Everything gleamed and sparkled: the crystal chandeliers, the torch-shaped lamps on the very white walls, the large mirrors, the cutlery on the white tablecloths, and the polished hardwood floor. Ornaments that looked like lilies in a medieval coat of arms decorated the high ceiling.

Anja felt like a queen too—not so much because of their location, although it did remind her a little of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, but more because of the way Susanne looked at her.

Susanne had spent most of the night making her feel as if she was the most desirable woman on earth, and she had tried to do the same for Susanne. They hadn’t let go of each other’s hand on the short walk up to the Greiffenegg Schlössle, which was located partway up the Schlossberg. The food from the buffet smelled heavenly, and Anja was starving, but what she really wanted was to drag Susanne back to bed.

The glimmer of heat in Susanne’s eyes told her she thought the same.

“Come on,” Susanne whispered into her ear. “Let’s pretend to be social for a while. My sister will need to hit the road in an hour or two anyway, and then…”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but Anja’s imagination did it for her. Shivers raced through her body. Her skin hungered for Susanne’s touch. God, what was going on with her? She’d never been this way before. It was probably because she was very aware that Susanne would be leaving next month, so she wanted to experience as much as she could with her in whatever time they had.

She forced herself to let go of Susanne’s hand so she could get some food from the buffet.

They stayed close together, piling food onto each other’s plates and laughing about the way Miri headed straight for the chocolate mousse.

When they sat at their table, which offered a great view over the Old Town, Miri and Franzi were already there.

“Oh wow.” Miri eyed their plates and giggled. “Looks like the two of you worked up quite an appetite.”

Heat rushed to Anja’s face. She lowered her gaze to her plate, which was piled high with cheese, fruit, jams, a roll, and a croissant, and to the bowl of muesli next to it.

“Anything you want to tell your favorite sister?” Franziska grinned and nudged Susanne, who pretended to be busy arranging two rolls, a huge plate of scrambled eggs, and a piece of apple pie on the table.

Slowly, Susanne looked up. “Actually, yes. I do have an announcement to make.”