Ethan barely managed to shut the door with his foot as he carried Kathrine into his condo, her arms loosely looped around his neck, her head resting against his shoulder as if she belonged there. The lights were off, the space quiet and unfamiliar to her, but peaceful.
"Home," he muttered more to himself than her.
Kathrine lifted her head slowly, squinting around. "This doesn't look like my house."
"It's not," Ethan replied, careful as he kicked off his shoes. "It's mine."
She hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm. Kidnapper house."
He sighed. "We already cleared this. Not a kidnapper."
"Oh right," she said, nodding seriously. "Boyfriend."
He paused mid-step. "You remember that part now?"
She smiled lazily. "Bits and pieces."
He carried her toward the bedroom, grateful for one thing at least. His mother, Stephane, had returned to Country X earlier that morning. If she were here, he would never hear the end of it. The silence tonight felt heavier, more intimate.
