“Malin?” I was honestly shocked to find him here. “What are you doing out here?”
“Trying to find you, stupid.” He retorted, walking closer to me. “You’re absolutely soaked.”
“Well, that’s what being in the rain tends to do.” I snapped. I really wish that he would go away and leave me alone!
“Take my umbrella.” Malin made a move like he was going to extend said umbrella towards me.
Pushing his hand back, I spoke. “What’s the point? I’m already wet. You’ll just get wet too.” I never understood that sentiment. Here, let us both get soaked and sick. It’ll work out great.
“Let’s get back to the cottage, then.” I wanted to protest. However, Malin probably thought I was an idiot already and I did not want him to add to the list of reasons. So, I simply followed him. The walk was silent until we got to the door.
“Do you hate me?” Malin’s voice sounded almost hesitant. It sounded strange.
“What? No. Why…why would you think that?” Had I given him a reason to think that?
“You did slap me within an hour of meeting.”
“You touched my hair out of nowhere!”
“You refused to even consider showering together despite being married.”
“We’re strangers. You’re going to shower with a stranger?”
“You also punched me.” Malin pointed out. Seriously?! That was his argument. I hate him. I hate him so much.
“You did imply that my place is in the kitchen. No way am I gonna be a housewife.” I spat.
“Let’s go inside, you must want to get changed.” He opened the door and gestured for me to go inside.
“Wait a minute, that’s what you have to say?” He hadn’t tried to deny it.
“We can continue this after you’ve dried off.” I nearly tripped over my feet as Malin forced me inside.
I didn’t really have a choice in getting changed as I was completely soaked through. So I changed and Malin took my clothes to throw in the dryer. I don’t think I liked that very much. When I emerged from the bedroom, Malin was sitting at the kitchen table. He’d set up dinner.
“I’m not hungry.” I told him, not wanting to join him for a meal.
“You’re a terrible liar. Sit down and eat.” Crap. If I was really that bad, how long would it take for him to find out? I give it a day. However, I do sit down because, well, Malin’s right. I’m starving. I was silent for a few moments.
“Do you hate me?” It was my turn to ask the question that Malin had already asked.
“Why do you think I hate you?” He asked. His voice, for the first time, didn’t sound like he wanted to kill me.
“Well, you sound angry all the time…Am I not what you expected?” I asked. Even though I know I’m not. Malin just doesn’t know that yet.
“That’s just my voice. And no, you’re not. But who would be? Look, we have to make this work somehow.” I decided to stare at the table.
“I know we have to. It’s just…weird. And scary.”
“Scary?” How can he seriously sound confused about that?! Hello, married to a stranger here!
“Yeah. We don’t know anything about each other and now we’re expected to live together and do…other things…that married people do.”
“And what are these ‘other things?’” He asked, leaning in a bit with his elbows resting on the table.
“Shut up. You know what I mean.” Malin was about to act innocent again, I could see it. God, he’s annoying. “You’re smirking. So obviously you’re mocking me. Knock it off.” He put his hands up in surrender.
“Okay, okay.” He was still smiling, though. “But in all seriousness, you’re not the only one nervous about what the future has in store for us. So, just…relax and let’s start by being friends, yeah?”
How about no? My self-defense is sarcasm, but I had to bite my tongue to not say it out loud. Instead, I just nodded a bit.
“Friends.” Who start their friendship based on a huge lie? Great.
~~~~~~~~
We ate dinner and Malin prepared for bed as I cleaned the kitchen. It’s only fair. That was my argument. I was just putting the last plate away when Malin came out of one of the bedrooms.
“I know you likely won’t be comfortable with this, but…” Oh no. I already don’t like it. I turned around to face him, hoping it wasn’t bad. “It seems the bed broke the last time someone stayed here, and they didn’t have it replaced.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we only have one bed. So, we’re going to have to share as the couch really isn’t suitable for sleeping.”
“You’re saying we have to share the bed? Like sleep…together?” Please say no, please say no!
“Yes.”
Shit…
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