Anja tensed, even though she didn’t quite know why. Miri was her best friend, and she talked freely about her own love life. It wasn’t as if she was ashamed of having slept with Susanne, but it didn’t feel right to talk or joke about it—as if it would diminish their magical night.

“So let’s hear it,” Franziska said when Susanne paused.

“I…” Susanne flicked her gaze to Anja and gave her a reassuring smile. “…need coffee.”

Franziska stared at her sister. “That’s it? That’s your announcement?”

“Yes.” Susanne nodded gravely. “Oh, and…”

“Yes?” Franziska prompted.

“Anja needs some too.”

“Forget it, Franzi.” Miri put her hand on Franziska’s. “If your sister is anything like Anja, we won’t get any juicy details out of either one of them. Not that we need to. Their faces say it all.”

“It’s not like I want any juicy details.” Franziska shook herself at the thought. “She’s my sister after all. I just want to know if she…if you…” She glanced at Susanne. “…are happy.”

Without looking away from her sister, Susanne found Anja’s hand beneath the table and entwined their fingers. The almost businesslike poker face she had put on wavered, and an ecstatic smile shone through for a moment. “I’m having a great brunch on a gorgeous Sunday morning with my womb mate and her…” She hesitated and flicked her gaze at Miri.

“Girlfriend,” Miri quietly provided.

“Wow,” Anja mouthed at her and beamed. So Miri and Franzi were really trying for something serious, not just a bit of fun on the weekend.

Susanne nodded with a smile. “With my sister and her girlfriend…and with the most beautiful stationery geek I know. How could I not be happy?”

Anja’s cheeks heated again, but this time it was more from pleasure than embarrassment. They weren’t quite at the level of commitment that Miri and Franziska had reached, but for now, feeling Susanne’s honest admiration was enough. She tightened her grip on Susanne’s hand.

Their gazes met and held, and the hall of mirrors around them retreated.

“Anything you want to add, Anja?” Miri asked.

“Yes.” Anja didn’t look away from Susanne, speaking mostly to her. “I’m also pretty happy…and I need coffee too.”

They all burst out laughing.

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Anja had never been one to hate Mondays, but when Susanne’s alarm clock went off on Monday morning, she groaned and buried her face against Susanne’s shoulder.

Susanne reached out from beneath the duvet to shut off the alarm but made no move to get out of bed either. She slipped her arm back beneath the covers and rubbed both hands along Anja’s back in ways that made her even more reluctant to get up. “Still tired?”

“Yes. Guess making love for half of the night, two nights in a row, will do that to you.”