Instead of a customer, Miri entered the store. She let the door close behind her, put her hands on her hips, and regarded them with a broad grin. “Now, that gives a whole new meaning to the name Paper Love!”

So much for being discreet. Anja hoped she wasn’t blushing as she hugged her friend. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to pick up a new showerhead for the women’s shelter. I’m a social worker,” Miri added, turning toward Susanne. “From the looks of it, you two could do with a shower too—a cold one anyway.”

Anja ignored her teasing. “So your search for a showerhead brings you to Paper Love…how?”

“The department store isn’t far from here, and after the way you left the lake yesterday, I thought I would drop by and check on you. See if I needed to dry any tears. But I can see that you actually need a dental dam more urgently than tissues.”

“Miriam Blattmann!” Now Anja couldn’t fight the flush that swept up her neck. Her cheeks burned fiercely. “Don’t mind her, Susanne. She grew up among wolves.”

Susanne looked more amused than scandalized. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m used to comments like that from Franzi, and she doesn’t even have the wolf-pack excuse.”

Miri’s teasing grin turned into an imploring gaze. “I take it you two are fine?” She searched Anja’s face. “You are fine?”

“I’m fine. More than fine, actually.” Anja gripped Susanne’s hand.

Susanne grinned. “She’s very, very fine.”

New heat shot into Anja’s cheeks. “What’s this? A competition to see who can embarrass me the most?”

Miri shook her head and winked at Susanne. “Why compete if we can both do it, right?”

“Right.” Susanne rubbed her thumb along the back of Anja’s hand.

Miri glanced at her wristwatch. “I have to go. How about that double date on Saturday?”

“Double date?” Susanne stiffened and eyed Miri cautiously. “The three of us and…?”

“Your sister, of course!” Miri rolled her eyes. “I might be pretty irresistible, but contrary to popular belief, I don’t have women lined up at my door. One woman at a time is enough for me, thank you very much.”

“Sorry,” Susanne mumbled. “I didn’t mean to imply… I guess I get a little protective when it’s about my sister, and I didn’t know Franzi was coming back to Freiburg so soon.”

“Like I said, I’m pretty irresistible.” Miri swiped at her very short hair, pretending to flick it back over her shoulder.

“You’re pretty impossible.” Anja threw one of the paper hearts from the center island at her.

Miri caught it. “See? Even your girlfriend is throwing her heart at me.”

Girlfriend? Anja’s cheeks warmed again. She sneaked a glance at Susanne to see how she would react.