Nicholas - Wherever You Are, There My Heart Is

← Previous Chapter: Chapter 11 /|\ Next Chapter → Chapter 13“So, let me get this straight. You booked a whole chalet for just you, me, and Alfie?” Briony drinks in the large wood and stone house from her perch on Doris. Against the back drop of the Alps, with its green rolling hills and crystal clear lake, it’s quite beautiful. With a nod in response, I sweep off my helmet, and turning toward Briony, I undo her chinstrap, removing hers as well. I can’t help smiling at the scowl lighting her face. Someone’s hungry, but I know better than to mention that now. “We’re not five minutes down the road from where the rest of the cast and crew are staying, Bri. It’s no different to other arrangements we’ve had over the years.” Briony is looking at me skeptically, with good reason. A large chalet for the three of us is quite unusual. I’m not a flashy man. Practical, useful, functional. That’s what I primarily care about. I don’t mind staying with the crew. I don’t mind having the smallest room in a lodge. What I do mind, is anything that disturbs my peace and safety, and those who work with me. Which means, if I’m going to be on set all day with the woman who was haranguing my Life the last time I saw her, that’s where my being accommodating comes to an end. I refuse to subject Briony to harassment, and I further refuse, on principle, to sleep under the same roof as that woman. The production staff understood of course, and they were more than happy for the surplus room in their budget. As an added bonus, they won’t continue to be harassed by Amelia about my ‘co-workers’ using rooms that could go to someone else. Win-Win-Win. Yet, Briony hasn’t gotten off the motorbike. I tug on a curl hanging from under the kerchief tied over her hair. “What’s the matter, my Life?” Briony frowns, her brown eyes searching mine. “Why do you keep asking me about your life? I don’t see anything at all wrong with your life at the moment.” I smile down at her. “Then, why is she still sitting on the motorbike? We still have half a day here, and I wonder if you’ll venture out to dinner with me at the little restaurant we saw halfway down the mountain.” Bemusement lines her face, but she nods. “Ok, but first let me shower and change into real clothes. And..let’s ride in something with a roof.” “Agreed,” I grin. Removing our sacks from the top box, we stow our helmets and gear as we walk up the few short stairs of the wood and stone chalet. “It’s still kind of big, for just the three of us, isn’t it?” Briony asks hesitantly. Inputting the code in the key pad, I nod in response. “There are five bedrooms, but it’s good to have other rooms to work out in, or convert to an office. The code is in our shared app.” “Ok, thanks,” Briony acknowledges as the heavy wood door swings open. One of the things I love about her is that she’s always full of a sense of wonder. Nothing ever becomes old hat, or unimpressive. I think it’s part of her secret for savoring life. Closing the door behind us, I lean against it as I absorb Briony’s reaction. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the huge smile on her face when she encounters something new. How her eyes bounce around as though she doesn’t know what to look at first. Yet, I wonder when I began deliberately doing things just to see that look of amazement bloom across her face? All we’ve done is step into the muted cream and grey great room, with its floor to ceiling windows providing views of green hills and white capped mountains reflected in the lake below. Yet, Briony is aglow. “This is gorgeous, Nick! Oh! Maybe we can go stargazing,” she bounces around the great room as she looks back me hopefully. I smile tiredly. “I should hope so. Alfie is even stocking a couple months supply of your favorite hot cocoa.” Briony’s smile grows wider as her dimples appear. “We can drink it in front of the massive fireplace. Just look at this sofa! It’s huge!” “Excellent idea, love.” Despite it being summer, the evenings will be cooler at this elevation. I’m nearly tempted to forgo dinner in favor of curling up on the sofa. I take in the wide planked, wood floors, the stone mantel of the fireplace, and the broad beams bracketed between the skylights in the lofted ceiling. “It’s brilliant,” I nod, satisfied. However, Briony is already gliding over to the kitchen, with its double ovens, eight burner stove and double stainless steel refrigerators. A breakfast nook on the other side of the kitchen provides another stunning view of a different mountain range, and she runs a hand over the fine woodwork of the table as she contentedly takes it in. “There’s so much space, we could cater from here. I love it!” Smiling as I push off the door, I walk towards the kitchen. “I’m glad it meets your approval, Princess.” She grins at me as she begins examining what’s inside every single charcoal painted cupboard. “Alfie should be on his way with the shopping soon,” I remind her as I pull out a couple bottles of water from the fridge. Uncapping one, I hand it to her, charmed by the shy smile she flashes me as she accepts it. I raise my brows, but the smile is gone just as quickly. Briony nods. “Oh, good. I see we’re light on the staples.” I walk over to a black marble countertop and knock on it. “Is this going to be ok for your breads?” Her eyes widen as she excitedly slaps a hand to her forehead. “That’s right! I forgot you can start adding more carbs to your diet again. I got an email from Bert, and he said you’re going to need to start bulking now. He’s changing up your exercises to accommodate the weight so that you’re building muscle in as a healthy way as possible. What day do you film the reunion scene this week?” I snort as I lean on the back of a bar stool. Leave it to my fitness trainer to take the joy out of gaining weight. “Tomorrow,” I respond. Briony nods, “Ok, good. So, I’ll do some stews as a lead in. Good news, that means a bit more potatoes! I mean sweet potatoes, but a win is a win.” I chuckle. It’s hard to believe that a few months ago, her teasing me about potatoes would be enough to stir up feelings. Now, look at me. One look and the woman herself has my stomach in knots. “Do you want to see the rest of the place, love?” I ask with a smile. “Oh, yeah. Let’s see what they did with the place!” Interestingly the master suite and a smaller bedroom are on the first level, with the remaining bedrooms on the upper level. Stepping into the master suite, there’s a fantastic view of the mountains with a deep balcony outside the windows, but the stone feature wall behind the king bed captures Briony’s attention. When she runs her hand on the white fur blanket on top of the pluffy down-blanket, I walk over to do the same. I raise my brows, “It’s so soft…” Her amazement is palpable as she looks up at me. “I know! I just want to rub my face in it.” My brows twitch as I swallow. I clear my throat, “If you want, you can have this room. I can take another.” Her brows slam down as she backs away. “What? No. This is the Master. This is your room.” I sigh as I walk toward the toilet. “The Master will always belong to my Life. If you want it, it’s yours.” Turning to the bank of switches, I turn on the lights to get a look at the bathroom. The large flagstone flooring, and stone countertops compliment the wood and stone throughout the cabin, but the look is softened by gold fixtures and a white polar rug. A small water closet houses the toilet, and a large standup shower with a stone feature wall faces views of the Alps. Does every room have a view? Yet, Briony doesn’t see any of it. “Why are there two bathtubs?” She stares at the two large tubs that run along a wall of windows facing a stand of trees. Hm. “Maybe it’s his and her bathtubs?” I deadpan. Her head whips all the way around. “What?” “You’re right darling, that’s silly. Who would pass up an opportunity to share a tub?” I smirk when she starts coughing. “Just kidding. No, I imagine one tub is for soaking, and the other is a jacuzzi. See the jets?” I point to the holes in one of the tubs. Briony has barely managed to regain her composure as she nods. “Ohhh, that makes sense. Wow. This bathroom is so well done. But, this shower stall is completely see through. Are you going to be ok with all of these open windows?” I quirk a brow, and when her cheeks redden I smile. “I think having the curtains will help. So, no peeking.” “What!” She cries, already backing toward the door. “I would never!” “Oh, that’s right! You and your American prudery,” I chuckle. Her face blanks as she puts her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?” She asks in mock outrage. I laugh, holding up a hand in defense. “Your words, not mine, my love.” I gaze at her, willing her to remember that night, but she looks at me incredulously. Then, she abruptly turns around, shaking her head. “Oook, whatever.” I turn off the lights as I follow her out of the toilet. “So, you’re taking this room, yes?” She looks at me like I’m having a go at her. “Are you serious?” I smile, “Yes, dearest. Truly. Allow me to locate the luggage, and I’ll bring it in for you.” “Absolutely not!” She squeaks, panic in her eyes as she runs from the room. Fascinating. I chuckle as I follow her into the room across the hall, and immediately notice it’s a lot smaller than the master, but it feels very cozy. Another King bed sits against a wall, adjacent to a large double picture window with a cushioned window seat. Briony is sitting on the bed running a hand over the grey fur blanket and fur lined pillows. I turn away before she starts rubbing her face against them. There’s only so much a man can take. I poke a head in the toilet, and despite there not being two baths and tall glass shower, there’s a water closet, a deep combination tub and shower, and sink with a stone countertop. “I’ll be fine in here,” Briony calls. “But, where’s the luggage?” “I’ll check,” I offer, stepping into the hallway to call Alfie. “Sir,” he answers. “We’ve arrived, and we’re looking for the luggage. Where did you place them?” “In the master suite, in the closet.” I nod, remembering walking past the walk in closet. “Alright, and where’s Briony’s luggage?” A pause. “In the master suite, in the closet. Sir.” I shake my head with a smile. “I see how what you did, Alfie. What’s your ETA?” “Four minutes.” “Good. We’re in the two bedrooms downstairs. We’re likely going out for dinner. Will you join us?” A brief pause, then, “No, sir. I have plans with Canva and a bottle of pinot. Do you know how hard it is to plan for three different wedding venues over the course of four different seasons?” I quirk a brow. “Alfie, we’re not—” “Ah, sorry, Sir. It’s nothing you need to worry about. Good job getting her to stay on the same floor.” “Ha! I wasn’t asking for praise—you know what…never mind. Cheers.” After retrieving her luggage, I knock on Briony’s door. When she responds, I poke my head in. “Are you decent, love?” “This time,” she responds drily from the bed, propping herself up on her elbows. I swallow, and open the door wider. “Here’s your luggage,” I mutter, sitting the large suitcase on the luggage stand and leaving the smaller carry on bag beside it. When I look up, Briony’s dark eyes are following me as a smile plays at her lips. I smile in response. “What is it?” Her dimples appear letting me know I’m about to get teased. “It’s nothing. I think I just realized that your muscles aren’t just for show.” I lick my suddenly dry lips, and gaze back at her, fighting that same unfamiliar feeling of nervous excitement that had zinged through me at the petrol station when she winked at me. Is she..really flirting with me? Clearing my throat, I smirk. “If you’re interested in learning how I got them, I’d be happy to let you join my workout regimen every morning.” Terror flashes through her eyes as she sits up abruptly. I probably should have flirted, but she’s so easy to tease. “Ha ha,” she awkwardly laughs as she hustles towards me. “I think it’s time to get the dirt of the road off me. We’re burning daylight and all of that.” Realizing that she may not have realized I was teasing, I panic, and blurt out, “I didn’t mean to say that you need to work out. You look great, now!” When she frowns at me, I realize my error and hurry to add, “Not that there was ever a time you didn’t look great. You’ve always been beautiful, and you don’t need to change a thing. It’s just nice to have company when doing things, and I always enjoy your company, so I thought we could workout together in the morning since you like my muscles or—that really didn’t—” “Nick!” Briony shouts, covering her eyes with a hand. The ensuing silence is awkward and quite loud. I’m such an idiot. Why did I think having acted in a few roles could prepare me for real life, when there are real feelings and real consequences on the line? How do people do it when it’s not scripted? I sigh. “I’m sorry, Bri. I only meant that..well you see, I—” “Nope!” She exclaims, lifting her hands from her eyes. It’s then I see the amusement shining there, and realize she isn’t upset with me. The wave of relief draws a smile out of me. “Nicky babe, if you’d like me to come and spot you, then you’ll have to work out when it’s not the crack, ok? 5:30am is already a feat of magnificent proportions on shooting days.” I chuckle as she continues, hands on her hips, her shoulders thrown back as she pretends to scowl up at me. “Seriously, if you want someone keeping you company at 4am, I’m going to need my fiefdom like, yesterday. Now,” she says, drawing close to reach around me and open the bedroom door. “Run along dear boy, and get ready for din dins, because I could eat a bear.” I smile as I take a backward step into the hallway. “But, just think how good your muscles would look if you join me,” I deadpan. With a roll of her eyes and a quirk of lips, the door slams in my face. I burst into laughter as I cross the hall to my room. Forget trouble. Trouble was several weeks ago. I’ve blown past that sign. Now, I’m fully and unapologetically in love with my Life. But, how do I tell her that?← Previous Chapter: Chapter 11 /|\ Next Chapter → Chapter 13Subscribe for new posts every week! Get full access to I'm Just Here For BOOKS at everblueauthor.substack.com/subscribe