“I can’t talk about it. I’m sorry.”

“Erik, please tell me you don’t agree with this persecution of Jews. Firing an eminently qualified physics professor or law professor because he’s Jewish is just wrong!”

“Don’t get involved, Ans. Please!”

She pulled away to look at him, her heart racing. She already was involved. Should she tell him? She and Eloise had met with the editor of the underground newspaper this morning and had volunteered to work with him. Eloise would do her reporting and writing under a pseudonym; Ans would help her gather the news and then distribute the newspapers.

“Please,” Erik pleaded. “I know that one of the Jewish professors is a friend of the Huizengas, but —”

“He’s my friend too. And so is his daughter and her husband. I can’t stand by and let them be persecuted. What the Nazis are doing to them is monstrous. Surely you can see that.” She felt the muscles in his body tense.

“What you and I believe doesn’t matter. We can’t fight them, Ans. They’re too powerful. And they’re ruthless. They’ll arrest you and anyone else who speaks up without thinking twice about it. The Dutch Nazi Party is everywhere, watching and listening.”

“I hope you’re not thinking about joining them and becoming a party member.”

“I had no choice.”

She heard his words, spoken in the past tense, and froze. “You already joined them?”

“I had to. I didn’t want to be sent to a labor camp.” His beloved face looked strained, the muscles in his jaws tight.

“Wasn’t there any other choice?”

“Not at the moment. No.”

“Then we’re on opposing sides?”

“Ans, no! I don’t want that! I love you!” He held her tightly again, and she leaned against him, wanting to melt into him, change him, merge their hearts and their minds into one. It was the first time he’d said that he loved her, and her heart leaped with joy in spite of her inner turmoil.

“I love you too.” It was true. She loved this sweet, shy man who only wanted to keep order and protect people. They kissed, and nothing mattered in that moment except their love for each other, their future together. If it weren’t for the war, their future could begin today.

Ans thought she understood Eloise’s anger and grief after the Great War had altered her life forever. And she grieved for Miriam, who wanted the same thing that Ans did —a future with the man she loved.

Ans was still thinking of Miriam when Erik said, “Promise me you won’t get involved, Ans. I want you to be safe. I want a future with you. I can’t give you the life you deserve right now, but when things get better, when the country stabilizes, will you marry me?”