Page 107 of Time To Learn

“Is this a touchy subject?” I ask him, keeping my voicelow.

His jaw clenches as his eyes turn back to mine. The anguish in them makes my stomach tie up in knots.

“Yes.”

I hold my breath for a beat, then slowly let itout.

“Why?”

He sighs deeply and leans back on the bench.

“It’s not something I talk about,” he clips.

I hate that he’s completely shut down onme.

“Will you try? Forme?”

I sit forward in my seat, trying to tell him with my eyes why this is so important tome.

“Are you going to tell me about your husband if I do?” he counters, making me grimace athim.

But I know it’s only fair that I open up to him, so I nod slowly.

“Yes, but not tonight.”

He nods slowly as he bites hislip.

“If this is the only way you’ll allow me under your skin, I’ll tell you. We may need something stronger than wine for this story, though.”

“Wait here,” I start and get up from my seat. “I think we have some whiskey in the library.” Hesitating, I meet his eyes. “Or…we could go there now, if you want? It’s more comfortable than sittinghere.”

Without answering, he leaves his seat, and I blow out the candles before I turn and go out of the kitchen. The sound of his soft footsteps as he follows me makes me happy. Happy that he’s here, but also happy that he’s trusting me—putting his faith in me, even when I haven’t really done anything to deserve it. It’s a heady feeling.

Our library is right next to our kitchen, and the low whistle Kristian lets out when we walk through the doorway makes me smile.

“Wow,” he murmurs. I glance at him before I settle down on the rug in front of the fireplace. “This room looks like it belongs in a fairytale.”

Proud, I glance at him as I turn on the fire—it’s only a fake fireplace as it wouldn’t be smart to have a real fire in a room like this. He beams at me, and I love seeing that the shadows have disappeared from his eyes—for now, at least.

“It does, doesn’t it?” I take in the square room as if I were seeing it for the first time. Out of all our rooms, this one has the highest ceilings. Every wall is covered in dark brown bookshelves, and they’re filled with books from floor to ceiling.

“It’s always been my favourite room.” I point at the plush wingback chair to my right. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll find the whiskey.”

I jump up and move to the small, square table to the left of the fireplace, which hides a bar underneath. Quickly, I grab the bottle that holds the last of what used to be Dad’s favourite whiskey and pour a generous amount for Kristian. Something tells me that he’s going to needit.

“Trying to get me drunk, Laura?” he smirks at me, legs stretched out before him, when I hand him his glass.

I grin athim.

“No, not tonight.” I look down at the label as sweet memories of Dad assault my senses. “It’s from the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochrie. I hope you likeit.”

Kristian’s eyes gentle briefly and I shrug.

“Always choose a whiskey that’s at least twelve years old,” I tell him conversationally and turnaway.

I go back to the bar and pour a glass for myself, though not as much as I gave Kristian, and then sit down in front of the fire. I cross my legs at my ankles and pull at my dress, attempting to cover my thighs.

Silently, I raise my glass at him and a take a cautious sip when he does the same, his eyes holding mine the entire time. The burn of the whiskey makes me hiss as the sharpness hits my tongue, then my palate, until it settles in my stomach, warmingme.