Page 92 of Appointing

“Then, let’s walk a little tonight.”

Elin nodded. Ingrid found a gray beanie that didn’t exactly go with Elin’s dress and put it on Elin’s head. She grabbed a pair of Sarah Anne’s sunglasses and put them on right after.

“Cute,” she said.

“Oh, it… Yeah? I mean–”

“I prefer your eyes, though,” Ingrid added.

“My…” Elin looked down at their feet, which were extremely close together now. “I’m nervous, Ingrid; I think I should just tell you that upfront.”

“I know,” Ingrid replied, taking Elin’s hand. “I am, too.”

“Youare?”

Ingrid entwined their fingers and said, “Yes. But I think one of us is going to have to at least appear like she is not, or we’ll never get out complete sentences.”

Elin laughed and looked back up and into Ingrid’s green eyes.

“I suppose, that’s true.”

“Come on,” Ingrid prompted.

They walked down the hall after Ingrid locked up and met security by the elevator.

“We’re going to take a walk,” she told them.

“Majesty, I’m not sure a walk is a good idea.”

“I have a disguise,” Elin replied. “I’ll be okay. Can you have them follow in the car?”

“Of course, Ma’am,” he replied. “We’ll have one agent in front of you and one behind. Would that be all right?”

“At least a few meters in front and behind, please.”

“Ma’am?”

“Please. Everyone thinks I’m at Bygdøy with my family anyway.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he relented.

They went down the elevator with the two guards standing behind them. Once they were outside, the guards went to the car, gave instructions to the driver, and one of them walked back to Ingrid.

“We’re just going two blocks straight ahead and then taking a left,” Ingrid told him.

He nodded and began walking. Elin waited a moment. Then, Ingrid took her hand again, and they started walking.

“Is this okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” Elin replied with a gulp.

She’d never held hands in public with another woman before. It felt good. It feltreallygood. She wanted to do this all the time; to always have Ingrid’s hand to hold.

“Where are we going?” Elin asked.

“It’s not far,” Ingrid promised.

“But you’re not telling me where?”

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