“Put your number in here and call yourself. That way, we both have each other’s numbers.”
Taking the phone out of his hand, my fingers touch his longer than earlier. And it’s like sparks fly. Just like in every single romcom I’ve ever watched.Am I living my movie moment here in snowy Helsinki? Yeah, it sure feels like it.Lottie will love this when I tell her about my trip. She only knows that I met a smoking hot guy at the airport, since I texted her the first chance I had. But she won’t believe all the details.
It takes me a moment to clear my thoughts and remember the number I’ve used for almost twenty years. Jasper and his pure presence are making my brain melt. Chuckling awkwardly, I press call and watch as my phone lights up in my other hand. Thank fuck I remembered my number correctly. It would have been beyond embarrassing to be like, ‘Oh shit, it isn’t my number after all. Oops, one moment, please.’
As I hand his phone back, I dare one more glance at those eyes that I absolutely love. Yes, I freaking love his beautiful eyes, strong arms I saw earlier when he took off his hoodie (hi, forearm porn), and his laugh. Not to forget his silliness and jokes he told me after I helped with his back. It feels weird to say goodbye to him this soon, even though we just met.
Jasper tilts his head, like he can read my thoughts. “You know, we live in the same city. It’s not like we can’t see each other when we’re back home. So, enjoy your Finnish adventure, and I’ll catch up with you soon, Vivian.”
Without thinking about it too much, I hug him and take in his clean scent as my face is pressed into his chest. He bends closer to my face and kisses the corner of my lips before letting me go. His kiss can’t be considered our first kiss, but it was close enough to warm me up from the inside.
He must feel the same as his cheeks are getting some color. Clearing his throat, he turns to the luggage belt and spots his massive sports bag. It looks like you could fit a freaking human body inside it.
He grabs it and takes one last look at me. We stand there staring at each other, small smiles playing on our lips for a few seconds before a young boy says his name and walks over to say hi to him. Soon, more people are surrounding my new friend.
For a moment, I forgot that he’s a big hockey star in Finland. To me, he is just Jasper, the guy I met at the airport and got to know during the long flight. But now that I think about it, of course, someone would recognize him without the disguise.
* * *
Walking away from Jasper and his fans, I find the nearest exit. My phone rings right after I step outside into the frigid winter air. Even if it snows back home, it never feels this cold. My cheeks are on fire but like an icy fire instead of a warmer one.
As I get my phone out of my pocket, I see it’s my mom calling. She must have been checking my flight information like she often does whenever I travel. How sweet.
“Hi Mom, I’m safely in Helsinki—just landed and already got my suitcases. It looked so cool with all the trees and snow. You’ll love it even if it’s super cold here. I can’t wait to see you and Dad soon,” I tell her excitedly.
There’s a heavy sigh on the other end before my mom speaks, her voice apologetic. “Pumpkin, I’ve got some bad news. Your uncle Lawrence fell and broke his freaking hip. Can you believe it? He isn’t even that old. Anyway, your dad wanted to be there with his brother as he prepares for surgery. I’m sorry, my girl, but we can’t make it to Finland.”
My stomach drops as my mom’s words register. I lean against the nearest wall so I don’t fall to the cold ground outside the terminal. There’s no way this is happening. I’m all alone in a foreign country, across the pond, hours away from home.
It isn’t like I don’t have money to catch the next flight home. But what would be the point of traveling here and right back?
“Did you hear me, sweetheart? I know it’s very last-minute, but Lawrence needs our help right now.”
I do understand that. It still doesn’t make it any easier to hear that our plans got canceled at the last moment. “Yes, Mom, I heard you just fine. I’m just shocked.”
“We hate this too. Would you like me to book you flights back home?”
“You know what? I’ll stay here in Finland. There’s a lot to see in Helsinki, and now I have a reason to visit the places we would have missed otherwise.”
She sighs a relieved sigh on the other end of the line. I know this phone call was much harder for her than for me. “Good to hear that, Pumpkin. What will you do about accommodation if you don’t travel to Lapland tomorrow?”
Oh shit. It’s Christmas Eve Eve, and I’ve no idea where to go. I’ll stay in the airport hotel room I booked for tonight and search for other options starting tomorrow. There must be a place that has availability for me. It’s not like everything closes during the holidays.
“I’ll come up with a new plan before tomorrow’s checkout. It’ll be all fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me, and send all my best to uncle Lawrence,” I hardly get out before saying goodbyes and hanging up the call.
Wiping the tears in the corners of my eyes, I can’t believe this is happening. Like who the fuck has such bad luck? Well, apparently, I do. The last few months have been such a shit show that I don’t know what to think anymore.
As I walk toward the hotel entrance, dragging my two bright red suitcases behind me, I wonder if I want to stay in Helsinki the entire time or travel to Lapland as we planned. Is there any point in traveling there alone? Not knowing anyone in Finland, I don’t have many options.
Wait a second. Idoknow someone here. Someone whose smile is burned into my retinas.
I take out my phone and open up my recent calls. There, on the top, right after my mom, is the number I want. I press call and wait.
It rings a few times and just as I’m ready to hang up, he answers. “Jasper speaking.”
I can hear his smile through the phone, which also makes me smile, even though I was crying only a moment ago. “Hi there. It’s Vivian. I guess you’ve got my number, so you probably know that already.”
He laughs, and my insides warm once again.Damn him and his low laugh.“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting you to call me this soon, but I’m glad you did. What’s up?”
