58 Chapter five, 2016, falling in love: 14 (1/2)

”There's something that's been bugging me all this time. We're here together...”

”Mm, here together,” Christina interrupted and snuggled up closer.

'I can feel your body right through that dress. And you know I can.' ”Christina, I'm trying to be serious here.” He gave up and held her just a little bit tighter. It felt good. Really good.

”OK I got it. You were saying?” But she didn't let go.

”You and Kyoko went to middle school for one year, just like me.”

”Yes?”

”Doesn't that mean we probably arrived here at the same time?”

Christina did let him go at that. ”Yes, when you put it like that. Yes I guess so.” She took a bite of her candied apple.

They moved away from the stalls a bit. The fireworks were about to start, and he wanted a spot from where they could see them better.

”So I wonder, what happened to you. I mean back in Sweden?”

”You mean how I arrived here?”

”Yes.”

She looked thoughtful. ”I needed a break, so I was out hiking. You see I got this really nice invitation to a spa, and… Ulf?”

”You got this really nice invitation?” He felt the blood drain from his face.

”Ulf, what's wrong?”

”Later, we'll talk about that later, OK?”

”OK. Anyway, I got a bit lost and the wind got stronger. I found a funny cabin built into a mountainside and thought I could get shelter there.”

'I saw her. There was a woman outside when I looked out the window. I tried to wave her inside.' ”That was you! You didn't see me so I went outside, and, well.”