Helen stood by the kitchen island with her gym bag over her shoulder and looked at Werner. He was sitting at the kitchen table, absorbed in the newspaper, a frown line between his eyebrows. His soft, red, curly hair gleamed under the kitchen lights. Unlike other men, Werner had grown better looking over the years. More attractive, mature, and just as fit as when they first met almost twenty years ago.

She toyed briefly with the idea of not going to the gym. Thom and Emma were at tennis, so she and Werner would have the house to themselves for the next few hours. That didn’t happen very often. But she hated letting Arianne down. Besides, there was a good chance Werner would be called back to work soon, this being Friday. She had long since given up getting annoyed about it.

Helen picked up her phone from the kitchen island and looked at the screen. No reply to her messages.

“Werner? Emma said Sara’s planning to get a tattoo tomorrow.”

“Out of the question.”

“My thoughts exactly. But she’s staying with Jackie, and I haven’t been able to get ahold of either of them.”

He looked up from the paper. “I absolutely won’t have it.” It sounded like an accusation, and his look gave the same impression.

“What can I do about it?”

He pointed to her arm. “If it weren’t for that impulsive decision of yours, then she wouldn’t have come up with the idea in the first place. I’ve never heard her mention tattoos before.”

Resistance welled up in her. “Werner, I’m an adult. It’s different.”

“Bullshit. You should be setting an example.”

She tried to remain calm. Looked down at her glass. “What about you, then? With all your beer? Are you setting an example?”

Werner shook his head and folded up his newspaper. “I don’t want an argument, Helen. Go to the gym. I’ll give her a call.”

“But if—”

“We can always head over to Jackie’s later if need be.”

We . . .

Later?

He stood up from the table and walked over to her. With his long fingers, he tucked a strand of unruly blonde hair behind her ear. Planted a kiss on her forehead. “Make sure you’re back on time.”

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise.” He raised an eyebrow. “However, I can tell you that it might have something to do with your favorite actor, his latest project, and a reservation for two.”

She grinned. “That doesn’t tell me very much.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise, then, would it?” He looked down at her with amusement.

“And the kids?”