Across the Music (Across the Ocean Book 2) (21 page)

"
Gjörðu svo vel, elskan mín
." Loki says when he passes it to her hands. She doesn't question what he says, just leans forward and kisses him softly on his stubbled cheek. He accepts it with a small grin before he turns and climbs back into the car, giving Sophie and I a moment alone. She looks over at me quietly for a long moment, as though contemplating something important. She finally opens her mouth to speak.

"Thank you. Thank for you inviting me, and for everything. I didn't have any idea what would happen when I got into the car to head to the summerhouse with you, but it exceeded my expecations. Your friends are incredible, and I can see why everyone likes you so much." She pauses for a moment, glancing away towards her building while considering her next words. "I'm unsure though, if we should pursue something romantic between any of us. I'm looking forward to making music with you and Loki, and I don't want to let myself be the cause of any potential conflict that could occur between the two of you." She swallows as though this is difficult for her. My stomach is sinking, and the bubbling happiness that has been flowing through me is dying quickly.

"So, you want to just stay friends?" I say it a bit harsher than I intended, my voice flat and emotionless. I see her brows furrow together, concern obvious in her gorgeous green eyes.

"I think it's smart." But nothing of how she feels. Was she not moved by all that has transpired in such a short time, as I am? Does she maybe prefer Loki? Maybe these thoughts are the exact things she's talking about.

"I'll do my best." I don't really know what else to say at this moment. She nods, with the frown and an unhappy slope to her mouth. Her hands grip the straps of her bag more firmly as she hoists it up to rest against her hip, her eyes searching into mine.

"Am I still allowed to make music with you, even still?" I'm surprised by her question, but it's not unjustified. My reaction to her request was rather poor, and slides me into the group with all those 'guys' who appear to only be about sex. It's one sure way to make me look like a complete tool.

"Sophie, of course you are more than welcomed and desired to have in our group, making music with us. There was no stipulation of fun between the sheets in order to do so. It'd be our pleasure." Her face relaxes into a small yet hesitant smile at my words, and I'm hoping I've averted a crisis.

"Do you want to come over a few times this week to practice with us and listen to some of our unfinished tracks?" I give her a smile, trying to convey just how much I want her around; with or without sex. She nods earnestly, her eyes wide and sparkling again with enthusiasm.

"I'd love to. You'll text me when you're available?" I nod in confirmation. "Great. Thank you so very much for everything, Gunnar. You don't even know how much you've affected me." She quickly bounces up onto her tiptoes, plants a soft and sweet kiss upon my lips before I can blink, turns on her heel and walks towards her flat. How much I affect her? I like the sound of that.

Once back inside the driver's seat, I turn to look at Loki, realizing that his window is rolled down. He returns my look, his brows pinched together in the middle.

"Did you hear what she said?"

"
Já
," he mutters, turning his head to look out of the windshield. "At least most of it."

"What do you think about it?" He shrugs nonchalantly, but it's always hard to tell what Loki is thinking.

"Maybe she's found a good thing with all of us, and she doesn't want to mess it up. I can get that. It doesn't sound like much more than that." I hope he's right.

The last few days passed by quickly and mostly unnoticed. Hilary had been working late nights, and her husband is out of town on business so I was alone (unless you count Marissa, Hilary's cat). Hilary is also scheduled to make a trip out of the country for at least a week, soon. I filled most of my time trying to catch up on the current popular television shows, movies, cuddling on Marissa, and the occasional walk. I was more of a bum than anything; my hair in a messy and unkempt bun on top of my head, the same pajama pants since I got home. I'm pretty gross.

I haven't heard from Gunnar yet; three days after I had told him I just wanted to be friends. A big part of me assumed that I would never hear from him again, even though I looked at and picked up my phone at an alarming rate these three days. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've allowed myself to enter such a state of disarray simply because I was concerned that he wouldn't contact me again. So I won't admit it. I'm just taking these days easy, being a slob is totally the hip new thing to do. I bet you do it. Besides, I wouldn't wait forever or anything. It's not like I broke up with somebody, even though that's exactly what it feels like. None of it makes any sense.

Before the summerhouse, Gunnar and I frequently exchanged text messages; I suppose I assumed that we would continue on that same path. I'm just as able to call him as him calling me, but I wanted to maybe be certain that he wanted me around anyways.

As though reading my mind, my phone screen lights up, and the body begins to vibrate noisily on the coffee table where my feet are lazily resting. I bolt upright in my seat, staring at my phone cautiously as though it is a bomb about to explode. I don't want to get my hopes up, but only a few people know my phone number in this country. My hand snakes out and grabs it from the table, looking at the number calling; Gunnar. My heart leaps into my throat, threatening to choke me, while my face practically splits in two with how wide and large my smile is. I hastily hit the 'accept' option and put the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I say breathlessly, trying to sound as though I haven't been waiting for him to call.

"Hey Sophie. " Gunnar's easygoing voice in my ear instantly assuages my fears and concerns. He doesn't sound cautious or unsure, but rather chipper and relaxed. My shoulders slump down wih relief.

"Hello, mate." I say in the steadiest voice I can muster. I'm being ridiculous, letting my girly ways get the best of me and making me question the silliest things. I need to calm down and stop over analyzing everything. It's embarrassing. I clear my dry throat and wait for him to pick up the conversation.

"It's good to hear your voice," his murmurs over the line, his accent sexy and welcome. "I was hoping you'd like to come and practice with us tonight or tomorrow night. If you don't have anything planned?" My eyes dart over to the clock on the wall; it's 20:00 and early yet. I glance down at myself and cringe at how disgusting I am. Several moments pass while I contemplate how quickly I could get ready.

"Is that a no?" Gunnar's voice sounds partially humored as well as unsure, bringing me back to the conversation quickly.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. I'd love to. I need to take a shower and get dressed though. I can be there in about an hour and a half, if I take a taxi. Is that alright?" I can hear a mumbling as Gunnar talks to someone else while his hand covers the mouth piece.

"Loki is going to come get you. He says he'll be there in an hour, if you send me your address in an SMS." I smile, excited to see them again.

"Sounds great, I'll do that. See you in a bit."

"Can't wait." I can hear the smile in his voice as he says this, and then hangs up. I stand up from my spot on the couch and do a crazy dance, flailing arms and legs in random directions in my giddy happiness. I just hope being friends with them is easier in person.

Forty-five minutes later, I'm almost ready to go. I finish applying the final sweeps of my lashes with the mascara wand, screw the tube back together, and do a double check of my appearance.

I kept it simple, since we'll just be rehearsing. I left my wet hair down to dry, and will probably leave it that way. No makeup, except for mascara, and a casual navy blue maxi dress with tiny little burgundy flowers and green leaves all over it. I'll slide on a pair of sandals when I head out the door, and then I'll be ready.

Having sent the SMS with my address to Gunnar earlier, I'm anticipating seeing Loki again, even though it's only been three days since the last time I saw him. Somehow it feels like forever. The butterflies that take flight in my stomach when I think of seeing Gunnar again cause me to stop pacing back and forth in the living room.

Adjusting my dress for the tenth time, I look out the living room window and see that the sun is getting lower in the sky. There is still light outside; but as each day passes, the sun sets a little lower. I can see all the way to that round building, Perlan with the trees surrounding it.

I hear a knock on the door, startling me as well as bringing me back to the here and now. Taking quick steps to the entryway of the house, I turn the handle and open the door. Loki stands in front of me, a pair of dark sunglasses covering his beautiful blue eyes. His hair has a slightly different angle to the cut, and I imagine he's played around with it in the last few days.I like it. The sides are cut a little closer, and the top is left longer in a short faux-hawk.

"Hey." I say faintly.

"Hey." he returns, his voice calm, cool and collected. He takes a step and leans towards me in greeting; wrapping one arm lightly around my waist to give me a quick hug and soft yet light kiss on my cheek. I know it's customary here, rather than a come on from him, but I secretly wish it was. He looks absolutely delectable right now, and my pulse has already accelerated from proximity and the masculine scent of his cologne.

My eyes trail over to his soft, full lips; the dimple in his chin. I can still feel the warmth from where they pressed against my cheek. The scruff on his cheeks is still there, and I know that if he was to rub his face over my skin (oh dear God, please do) then my skin would probably rash up in the best way. His basic white v-neck tshirt and denim jeans are finished with a black leather jacket. He oozes sex appeal, and I have to stop myself from licking my lips. I watch his eyes take in my appearance as well, and there is the slightest flick of one eyebrow and lift to the side of his mouth in appreciation.

Our eyes meet and hold for several moments before he gives me a genuine smile and gestures towards my shoes on the rack next to the front door.

"You should put your shoes on so we can get going." I move quickly into motion, sliding on a pair of sneakers and snatching my jacket from the hook on the wall above the shoes. Turning the lights off and locking the front door behind me, I follow him down the walk-path to where Gunnar's car sits against the sidewalk on the street. Loki opens the door for me like a gentleman, quiet as ever. I slide into my seat and buckle my belt while Loki climbs into his side and buckles in as well. Within moments, we're driving on the streets, and I'm glancing over at his profile.

"Why haven't you called us?" he asks suddenly. I blink, surprised by the abruptness of his question.

"I'm not sure. I just wanted to give you guys some space if you... I don't know, didn't want to 'just be friends'," I shrug and hold my hands out; palms up. Loki glances at me for a moment before looking back towards the road.

"We missed you," he says simply. My heart clenches, touched that he would say something like this to me. My mind instantly goes to Gunnar, imagining him thinking of me; missing me and wishing I was around. I like the thought of that. Generally, I like the idea of any moment where Gunnar would be thinking of me. Truthfully, I missed them both a lot.

"Back at you, mate," I murmur with a grin at him, cheerful and full of joy that everything should be alright after all.

Ten minutes later, and we've arrived at Gunnar and Loki's apartment. We make quick work of the stairs, and are soon standing inside the hallway, removing our shoes and jackets. Gunnar walks out of the small room I originally met Loki in, a huge and brilliant smile spread across his face. My heart skips a beat or two, and I'm breathless just seeing his face; blue eyes glittering in happiness before I can't see anything as his arms wrap around me in a warm and welcoming hug.

When he releases me after many long moments of playful swaying, beaming down at me.

"Want to make some music?" He asks me, one eyebrow raised. I nod quickly, feeling giddy and excited at the prospects of the evening.

Half an hour later, we've set up all the gear and prepared for music making in the small room I originally met Loki in. Loki sits to my right next to the door out to the patio with his guitar in his hand, while Gunnar has set up his laptop, mixers, and keyboard on the table to my left. They connected a microphone to the laptop as well, in hopes to possibly record a few things we attempt tonight.

Gripping the microphone tightly in my hands, I smooth my fingers over the latticed caging over the top; anxiousness, nervousness and excitement filling my stomach. What if they don't like my singing or ideas? Surely I should be confident in this already since they've heard me sing more than once and they still want me around. I need to get over my insecurities, remember that I am a person of worth and value and I have a gift for singing.

Gunnar takes a minute or two adjusting programs on his laptop while Loki tunes his guitar and I merely sit and watch them, fidgeting in my chair. I take this moment to look at both of them; so serious and into the music they are about to make. Two men who have been nothing but welcoming, generous and kind to me. Thinking back to the more intimate times I shared with them, I realize that neither of them demanded a single thing from me. They had given to me with no expectations of anything else. I can only imagine how rare this must be. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for having both of them in my life.