Page 9 of Entwined in Norway

‘No, of course not. From Bergen. No one’s ever done that before.’

Ingrid snorted. ‘What a loser. Why didn’t he get the boat like a normal person?’

Ida felt bizarrely defensive on Erik Anderson’s behalf. ‘No, he’s the opposite of a loser. He’s very…’

‘Attractive?’

Ida rolled her eyes. She should have known Ingrid would hit the nail on the head immediately. That was why she’d called. To get a sense check. But Erik Anderson still wasn’t a loser. ‘Yes. We only said a few words to each other, but… it sounds ridiculous.’

‘It’s not ridiculous. Sometimes you like the look of someone and there’s a weird feeling of connection even if you don’t say anything.’

How did Ingrid become so wise? ‘Do you think that’s normal?’

‘Everything is normal when it comes to things like this. There’s not a way it should happen, and it’s not wrong to feel whatever you’re feeling.’

‘Okay. Thanks. It’s been a while.’ Longer than a while. ‘I don’t want to make a fool of myself.’

‘You won’t, Ida.’ Ingrid sounded so confident. It was reassuring. ‘What’s his name?’

‘I’m not telling you. I’ll google him myself when I’m ready.’

Ingrid laughed. ‘Spoilsport. You can’t blame me for wondering what your type is. This is the first time you’ve ever expressed any interest in a man.’

‘Maybe it’s just the first time I’m sharing it with you.’

‘I know it isn’t. You know what? Go for it. Let yourself have some fun with this guy. Like a reverse holiday romance.’

That made sense. A short-lived fling with someone who might be open to the same thing if he was on holiday alone, assuming he was actually single. It seemed like a safe bet for her first foray into… she was hesitant to label it dating, but that’s basically what she was thinking about. Dating Erik Anderson. The capable kayaker.

‘I might see if I can strike up a conversation with him that isn’t to do with mealtimes or the turndown service.’

‘Do it. Let me know what happens.’

Ida hung up, feeling slightly less out of her depth. She was overthinking the whole thing. He might not even like her, although the weird salute felt as if it was an indication that he’d been thrown in the same way as her. If not, that could be a red flag.

She stood up, shoved her phone into the back pocket of her trousers and strolled back to the hotel along the path that led past the cabins and through the woods. Mats was coming along the path towards her.

‘I was just taking a break,’ she said.

‘I don’t care,’ he said, grinning. ‘You’re the boss.’

‘What are you up to?’

‘I’m making a start on the cabin for Fredrik. I thought one of the ones by the water so Emil can fish.’

‘Already? We only talked about it last night.’

‘I want to be busy. Besides, the weather is finally nice enough that I can work outside.’

‘I’ll have mine on the opposite side of the woods when you get to it.’

He grinned. ‘Not next door?’

‘Well, you know I don’t really mind. I suppose it would be more fun being closer together. I spoke to Ingrid.’

‘How is she? I’ve asked Fredrik to make sure he catches up with her next time he’s in Oslo.’

‘She’s okay,’ Ida said, realising that she hadn’t asked her sister anything about herself. Mats used to see her regularly when he lived in Oslo, and she knew he worried about her being in the city by herself now that he’d moved away. ‘You know Ingrid.’