Now it was Susanne’s turn to stare up at the saints above the cathedral’s entrance just so she didn’t have to look into those brown eyes. This was exactly the kind of entanglement she’d been trying to avoid. Finally, when the silence went on for too long, she directed her gaze back at Frau Lamm. “It does.”

“Good. Then we’re in this together.” Frau Lamm held out her hand, clearly expecting Susanne to shake it.

Reluctantly, Susanne placed her hand in Frau Lamm’s. Her fingers were cool—either from the January temperatures or because she was afraid of losing her job. Engulfed in Susanne’s bigger hand, Frau Lamm’s felt almost fragile, and Susanne fought the urge to cradle it in both of hers. No coddling employees, remember? Frau Lamm’s handshake was surprisingly strong for such a slight woman, so maybe she wasn’t the type who needed coddling anyway, despite the way she looked.

“Let’s go back to the store. We can talk while we walk.” Frau Lamm stood and pulled Susanne up with her by their still-linked hands.

When she let go, Susanne curled her fingers against her now-empty palm.

“Come on.” Frau Lamm strode across the square like a soldier on a rescue mission.

Hell, when had she lost control of this situation? Susanne shook her head and hurried after her.

With her hand on the brass handle of Paper Love’s front door, Anja paused. She had entered the store thousands of times, but now that she knew its very existence was in danger, it felt different somehow. Oh, come on. This isn’t a funeral. Not yet anyway.

“Everything okay?” Susanne asked behind her.

Anja turned. “Yeah. It’s just…” How could she explain?

As if sensing what stopped her, Susanne gently reached past her, pushed the door open, and stepped forward to lead the way into the store.

“Wait!” Anja pulled her back around. “You have a bit of onion on your, um…” Very nice breasts. She pointed. “Your shirt.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

Anja tried not to watch as Susanne picked off the piece of onion and flicked it away. At least this little episode had distracted her from the hopefully premature feeling of sadness that had gripped her. Yeah, well, I suggest you look for another distraction. Remember that she wanted to get you fired.

She forced herself to step into the store and pretend she would get to do so multiple times a day for the next thirty years. “Could you keep an eye on the store for a minute? I’d like to check in with Nobby.”

For a second, Susanne’s normally cool, calm, and collected expression slipped, and she actually looked a bit panicked. “Um, sure. If you give me a minute first to get rid of the mustard stain.”

“Oh. Of course.”