Chapter 9
NINE
Jem
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and smooth my hands down the front of my dress for what has to be the tenth time.
“You’re going to wear a hole in it if you keep doing that,” Rowan says from behind me.
“I can’t help it,” I admit, turning slightly to look at her. “I’m nervous!”
“Why? You’ve already been out with Rune, and you love me, so…” She trails off with a wide smirk.
To be honest, I was kind of surprised when Rune agreed to come on the double date. He doesn’t like social situations much, and I was sure he was going to shoot me down.
“This just feels… real,” I finish quietly. “He thinks it’s all pretend, but this? There’s no reason to do this unless he likes me. Right?”
“He does like you,” Rowan insists, leaning against my bed like she doesn’t have a care in the world. “And you love him.”
I press my lips together, fighting the smile that wants to take over my face as she sings the word love.
“I do,” I whisper.
Saying it out loud makes it feel more real somehow. Bigger. Scarier.
Rowan’s expression softens, and she stands, taking my hands in hers and giving them a squeeze. “It’s all going to be okay. I promise.”
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes on the counter.
Rune: I’m here.
My heart jumps into my throat. It’s time. Tonight feels huge. It feels like we’re on the precipice of a big shift in our relationship.
“Oh, my god,” I whisper, my hands smoothing over my dress again.
“Let’s go!” Rowan says, grinning like a menace.
We leave my bedroom to where Heath, Rowan’s husband, is waiting for us.
“You look gorgeous,” he says as soon as he spots Rowan.
She makes a beeline for him. I smile as she wraps her arms around his waist and grins up at him.
“Rune is here. Ready to go?” she asks him.
He nods, wrapping his arm around her waist as we turn and head for the door. I grab my jacket and hurry after them.
“We’ll meet you at Palmer’s?” Heath asks. “Or did you want to ride together?”
“We’ll meet you,” I tell them.
I want to be alone with Rune. If things don’t go well, at least I can make a quick escape and get a ride home with Heath and Rowan.
Rune is leaning against his truck when I step outside, and my breath catches. He’s wearing dark jeans and a black button-up, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair is slightly messy, as if he’s run his hands through it one too many times.
He looks up when he hears the door, and the second his eyes land on me, his whole body stills. Heat floods my chest.
“Shortcake. You look beautiful,” he says, his voice low.
I smile. “Thank you.”
He pushes off the truck and walks over, his gaze never leaving mine. When he reaches me, his hand settles on my waist like it belongs there. “You ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Ahem,” Rowan says dramatically.
I tear my eyes away from Rune to look at them. “Oh, right.” I clear my throat. “Rune, this is my best friend, Rowan, and her husband, Heath. Guys, this is Rune.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rowan says, practically bouncing forward to greet Rune.
“You too,” Rune says, shaking Rowan’s and Heath’s hands.
I reach for Rune’s truck door. “We’ll meet you at Palmer’s.”
He pushes my hand away and opens the door for me, gripping my waist as he boosts me into the seat. I see Rowan and Heath walk over to his fancy SUV, and he opens the door for her too.
“Are you nervous?” I ask Rune as he climbs behind the wheel and starts his truck.
“For what?”
“Dinner…”
“Oh. No. Why? Should I be?”
“No, I just wanted to check.”
“Your friends seem nice.”
“You only said hi to them.” I laugh.
“Yeah, but if they’re friends with you, they have to be good people. If you trust and like them, so do I.”
“Good,” I say softly.
Palmer’s Steakhouse is only a few blocks over, and we make small talk on the short drive. Rune asks me about wedding planning and work, and I ramble about how busy Fern and I have been.
We pull in next to Rowan and Heath and all climb out at the same time. Rune takes my hand, and we walk up to the front door together.
“Hi, reservation for Heath. Party of four,” Heath tells the ma?tre d.
She nods, grabbing the menus and leading us to our table in the corner. I’ve never been to Palmer’s before, and I look around with wide eyes. The place is swanky, with crisp white tablecloths and candles in the center of each table. Soft, soothing jazz music plays in the background.
Rune pulls my chair out for me, and I smile my thanks as I take my seat. We all sit down, and Rune’s hand settles on my thigh under the table. It’s warm and possessive. Comforting. It seems to say mine.
My breath hitches slightly.
“So,” Rowan says, clearly ready to stir the pot. “How did you two meet?”
“The market,” I say quickly, shooting her a look.
“She asked me out,” Rune adds.
I freeze.
Rowan’s eyes light up like Christmas morning. “She did?” she asks, pretending she didn’t already know that.
Rune nods, glancing at me with a small smirk.
“Walked right up and asked me to be her date.”
I groan, covering my face. “I hate both of you.”
Rune’s thumb traces small circles on my thigh under the table as they laugh, and I melt a little more.
We all relax after that, talking about what looks good as we scan the menus.
Conversation flows, and I find myself watching Rune more than anything.
The way he listens. The way he leans back in his chair but keeps his attention on me.
The way his hand never leaves me, like he needs to be touching me at all times.
This doesn’t feel fake. Not even a little.
I watch how Rune acts with Rowan and Heath. He’s relaxed and seems happy to be here with all of us. He keeps checking in with me, and every time I smile or laugh, he seems to relax even more.
“How’s the wedding planning coming?” Rowan asks me.
I smile. “I think we’re all set. Her dress alterations have been completed, and we did the final try-on this morning. She looks gorgeous!”
“I can’t wait to see her in it!” Rowan says.
“We’re going to work on the last-minute stuff like centerpieces this weekend,” I tell them.
“I can help if you want,” Rowan offers.
Rune clears his throat. “Me too,” he says, looking a little awkward.
“Yeah, me too,” Heath adds, taking Rowan’s hand and threading their fingers together.
“I’ll tell Fern and let you know,” I say.
The server comes back with some bread and butter for the table. We all place our orders, and I grab my water, taking a sip.
“So, what do you do?” Heath asks Rune.
“I manage the lumberyard,” he says. “Well, for now.”
“What?” I blurt out.
Is he quitting his job? Is he leaving town?
Rune glances at me, something warm flickering in his eyes. “My boss is looking to sell the place. Who knows what the next owner will want to do with it?”
“I heard you’re trying to buy it,” Heath says casually.
I blink. I didn’t know that.
“You are?” I ask, turning to Rune.
He looks slightly caught off guard, then nods. “Yeah. I’m working on it.”
“That’s amazing,” I say, my chest swelling with pride.
He shrugs again, but I can tell it matters to him.
“It’s a long shot,” he admits. “It’s expensive.”
“How much is he looking to get?” Heath asks.
“Five million.”
Rowan chokes on her drink.
My mouth drops open. “Jeez!”
“Five million?” Rowan squeaks.
Heath nods thoughtfully. “I could invest.”
The table goes quiet.
“You… what?” I ask.
Heath shrugs. “I’ve been looking for something new. If the numbers make sense, I’m in.”
Rune stares at him for a second, then nods slowly. “We can talk. Not tonight.”
My heart does this weird, fluttery thing in my chest. My worlds are colliding—my best friend and the man I love. Because, yes, I love him, and it feels so incredibly right.
Dinner wraps up not long after that, and we all head outside. Rowan hugs me tightly while the guys shake hands.
“You better call me later,” she whispers.
“I will,” I promise.
She pulls back, giving me a look. “You’re glowing.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop smiling.
“Goodnight,” I say, hugging Heath too.
“Night,” he says, patting me awkwardly on the back.
Rowan and I share a look, both of us giggling, and I see Heath smile down at Rowan.
“See you guys!” I say as Rune’s hand finds mine again, and we head to the truck.
He opens my door, helps me in, and then we’re driving. It’s quiet, heavy… different.
“You had a good time?” he asks.
“I did,” I say softly.
“Good.”
We pull up in front of my apartment, and neither of us moves right away.
“I don’t want tonight to end,” I admit.
His grip on the steering wheel tightens. “Then don’t let it.”
My pulse spikes. “Come up with me.”
He doesn’t hesitate. We’re out of the truck and up the stairs in seconds. The moment the door closes behind us, I turn and kiss him. Hard.
His hands are on me instantly, pulling me against him like he’s been waiting all night.
“Jem,” he breathes against my lips. “Fuck, Shortcake.”
I tangle my fingers in his shirt, kissing him again, deeper this time. “I missed you,” I whisper.
“I missed you too,” he growls.
He backs me up until I hit the wall, his mouth never leaving mine. My heart is racing, my body on fire, everything spinning.
“Wait,” he says suddenly, pulling back.
I blink up at him, dazed.
“What?”
“We need to talk.”
Oh. Oh, no, I think as my stomach drops.
“Okay,” I say carefully.
He runs a hand through his hair, pacing like he’s trying to get it together. “I should have said this before, well… everything.”
My chest tightens. “Rune—”
“This isn’t fake for me,” he says, cutting me off.
I freeze. “What?” I whisper.
He steps closer again, his eyes locked on mine.
“I’m not pretending. I can’t pretend with you.
I’m… all in, Jem. I have been since the second you walked up to me in that damn store.
You caught me off guard at first, and Jesus, I was so happy.
Then, when you told me it would be fake, I didn’t know what to say.
I figured I could spend time with you and show you that we were right for each other. ”
My breath catches.
“I’m serious about you,” he continues. “I want you. Not just for a wedding. Not just for a few weeks. I want all of it.”
Tears sting my eyes. “You do?”
“Yes,” he says firmly. “I love you, Shortcake.”
The words hit me like a wave: fast, powerful, and inevitable. Instead of fear, all I feel is… right.
“I love you too.”
“You do?” he asks, as if he needs to hear it again.
“Yes,” I say, smiling through tears. “It’s fast, I know, but it’s felt right since the beginning. I’ve never felt like this before.”
Something cracks open in him. Relief, maybe? Possession. No… love.
“Fuck,” he breathes, pulling me into him.
He kisses me like it means everything, like he never wants the kiss to end.
“I want you with me,” he says against my lips. “At my place. Move in with me.”
My heart stutters. “Rune—”
“I don’t want to be away from you. Not if I don’t have to be.”
I laugh softly, cupping his face. “I will,” I promise. “After the wedding. I just… have too much going on right now.”
“I’ll handle it,” he says immediately.
I smile. “I know you will.”
I kiss him again, softer this time.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whisper. “I’m so glad I stopped for ice cream that night.”
He huffs out a laugh. “Me too.”
Then he lifts me into his arms like I weigh nothing.
“Rune—”
“Bed,” he says simply.
I don’t argue because I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.