“Yes. No. Yes.” Anja’s chest rose and fell under a deep breath. Finally, she looked at Susanne. “I am okay. I’m always okay. But I’m never great. Because I always play it safe.”

Susanne watched her. Where was she going with this? But she didn’t ask because she sensed that if she interrupted her now, Anja might never again work up the courage to say what she obviously needed to say.

“I’ve never been one to take chances, especially not with my heart.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” Susanne said softly. “Probably saves you from a lot of hurt.”

Anja tilted her head in a vague nod. “Sure, but by trying to protect myself, I sometimes lose out on good things too. If I had given in to my fear and avoided climbing that observation tower, like I always have before, I never would have gotten to share that breathtaking view with you.”

And that equally breathtaking almost kiss. Susanne reined in her impatience and waited for Anja to go on.

“I know there are plenty of reasons why we should keep things between us on a strictly friendly basis, but…” Anja’s gaze darted to her face, then away. “Do you think…? Could we just…try?”

Everything in Susanne screamed at her to say yes, but she forced herself to hold back. “God, Anja, believe me, if things were different, I’d date you in a heartbeat, but I can’t make you any promises.”

Anja shook her head and now fully looked at her. “I’m not asking for promises. Can’t we just take it one day at a time and enjoy each other’s company without worrying about the future for now?”

It was exactly what Susanne had done in many, maybe even most of her past relationships. But did she want to do that with Anja? Could she do that to her?

Muesli chose that moment to jump up on the couch between them.

“Hi, boy.” Anja immediately buried her fingers in his fur, and Susanne’s heart clenched when she saw that they were trembling. “Hey, you’ve still got that lipstick on your head.”

“Yeah.” Susanne laughed shakily. “He can’t seem to get rid of it.” Just as she couldn’t get rid of the memory of their kiss. She slid closer to her on the couch.

Muesli took it as an invitation to climb on her lap.

Susanne absentmindedly ran her hand over his fur once but then ignored him to focus solely on Anja. “Are you sure you want to do this? Can you really enjoy our time together, knowing it might not last?”

“I think so. Using those six weeks to find out if it could work is better than wondering forever if…”

“If?” Susanne prompted when Anja fell silent.