Page 41 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
“My certification exam. It’s in March, but I’m getting a head start on it while I’m here.” Since I don’t have the same distractions as I do back home. Another perk of spending my summer in Finland.
Except now that I’ve got a lot going on, it’s getting harder and harder to find time to study.
Kyle pushes himself up. “I can give you a ride home if you want.”
“Thanks.” I can easily walk home, but I’m not ready to say bye to him yet.
We return to his car and he drives me back to Muumu’s apartment. I’m about to climb out when he grabs my arm and pulls me back to him so only a few inches separate us.
“Will I get to see you before Saturday?” His gaze drops to my lips.
“I’m not sure. I’m taking my grandmother to see a movie tomorrow.” Kyle works late Wednesday and I’m volunteering on Thursday with Joni’s team.
“Then this will have to do until then…” He kisses me long and hard, our tongues exploring, tasting, teasing. I’m breathless by the time we pull apart. Breathless and wishing tomorrow were Saturday.
Chapter Twenty
Sofia
I walk into the kitchen to see if Muumu is here since we need to leave soon for the movie. She’s sitting at the table, flipping through what looks like a photo album. She looks up and waves me over. Mina chirps her encouragement from her cage.
I sit next to Muumu. She points to a faded picture of a pretty girl my age wearing a light blue minidress. Her long blond hair hangs around her shoulders. “Mä oon tossa.” She points to herself then to a good-looking guy in tight red pants and a tight polyester shirt. “Tos oon sun vaari.” My grandfather.
After I get over how thankful I am no one dresses like that anymore, I study the photo. They’re sitting on the grass by the lake, a tent to one side. His arm is around her and they’re beaming at the camera.
In the next photo, they’re sitting by a campfire with their friends. This time they aren’t posing for the camera. It’s a candid shot. Vaari still has his arm around her waist, but everyone is laughing and having a good time.
She flips the page. In this picture, they’re walking along the pier where the Helsinki marketplace is located, holding hands. Their backs are to the camera but it’s obviously them.
Muumu says something that is lost on me, but her dreamy tone gives away that she’s remembering her early days with my grandfather, when they fell in love.
And they were still in love the day my grandfather died. That much I know from what Mom told me.
Muumu shows me more photos. A few are of places I’ve been to with Kyle. Some we haven’t been to yet, and I mentally add them to the list of must-see locations. And with each picture we look at, she and my grandfather appear to be even more in love than in the photo before it. They’re proof that happily-ever-after does exist.
Muumu glances at the clock and says something that I interpret to mean we need to go now if we’re going to make the movie.
“Kiitos,” I tell her, pointing to the album. I’m not sure what exactly I’m thanking her for. Showing me that love does exist. Showing me a glimpse of the fun-loving girl she was when she was my age. Showing me places Kyle and I need to explore. Or maybe a bit of everything.
The movie theater isn’t busy when we arrive. We find empty seats near the middle and settle down for the show.
The movie is about a woman who has grown up with four brothers and is more comfortable tossing footballs as one of the guys than she is doing girlie things. But then her best friend convinces her to help with the friend’s bridal consultation business. Great, if she looked the part. But she doesn’t. So the hero, who is one of her brother’s friends, takes it upon himself to help the heroine become more ladylike.
It’s hilarious.
And it reminds me of Kyle.
The hero and the heroine spend a lot of time together, and learn more about each other and about themselves. Just like Kyle and me. Her makeover isn’t lost on me either. In the end, she and I want the same thing—a fresh start to a bright new future. Except in her case, the funny sexy guy is an added bonus.
Muumu and I laugh at the banter between the couple. The woman then decides she’s had enough of their innuendoes flinging back and forth. She kisses him—and he doesn’t complain. Tensions between them become heated and the next thing I know, clothes are being flung across the room and they end up in bed together.
No, that’s not awkward at all when you’re sitting next to your grandmother. Nor is the part where my brain remembers some of my steamier kisses with Kyle, and my body is having its own little party at the memory.
I’ll definitely need a cold shower if I plan to study tonight.
Once the movie is over, Muumu drives us home. My phone pings and I read the text from Kyle.
You’ve had phone sex while watchingStar Wars. True or false?
