“Jesus, Miri, keep your voice down!” Anja peeked past her to the staircase, which was thankfully empty. She grabbed Miri’s arm, dragged her farther into the apartment, and closed the door.

Miri unleashed the dog and then immediately went back to scrutinizing Anja. “You slept with her.”

“No. I mean, yes, but not—”

“Oh, don’t bother denying it. I can tell. You’ve got this glow about you.”

Anja glanced at the mirror in the hallway. She was blushing, but otherwise, she didn’t look any different. “Nonsense. I’m not glowing.”

“Yes, you are. You’re sporting the infamous after-sex glow.”

More warmth flooded Anja’s face. “That’s not even a thing.”

“Oh yes, it is. Trust me. I should know.” Miri smirked. She pulled her to the sofa bed and pressed her down on it before getting comfortable next to her. “So how was it? Come on, details! I need details!”

“You want all the graphic details? Are you sure you’re ready to hear them?”

That gave Miri pause. “Um, well, there are some things no one needs to know about their best friend, but otherwise…hell yes, I’m ready!”

“All right. Here are the details of my very exciting first night with Susanne.”

Miri slid closer as if not wanting to miss a thing.

Anja struggled to keep a straight face. “She prepared a very romantic dinner and basically courted me all night, and then we had a little make-out session on the couch that got pretty heated, so she asked me to go to bed with her.”

“And? Come on!” Miri waved her hand. “Get to the interesting part!”

“We got into bed, and she took me into her arms. God, her body felt so good against mine.” Anja’s eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, she could almost pretend to be back in Susanne’s arms. “She caressed my back and trailed her fingers through my hair and then…”

“And then?”

Anja opened her eyes. “We fell asleep.”

“You did not!” Miri slapped Anja’s thigh. “Come on. Tell me what happened in between the back caresses and the falling asleep.”

“Nothing, I swear.” Anja held up three fingers. “We didn’t make love; we just slept together. In a nonsexual way.”

“But…but…why? Why wouldn’t you sleep with her—really sleep with her? When I caught you kissing in the store, you both looked ready to tear each other’s clothes off.”

“I…” Anja tugged on a tiny hole at the knee of her jeans. “I wanted to, but I had my period, so I stopped her before it could go too far.”

“Ah. Got it.” Miri wrapped one arm around her and squeezed. “That sucks.” She paused as if considering what she’d just said, then grinned. “Or doesn’t suck, in this case.”

Anja groaned at the bad pun.