Susanne had been on the phone or sending emails back and forth with the web design company for most of the day, and Nobby had been around as a chaperone, so they hadn’t had much time or opportunity to talk, much less exchange a quick kiss. So far, Susanne hadn’t mentioned any plans for this evening, nor had she invited Anja back to her apartment.

Come on. Don’t be so clingy. She hadn’t been home since Saturday. She knew she should go back to her own place and resume her regular life, including walks around the lake with Miri. At least that was what her brain said. The rest of her didn’t share that opinion. She wanted to enjoy every second with Susanne since she was very aware that they were on borrowed time and the clock was ticking.

As Susanne walked past her to drag in the card carousels, she smiled and touched Anja’s hand.

The fleeting touch sent a rush of warmth through her body, and she smiled back, forgetting her brooding thoughts.

When the door closed behind Susanne, she reluctantly turned back toward her own task, which was locking up the display case. She inserted her key—and then froze. Since she knew every single pen in that case so well, she immediately noticed that they had been rearranged and one of them was missing.

Anja whirled around. “Nobby! The Meisterstück Solitaire is gone!”

Nobby looked up from behind the counter. “I know. I sold it when you were out for lunch.”

“What? Wow. That’s, um, great.” It was, wasn’t it? Selling an expensive fountain pen like that would definitely bolster this month’s numbers. But a part of her couldn’t help being sad. They’d had that pen for a year, and she had admired it every time she walked past the glass case. Now she felt almost as if she’d lost a friend.

The bell jingled as Susanne stepped back into the store. Her gaze zeroed in on Anja immediately, and a look of alarm shadowed her face. She let go of the carousel, crossed the room with long steps, and clutched Anja’s shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

Anja forced a smile. “Nothing. Nobby sold the pen.” She knew she wouldn’t have to clarify.

“Hey.” Susanne wrapped both arms around her and held her close for a moment. “Don’t be sad. I’m sure it went to a very loving home.”

“Oh yeah,” Nobby threw in. “Couldn’t have gone to a more pen-crazy person.”

“I know I’m being silly.” Anja pressed her face to Susanne’s shoulder for a little longer.