Langour ・❥・Joost Klein・❥・

42.

After opening her presents, Annaliese insisted on playing with everything in the living room. She had been spoilt by her family and friends and jumped from toy to toy with an excited spring.

While the girl was preoccupied, and her parents and eldest uncle were in the kitchen, Joost slipped out for a smoke.

He had been dying for one throughout the whole ordeal. Sitting in the same room as Fenne had put him on edge. It was even more difficult being on opposite sofa and not having the confidence to say anything. Joost was itching for some relief from the suffocating situation.

Fenne had watched him leave. There hadn't been the opportunity to sit on the same sofa and talk to Joost directly. She didn't want to take the attention away from Annaliese, who was enjoying having everyone together on her birthday. But with Joost's silent departure, Fenne made use of the distractions and followed him.

The snow had melted from Nanda's back garden, leaving clumps of dirty ice in the bottom of bushes. The sky was a grey ceiling that promised more cold weather. As Fenne stepped out and closed the door behind her, Joost didn't turn from his place on the paved deck.

'Can I have one?'

Joost's eyebrows shot up as she stepped to beside him. Fenne eyed the pack in his hands and Joost hesitated.

Absently, Joost held the pack out and watched her take it. Fenne flipped open the top and felt his stare seer into her side.

'Since when did you start smoking?'

'I didn't. I just need an excuse to come out here.'

'Give me those.'

Joost snatched the pack from her and Fenne held back her laugh. She sneaked a look through her lashes and saw the man shake his head with his own foolish grin. He lit his cigarette that sat between his lips and Fenne couldn't help but watch. He shielded the flame with a cupped hand, bending his neck to bring the cigarette closer. Her eyes trailed to the new tattoo on his neck, seeing it was Lola Bunny from Looney Tunes.

'When did you get that one?' Fenne reached out without thinking, her fingers skimming his skin before she could stop herself. He flinched, even leaned away, but stopped when he looked to the woman whose hand was still outstretched. He lowered his lighter to puff out the smoke and retook his place. Stretching out his neck, Joost looked through of the corner of his eye to make sure Fenne was looking.

'About two weeks ago. It's cool, right?' Joost said. He was disappointed to not feel Fenne's fingers against his skin again.

'It is.'

'What have you been up to?' Joost asked plainly. Fenne wanted to laugh. It felt like they were back at The Indi in Amsterdam, asking each other ice-breaker questions in pre-relationship small talk.

'Not much. I've done some odd jobs with filming.'

'Any big offers?'

'Yeah, but I turned them down.'

Joost breathed out some smoke with pinched eyebrows and turned to look at the woman beside him.

'Why?'

'Wasn't ready,' she shrugged. 'I'm still working on my confidence with new people.'

Joost couldn't argue with that. Instead, he decided to satisfy the months of torment by saying,

'Your job is still open. I haven't hired anyone to work the camera.'

'Who's been filming your shows?'

'Stunts. He's shit. I can't kiss him on stage.'

Fenne laughed and it was music to Joost's ears. He watched her take a step back in her laughter and used the opportunity to step closer.