Susanne glanced past the paper animals dangling from the ceiling to one of the large windows. It had gotten dark outside, but in the light of a streetlamp, she could make out sheets of rain pouring from the sky, forming puddles on the cobblestoned street.

“No big deal.” Frau Lamm zipped her coat and put on her gloves. “I can change into something dry once I’m home.”

“But you’ll be miserable on your bike. You’ll catch a cold.”

“He’s right,” Susanne heard herself say. What the hell? She hadn’t planned on getting involved in this discussion. Quickly, she added, “The last thing the store needs right now is a sick employee.”

Frau Lamm sighed, opened the buckle beneath her chin, and took off her helmet. “Okay, I’ll leave the bike here until Monday and take the streetcar.”

“But you don’t have an umbrella, do you?” When Frau Lamm shook her head, Uncle Norbert turned toward Susanne. “Could you drive her home?”

“That’s not necessary,” Frau Lamm said immediately. “I told you I’ll be fine on the bike. I’m not made of sugar, so I won’t melt just because of a little rain.”

Susanne remembered that she had looked pretty miserable in her drenched clothes this morning, and she needed her healthy and at the store to help customers and to answer any questions she might have about stationery products. “No problem. I’m heading home anyway, and I don’t mind a little detour.” She reached for her car keys and strode to the door. “Come on.”

Anja threw Nobby a you-shouldn’t-have glance, which he answered with an impish grin. She shook her head at him and hurried after Susanne.

With her longer legs, the taller woman had already reached the door, opened it, and unfolded her umbrella. She waited until Anja had reached her side before she set off down the street.

Since the umbrella wasn’t meant for two people, they had to press close beneath the cover so their arms were touching. It was slightly awkward but not as uncomfortable as Anja had expected—at least not for her. She had no idea what was going on in Susanne’s head since her professional poker face was firmly in place.

“Taking the streetcar really wouldn’t be a problem,” Anja said.

Susanne led them around a large puddle. “It’s okay. You introduced me to your favorite status symbol; now I’ll introduce you to mine.”

Anja decided to give in. Truth be told, being delivered directly to her doorstep would be nice in this weather. After a long day at work, she couldn’t wait to get off her feet. “Where are you parked?”