The genuine compliment and the unshakable conviction in Miri’s voice sent a faint smile to Anja’s face. “Thanks.”

“So Indian food and Netflix now?” Miri rustled the bag of food she’d put down on the end of the couch. “Maybe the sex scenes in Orange Is the New Black will give you some pointers for your sadly nonexistent sex life.”

Anja took the bag from her. “For that remark, you’re not getting any samosas.”

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Hey, you bought more furniture, Sis.” Franzi stepped into the dining room, hand in hand with Miriam. “I thought you didn’t want to do that because you’d only have to sell it again. Does that mean—?”

“It means I didn’t want my guests to have to eat from the floor or crouched over the coffee table,” Susanne said before her sister could finish the sentence. She didn’t want to get Anja’s hopes up, making her think she’d be staying.

“And this guest for one is certainly grateful.” With a groan, Miriam eased herself down on one of the two folding chairs Susanne had borrowed from Anja. “God, I’m so sore.”

Susanne covered her ears with her hands. “No details, please,” she and Anja said in unison.

Miriam snorted. “I wish. Get your minds out of the gutter, you two. I’m sore from spending all afternoon on the ropes course.”

While she and Franzi rested their sore limbs, Susanne and Anja worked together to get the food on the table. They sidestepped each other in the small kitchen area as if it were a choreography they had rehearsed all day, never getting in each other’s way. It had been the same when they had prepared the meal together, Susanne taking care of the potato salad while Anja made zucchini balls.

Susanne stole a quick kiss as she handed Anja the glasses and then another one after dinner, when they put the dishes in the dishwasher.

When they walked into the living room after cleaning up the kitchen, Miriam was leaning sideways on the couch so she could whisper into Franzi’s ear. Whatever she said made both of them blush, and they exchanged a kiss before Miriam let herself sink against the back of the couch.

Susanne placed tortilla chips and guacamole on the coffee table. “You’re moving a lot better now. Looks like you found a miracle cure for your sore muscles.”

“What can I say? Your sister is one talented doctor.” Miriam winked. She took a chip, dipped it into the guacamole, and then fed it to Franzi.

Susanne huffed. “She’s a dentist.”

“Must be why she can do amazing things with her mouth and her teeth.”

“TMI, TMI.” Susanne lowered herself into the two-person inflatable lounger next to Anja. Buying it didn’t count as furniture shopping, so she wasn’t sending out mixed signals, right?