With my face between his hands, he gives me another quick, powerful kiss. Then he puts some distance between our bodies.
“Let’s travel to Brazil in the summer,” he says excitedly, playing with my hair.
I smile. My family will be delighted to hear we’re coming. “Only if Rio is in the itinerary,” I reply.
“Absolutely. It’s about time I do a north to south trip in your country,” he says, referencing what we talked about on our first date here.
“And we’ll be backpacking surfer dudes. No luxury.”
He laughs. “I couldn’t agree more.” His fingers trace over the edges of my face. “But we won’t be the unattractive kind, of course.”
“No, of course not. You’ll be the hottest Viking dude around even with flower swimming shorts and lobster-red skin.”
His hoarse laugh gives me delicious chills. I kiss his sexy lips, but he stops me to speak again.
“Christmas at my parents’ place? They can’t wait to meet you.”
I smile. “Do they know I exist?”
Erik raises an eyebrow in his classic Are you seriously asking me that? expression. He then kisses the corner of my lips. “What do you think I talked to them about all those days I spent in Jutland?”
My grin broadens, and he keeps kissing me. I slide my fingers through his hair, enjoying its softness. I imagine Erik opening up with his parents about his feelings for me. It makes me want him even more. I glue his body to mine, not caring that we are in a public place, probably being watched by the people sitting at the bar.
“They will love you,” Erik says in my ear, the tip of his nose tickling my skin and giving me goose bumps. “And we’ll take care of you. You’ll belong here.”
I pass my arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “I already do.”
He touches his forehead to mine, and we smile at each other, silent for a couple of precious seconds, in which we tell each other everything we want to say without uttering a single word.
Lastly, he stretches out his right hand as if expecting me to give him a handshake. “Partners? For real this time?”
I look at his hand, smiling. “Don’t you think mixing love and work is a bit wild?”
He stares seriously at me. “I won’t let you down again. Ever. We’ll be Team Sol & Storm to the end.”
My smile returns, radiating out of my gleeful, sunny soul. “I think we’re a great team.”
“So...deal?” He moves the hand up a few inches, impatient.
I shake it. “Deal.”
Look for Paula Ottoni’s next romantic comedy, coming Summer 2025!
Keep reading for an excerpt from You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky.
Acknowledgments
My writing journey started in Brazil when I was a teenage girl with a big dream. I faced countless obstacles chasing that dream. I couldn’t stop writing, so manuscripts kept piling up on my desk next to the homework I never neglected, and I was brave enough to put myself out there despite my insecurities because I knew where I wanted to get.
And—AAHH—I got here now, thanks to so many people! I’d need several pages to list everyone who was part of my decade-long journey, so I’ll limit myself to giving a shout out to those who mostly contributed to this moment in my career—my first traditionally published book in English!
I need to start with my husband, Emil. Our love story could be a novel—and it’s not this one! But the story of a Brazilian game designer who falls for a (hot, smart, and strong-willed) Dane wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t found you. I have no words to thank you for your unlimited support of my career. For not only hearing me talk endlessly about my books, but for being hands-on too, reading, critiquing, and revising everything I write because you believe so much in me.
A thank-you the size of Brazil to my brilliant editor, Stacy Boyd, who liked my pitch on DVPit, made me an offer of publication the day I turned thirty (BEST GIFT EVER), and made sure this story reached its best shape. A huge thanks to my amazing agent, Ginger Clark, for believing in my work and always being there with great advice when I need it. My warm, effusive gratitude to everyone at Harlequin and Afterglow Books who worked on this book: Will Tyler, Katherine Rushby, Shana Mongroo, Sara Marinac, and the illustrator Camila Gray and art director Amy Wetton for the cover, which is so beautiful and matches the story so well!
I owe so much to the writing community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I’m incredibly grateful to all the people I met online who offered valuable feedback on my pages and query. If we’ve ever talked about writing or critiqued each other’s work, feel embraced and know I’m rooting for you—we’re all in this together! A special thanks to the writer friends I’ve made: Heather Ryder, CJ Connolly, Sandra Negrete, and Anna Raven. Your opinions on my early drafts were greatly appreciated, and I hope we can meet in person someday!
I couldn’t forget to mention the Brazilian readers and bookish people I’ve met over the years, in person and online, who read and reviewed my books in Portuguese and keep looking forward to what I’ll write next. I hope you liked the piece of Brazil I’ve sent out into the world. To all those who moved to another country—I hope you’ve connected with Sol’s journey and that you also find belonging if you haven’t yet.
I wouldn’t have felt so at home in Denmark if it wasn’t for the Danish family I now have. Tusind tak to all the Geers, Juels and Rasmussens who took me in as a daughter and sister and make me feel so much hygge. Here, I became a mother, and I’m a happier person because of my wonderful kids. Claire and Noah, this is for you—but please wait until you’re way over eighteen to read this book (actually, maybe don’t read it, I promise I won’t be offended).
I don’t know if it’s weird to thank a city, but Copenhagen was my muse and is where I found home, so to all the landmarks, businesses, traditions—and yes, the weather even (but NOT licorice)—thanks for inspiring me to write and live the life I’ve always wanted, full of delicious pastries, bike rides, and cozy cafés where I can be like a writer from the movies.
A summer-hot hug to my “Larissas”: Amanda and Laís, the childhood/teenhood friends I can always count on—and text with—regardless of physical distance. You deserve a year-worth of hot chocolate for hearing all my book babbling!
Lastly, to my Brazilian family. You guys followed every step I took toward my dream, and I keep you all close to my heart. Muito obrigada to my sister, Natasha. I look forward to the next European country we’ll visit and the next “silly game” we’ll invent. Dad/Pai, I wish you were here to see what I’ve accomplished, but I know you know and are very proud.
Mom/Mãe, thank you for dreaming with me—back then, now, and every day to come. I’m crying as I write this because only you know the challenges we’ve faced to get where we are. You’ve supported me emotionally and financially when you could and when you couldn’t, when we lived together and when we were apart. You’ve said yes to my every wild idea and traveled with me to book events no matter if we had to sleep in hostels and eat instant noodles for dinner. It’s a shame you can’t read this novel (yet!) because you don’t speak English, but I’ll write this in Portuguese for you: Obrigada por tudo e por sempre acreditar!
As for you, reader, thank you for giving this book a chance. Please, never stop dreaming and fighting for your happiness. Deal?
Cheers (or maybe I should say, ‘Skål!’ *Lifts a mug of hot tea because it’s freezing outside*),
Paula
Visit my website: paulaottoni.com
Follow me on Instagram: @apaulaottoni
