Page 81 of The Secret to Belonging

what about you-know-who?

relax, she says. she’s not a nun

he knows she’s going to have fun on vacation

but aren’t you worried?

about what? reapplying her lipstick

he likes that other men find me sexy

this makes no sense to you

when you think about Espen with another girl…

but what about getting VD?

or your host mom finding out?

she chucks you under the chin like a child

cara mia, you think too much

she pouts at herself in the mirror

besides

not everyone can have a hunky Viking in love with them

sometimes sex is just about fun

Espen grew up in a fishing village

on a tiny island north of Gledevik

only a few hundred kilometers as the kråke flies

but a five-hour drive along the fjords and via ferry

he borrows his uncle’s car for the trip

Alison sleeps hungover in the backseat

you’re the official DJ

rotating through cassettes from the glove box

you haven’t told Espen about Alison’s affair

you’re not exactly hiding it

but you also don’t want him to know

you’re afraid he’ll judge her

you really want them to get along

they’re your two closest friends