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“I don’t want to go to Paris!” Ruben blurted out. “That’s my problem. I want to stay here. Close to my parents, close to you. I love Ocean View. I also love to travel. But not to leave permanently. I want to be my own boss. I can’t tell you exactly what that means in the end yet. Maybe a restaurant in the city to begin with? The working hours will be hell. You’ll curse me.”

He looked so contrite that I kissed him again to distract him from his worries.

“Maybe,” I said with a smile.

“What?” Ruben’s voice was rough and crumpled. “What maybe?”

“Maybe I’ll curse. Curse your working hours. But not you! I’ll be happy that you included me in your decision. And that you’re doing what’s right for you after all.”

He snorted. “What would your advice be for my future?”

I stroked his neck. “The easiest thing would be for you to live in my bed.”

Ruben nodded thoughtfully. “Like mites? You’d develop an allergy.”

A loud laugh escaped me. “In such a romantic situation, it’s customary to say something equally romantic.”

Still nodding, he continued. “I’m missing the romantic aspect here. You sound more like a kidnapper. But I’ll try to react in a way you find appropriate if we ever find ourselves in a romantic situation.”

With a cry, I threw myself at him and he tried to fend me off, laughing loudly. “Help! A mite breeder is trying to kidnap me.”

“You’re impossible.”

He held my wrists with a big grin. His gaze softened.

“Man. We don’t even know what tomorrow will bring.”

I ran my thumb over the parts of his wrist I could reach.

“We don’t have to. Let’s see what the future holds for us together.”