Jasper leans back in his chair and chuckles softly, running a hand through his blonde hair. “It’s another thing I like about you,” he winks.
This man. Damn, I’m lucky to be here with him.
“Thank you for the tickets and all the other things you have arranged for us. This is beyond the best winter break ever.”
“Now, let’s finish this food. We leave in four hours, we need to pack.”
His comment makes me panic. “Four hours?”
“It’ll be fine, trust me. You came to Finland with everything you need, so you just need to put your clothes and other things back in the suitcases. I can help you pack if that helps.”
I take a deep, calming breath. “Thanks—you’re right. I’m just one of those people who start packing days in advance.”
“Why am I not surprised by that?”
“Shush you.”
Jasper’s laughter fills the restaurant, making a few heads turn our way, as I take my last bite of the Finnish-style pancakes served with strawberry jam and vanilla ice cream. I hear someone say his name in the background, but he doesn’t react to it, so I don’t either.
I still can’t believe he arranged this for us, and I feel overwhelmed with emotion. It’s been a long time since someone outside my family and Lottie has gone out of their way to make me feel this special.
* * *
As we leave the restaurant and walk toward his place, the excitement of our trip starts to set in.
“Have you ever been to Lapland before?” I ask Jasper.
“Yeah, a couple of times. It’s one of my favorite holiday spots, so I’m excited to share it with you.”
“The thought of seeing the Northern Lights makes me all giddy.”
“They are something magical.”
“Do you think we’ll be able to see them?”
He shrugs like he often does if he doesn’t have a clear answer. “Let’s hope so. You never know what you’ll get with Mother Nature, though.”
“I know…but I’m still hoping for the best!”
As soon as we get to his apartment, I run around and throw my clothes and toiletries into my suitcase haphazardly. On the other hand, Jasper is more methodical in his packing, carefully folding each garment.
“I have been meaning to ask—why Lapland?” he questions, as he neatly tucks in a sweater and looks at my messy pile again.
“My mom wanted to meet Santa, so my dad and I googled our options—Lapland seemed like the place to be.”
“That makes sense. Are you excited to finally get there?”
I toss another shirt in my open suitcase. “Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now!”
“But shouldn’t you pack everything a little more…nicely?”
“I first see which item goes to which bag and then repack them.”
“I see.”
“Are you judging my packing methods?”
“A little,” he admits with a twinkle in his eyes.
