sleeping, thanks to the seven-hour time difference to the East Coast.
Looking down at the screen, I see that my younger sister has sent a message in our sibling chat.
Elise
MAMMOTH, how could you?!
Jasper
???
What are you talking about
Linnea
I think she means your Instagram post and how you did not tell your sisters that you were now officially dating
Jasper
After the Christmas dinner, it was pretty obvious we were close, no?
Linnea
Well, yeah, we kinda thought it was, but you could have told us you were going public
Jasper
I only told my fans we are getting to know each other. It’s not like I told them we’re engaged or something.
Linnea
Oh please, that post was almost like a public declaration of love in the modern age
To prove my point, my friends have been sending me sad crying emojis as they realized their chances with you are now lower than ever
Elise
There’s also a new post by Paparazzi Playground with more photos
*sends a screenshot of Jasper and Vivian at the Kittilä airport in Lapland, very close to each other*
