“That’s why you’re obsessing over what to wear! You want to impress your hot boss!”

“She’s not my boss, and she’s not—” Anja snapped her mouth shut as an image of Susanne’s high cheekbones, glossy chestnut hair, and tall, slim body popped into her mind. Okay, Susanne was pretty hot…objectively speaking, of course. “I’m not trying to impress her.” She eyed the piles of clothes to her right. Was she?

Miri chuckled. “Right. So what will she be wearing?”

“I have no idea. Probably something—”

“Hot,” Miri said.

“Yes. I mean, no.” She roughly shook her head, even though Miri couldn’t see it. “I meant to say something that costs more than my entire wardrobe put together.” She stood and rummaged through her closet again. “Do you think the gray pin-striped slacks would work?”

“You still have them?”

Anja frowned. “Why not? It’s not like they’re going out of style, are they?”

“No, but they are kind of boring.” Miri was silent for a few seconds. “I’ve got it! Wear a skirt. Show off those sexy legs of yours. I bet Susanne would like that.”

Anja let out a growl. “I told you I’m not trying to impress her.” She pulled out the gray pants and started to shove the other stuff back into the closet. “That’s it. I’m wearing the slacks.”

“Fine. Be boring.”

The closet doors clicked shut. “Thanks for that brilliant piece of advice.”

Silence filtered through the line.

“Anja? You’re not really upset with me, are you? I didn’t mean to—”

“No.” Anja sighed. “I’m not upset, just… I don’t know. Nervous, I guess.”

“I know Paper Love means the world to you. I can’t even imagine you in any other job.”

Anja flopped down onto the couch. “Me neither.”

“You’ll find a way to keep the store open,” Miri said firmly. “I just know it.”

“Thanks. I hope so.” She extended her legs and pushed the TV stand back with her toes, as if that would help with that closing-in feeling. “I’ll let you go now. Sorry for calling you so late.”

“Any time. You know that. Sleep well and good luck tomorrow. Oh, and Anja?”

“Hmm?”

“You know those boots that you bought last fall? They would go really well with a skirt.” Miri ended the call before Anja could answer.

“I’m not wearing a skirt,” Anja said into the quiet room. “Absolutely not.”

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

When Susanne arrived at the main station at half past six on Saturday morning, she had only one thought: coffee. Preferably the biggest they had, the stronger, the better. Luckily for her, there was a small coffee stand shaped like a giant paper cup directly on platform one, where her train would be leaving from.

Other tired travelers crowded around it, and Susanne quickly got in line.

Someone tugged on her coat from behind.