Shoulder Season by Jackie North

Author:Jackie North [North, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64080-615-3
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2018-08-10T05:00:00+00:00

IN THE morning Ben was up and dressed and ready to go and was out the door in under five minutes. He didn’t want to waste any time, and not being with Solvin felt like wasted time. As he stood outside of Solvin’s door in the chilly morning air, he zipped up his jacket and then knocked. Ben wondered if it was too early (what was early to an Icelander?) and whether it might turn out that Solvin wanted to stay at home today.

But before Ben could knock again, the door opened, and there stood Solvin. He had his jacket and hat on, his phone against his ear, and his cane in his other hand. He waved Ben to come in, and when Ben stepped inside, he saw a small gray rucksack on Solvin’s couch and wondered what it was for.

“Ja, ja,” said Solvin into the phone. “Takk fyrir.” Then he hung up the phone and stuffed it in his coat pocket as he turned to Ben with a smile.

“I’ve been given permission to go to the Blue Lagoon today,” said Solvin.

“You need permission?” asked Ben, though he was mostly joking as he stood there with his hands in his jacket pockets, smiling like an idiot at Solvin.

“Well, not really,” said Solvin. “But my doctor has been taking good care of me so far, so I don’t want to jinx it by going against her wishes.”

“I see,” said Ben, and really it was quite funny to be having such an ordinary conversation when all he wanted to do was be close to Solvin, to hug him, to tumble him on the couch and smother him with kisses. It felt so good to be with somebody who was easy to get along with and who didn’t take offense at every little word or gesture. Instead Solvin seemed to like the things Ben said and did, and indeed, seemed to like Ben just like he was.

“What’s that for?” asked Ben as he pointed at the rucksack on the couch.

“It’s got my swimming trunks in it,” said Solvin. “And a pair for you, if you need them. The towels and shoes and things we rent at the Blue Lagoon.”

“Oh,” said Ben. If he’d been better prepared for Iceland, he’d already have known about the Blue Lagoon and brought along the required trunks. Now he was being given the opportunity to wear Solvin’s, which did certain and not unpleasant things to his insides. “Thank you.”

“I’ve already called a cab,” said Solvin. “I don’t like to eat before I swim, but we can eat at the restaurant after, would that be okay?”

“Yes,” said Ben because nothing could be better than being with Solvin for what sounded like a very long span of time. They could have gone to a rock museum, for all he cared, as long as he could look at those blue eyes and see the warmth of Solvin’s smile.

A car horn sounded in the street, and Solvin turned to Ben, and for the first time Ben saw a bit of concern in Solvin’s expression.

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