Page 86 of From Helsinki with Love
After lunch at my parents’ place, we head back to my apartment to get ready for a night out with Emil. Because my cousin lives in London, he often stays in hotels when he travels to Finland.
We arrive at the hotel, and I knock on the door to his room. He opens it and greets me first. “Jasper, it’s so good to see you. I thought you’d be hiding out after the paparazzi shitstorm!” he shouts, hugging me tightly.
“You know I wouldn’t miss seeing you when we’re in the same country,” I reply, returning the embrace.
“I was worried that article would make you reconsider, but apparently not.” Emil turns to Vivian, giving her an appreciative look, and extends his hand. “And you must be the lady Jasper’s been raving about—I don’t blame him.”
She takes his hand and shakes it, smiling. “I’m Vivian. It’s nice to meet you, Emil.”
“Likewise. Come on in. The rest of the gang is already here.”
We step into the room, and I see three familiar guys sitting on the couch, drinks in hand. They all look up and greet us when we enter.
“Guys, this is Jasper’s new lady friend, Vivian from America,” Emil introduces my date. “And Vivian, these are the guys—Heikki, Lauri and Tapio.”
“Hi, Vivian,” they say in unison, glancing her way, interest evident on their faces.
At that moment, I’m blown away that I get to be the one who’s here with her bymyside. She’s beyond stunning in that little black dress that hugs her curves and shows just enough cleavage to drive me wild.
Vivian laughs low in her throat. “I would think you practiced that if I didn’t know better. But it’s nice to be here.”
The door to one of the bathrooms opens, and Suvi, Lauri’s girlfriend, sticks her head out. “Hey, I thought I heard another woman talking. Just a moment, and I’ll be done with my makeup.”
“Take your time, kulta,” Lauri tells her, smiling from ear to ear. It makes me smile, too, as I finally know the feeling myself.
“What’s the word you used?” Vivian asks curiously, a small smile on her lips.
“Kulta?” She nods, so Lauri continues. “Kulta literally means gold, but it’s one of the nicknames people use about someone they care about.”
“I love that. Jasper calls me muru.”
The guys shoot me knowing looks before Emil motions us to sit down and goes to the dry bar. “Do you two want anything to drink?”
“I wouldn’t mind a G&T,” Vivian replies before turning my way. “How about you, hockey hunk?”
That makes Heikki lose his shit. “Hockey hunk?”
Vivian blushes. “That’s my nickname for him.”
“I wouldn’t mind being called that,” Tapio comments before gulping his beer.
“Maybe you should try your luck in the NHL, not only the Finnish League, to get a nickname like that,” Lauri comments.
That makes Vivian turn her focus on Tapio. “You play hockey here in Finland?”
He nods. “I do, and Heikki plays football.”
“You mean soccer?” she replies, and the guys groan.
“You Americans and yoursoccer. But yes, I play soccer,” Heikki answers, emphasizing the word.
“I used to play back in high school, too,” Vivian tells him proudly. “But I haven’t played in years.”
“I could give you a refresher if you wanted,” the footballer says, appreciatively glancing her way.
Emil must notice my stony expression as he cuts the conversation. “Jas, you want G&T like your woman or something else?”
“Make me whatever you like,” I tell him and scoot next to Vivian.
