Obsession.

I heard my tummy growl, and in that moment, I realized I wanted something else—something entirely different.

---

As I sat there, my gaze fixed on the TV, an idea struck me. I had just the right plan to get Lucas to leave and have Mattias all to myself.

When Lucas brought my fruit juice on a tray along with some cookies, he placed it on the table. “Here’s your appetizer,” he teased, but I couldn’t find it funny—not after yesterday.

Just as he was about to head back into the kitchen, I called out, “Mattias!” My voice brightened with excitement, making Lucas pause in his tracks as he turned to me. “What if we have a picnic instead? We could take the ice cream and cake outside!”

There was a moment of silence, then I heard Mattias chuckle. “That sounds like a great idea! I would love that,” he responded enthusiastically.

Lucas’s expression shifted, a hint of reluctance showing. “I’d love to join you guys. It sounds fun!”

A knot tightened in my stomach. “Actually, I was thinking it could just be the two of us,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “You know, a little couple time.”

Lucas’s smile faltered, confusion and disappointment flickering across his face. “Come on, Shimma. I wouldn’t want to miss it. It’ll be fun with all three of us!”

Mattias appeared, his gaze drifting between us. I glanced at him; he looked uncertain. “Maybe it would be nice to have some time alone?” he suggested gently to Lucas.

But Lucas shook his head. “No way! Don’t leave me out of this! I want to be part of it. You guys still have more time together, don’t you?” he asked.

My heart raced. I didn’t want to cause tension, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucas’s presence would ruin the moment I desperately wanted with Mattias.

“Lucas, it’s not that I don’t want you around. I just… I just thought it would be nice for Mattias and me to have some time together,” I explained.

“Yeah, but I’m here now. We can all enjoy it together!” he insisted, his voice rising slightly.

Mattias stepped in, trying to mediate. “How about we start with a picnic, and if it gets too crowded, I’ll take Shimma for a walk later?”

I nodded, hoping Lucas would back down. “That sounds fair, right?” Mattias added.

Lucas crossed his arms, a frown forming. “Fine, but I’m not leaving until we eat together.”

I exchanged a glance with Mattias, who gave me a reassuring smile, but I felt a surge of annoyance rising in me. Today was supposed to be about us, and I needed to figure out how to make that happen without making it obvious that I wanted Lucas to leave completely.

LUCAS’S POV

I brought the tray over, trying to keep things light. “Here’s your appetizer,” I teased, but as I glanced at Shimma’s face, I could tell she wasn’t in the mood for jokes. She must be mad about yesterday.

Just as I turned to head back to the kitchen, I heard her call out, “Mattias!” I paused, my heart racing. “What if we have a picnic instead? We could take the ice cream and cake outside!”

Mattias eventually agreed, and a surge of excitement flooded through me. I could tag along—Saturday was mine, and I craved every moment with her. “I’d love to join you guys. It sounds fun!” I said, forcing enthusiasm, desperate to keep her in my orbit.

But then I saw her expression shift, and my stomach twisted into knots. “Actually, I was thinking it could just be the two of us,” she said, her voice casual, but I knew she was just trying to push me away.

I frowned at her words, my confusion morphing into something darker. “Come on, Shimma. I wouldn’t want to miss it. It’ll be fun with all three of us!” I insisted, feeling that familiar, frantic need to be included.

Mattias looked between us, uncertainty etched on his face. “Maybe it would be nice to have some time alone?” he suggested gently. No!

“No way! Don’t leave me out of this! I want to be part of it. You guys still have more time together, don’t you?” I shot back, frustration bubbling over. The thought of being excluded made my blood boil.

I hated feeling like a third wheel, but I wasn’t ready to back down. “Lucas, it’s not that I don’t want you around. I just thought it would be nice for Mattias and me to have some time together,” she explained, her eyes darting away, and I could see the tension in her posture.

“Yeah, but I’m here now. We can all enjoy it together!” I raised my voice slightly, urgency lacing my words. I didn’t want to miss out on this moment with her, whatever it was.

Mattias stepped in, trying to calm the situation, but his words felt like empty air to me.

A wave of annoyance washed over me, but I fought to keep it cool. “Fine, but I’m not leaving until we eat together,” I said, crossing my arms, unwilling to let her slip away.

As they exchanged glances, I caught their silent communication, a knife twisting in my gut—what were they planning? Why did it feel like I was just a burden to them—to Shimma?

I wasn’t a burden. I just wanted to be close to Shimma—to feel her warmth beside me.

---

**SHIMMA’S POV**

We arrived at the park, which Mattias decided to rent privately for me.

I spread out the picnic mat while Mattias and Lucas arranged the fruits, juice, cookies, ice cream, and chocolate cake, along with candies and sweets.

I sat close to Mattias, wrapping my hand around him while he did the same.

“I love you so much, baby, and I can’t wait to be your wife,” I said, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. He smiled, pulling me closer and hugging me tighter.

“I love you more, Shimma. I love you so much,” he breathed out, rubbing my hair while I relaxed into his hug. I sighed, feeling so safe in his arms. So loved.

All I could do was forget Lucas was there and have Mattias all to myself. Right?

Lucas, on the other hand, focused on his phone, avoiding meeting Mattias and me with his gaze. And that was fine by me… that was perfect.