“It’s going to be a fantastic launch, I can feel it,” Elnaz said. Then she suddenly put down her glass. “Hello, what have we here?” She picked up the gossip magazine lying next to Nora’s mirror. Nora had hoped that Elnaz wouldn’t notice it—which she hadn’t, until now.
She held it up, beaming.Henrik Eklund in Love with Small-Town Baker.“Have you read it?”
Nora nodded. She must have read the article twenty times, but it was still just as weird to see her face on the cover—being kissed by Henrik onstage in the middle of her town square.
“I assume that both TV24 and the production team have been high-fiving each other until their palms hurt,” Nora said.
“Something like that,” Elnaz admitted. “This is the best PR the show could possibly have. We’re perfectly positioned for the premiere next week.”
Nora nodded; she couldn’t help smiling too. After all the twists and turns during filming, she actually felt quite good; it was going to be a really good show.
“Henrik’s had a busy time with the press over the past few days,” Nora said. She didn’t normally gossip like this—maybe it was the cava talking—but she wanted to know what Elnaz thought of the statement Henrik had made earlier in the week.
Elnaz nodded. “I think it was generous of him to do what he did.”
Henrik had posted on social media about the part he had played in Bente’s downfall. How wrong it had been of him not to defend her when she was attacked by the press.I was feeling hurt and chose to keep quiet. What upsets me most is that my career was boosted by what happened to her, which shows how skewed the TV world can be. I want to apologize to Bente for the fact that I never attempted to stand up for her.
It was the first time he had spoken about their separation, and it had attracted a great deal of attention. Nora couldn’t help wonderinghow Bente had reacted—what if they got back together? Maybe they were already seeing each other. What if Nora was too late?
They finished their drinks and left the salon. The city was shrouded in snow, which made everything eerily quiet. Magnificent thick green garlands, swathes of fir, and shining red ornaments hung down over the street as they walked to the venue where the launch was to take place.
When they arrived, Nora was directed to a small conference room for clothes and makeup. As she made her way along the corridor, she looked around for Henrik. She felt as though she was holding her breath. What should she say when she saw him? Did he even want to talk to her?
Sara was already waiting for her when she arrived; a large mirror was propped against one wall.
“Perfect timing—I’ve just finished with Henrik.”
Nora’s heart gave a little leap. He was already here!
“Wow, your hair looks fantastic!” Sara said, then got to work on her makeup. Then it was time to get dressed. “These are the clothes I’ve picked out for you—what do you think?”
Nora admired the dark-blue velvet pantsuit with a wraparound jacket. It felt festive and upscale, but trendy at the same time.
Nora changed and put on a pair of high-heeled pumps. When she looked in the mirror, she couldn’t help smiling. Then Elnaz came in, accompanied by a man about the same age as Nora. “This is Adrian, who handles all the publicity for the show. He’ll be running the press launch today.”
“We’re starting in fifteen minutes, but you’re welcome to get something to eat and mingle a bit until then,” Adrian said to Nora.
She followed them into the main room, which was already crowded with journalists, photographers, members of the production team, and representatives from TV24. The corner room had amazing views over the waters of Nybroviken and the Royal Dramatic Theater. She looked around. In one corner was a table laden with steaming glasses of mulled wine and soda. Fir garlands and gold ornaments adorned the room, and the large Advent stars hanging in the windows provided a warm glow while Christmas music played in the background.
Elnaz greeted someone she knew, exchanged air-kisses with someone else, then drew Nora in and introduced her. “This is Nora, who’s appearing in the Christmas special ofLet’s Get Baking. She’s an amazing baker, and a real star on TV.”
Nora smiled; she wasn’t convinced that this was true, but it sounded good. As they moved slowly through the room, she looked around for Henrik.
When she saw him, she stopped dead. Just seeing him was painful, because she felt so uncertain about their future. He was wearing a white shirt and a pair of dark-blue jeans. His dark hair was carelessly brushed back. How she loved that thick, slightly coarse hair, and the feeling of it beneath her fingers! He was chatting with another man, laughing in a way that lit up his whole face. Then he noticed her, stopped laughing—and smiled.
A moment later, they were standing in front of Henrik. Elnaz gave him a hug, and he and Nora gazed at each other in silence.
The man next to Henrik introduced himself to Nora as the CEO of the production company. When Elnaz started talking to him, Nora took a step closer to Henrik. There was something she had to say.
“I’m sorry for what I said about us,” she murmured. “Have you got time to talk after the launch?”
He nodded. “Of course.” Then he placed a hand on her shoulder and drew her slowly into a hug. She laid her head on his chest, she could hear the steady beating of his heart, and she let out a long breath. Everything was going to be all right.
A loud voice interrupted them. Nora stepped away and turned around. It was Hasse Eklund.
“Good evening, Henrik.” Hasse was beaming. Henrik’s expression was uncertain.
“Didn’t you know I was coming? They wanted me here—apparently they’ve included a couple of scenes fromChristmas with the Eklunds, and thought it would be good if I showed up.”
