I’ll come by tomorrow night? Around 8 p.m.?
Nora
Sure, shall we have dinner together?
Andreas
Gladly. Shall we go out to eat?
Nora
Perfect. X
Andreas
I’m already looking forward to it. X
The next day at 7:30 p.m., I’m busy getting ready for our evening out. Sexy lingerie set, check. I opt for a blue, satin, summery wrap skirt and a white, soft T-shirt. Simple, airy, playful, yet classy. I’m still doing my hair and makeup when the doorbell rings.
“Anna! What are you doing here? No longer bedridden?” I hug her immediately. “You look good, much better than two days ago! Come in.”
I’m glad I still visited Anna on Sunday evening, but I feel a little guilty because I’ve kept her at a bit of a distance as a friend lately. Maybe a very small distance, but still, since Andreas came into my life, I suddenly have secrets from her and a lot less time.
“I was finally allowed out of bed and just had to get out of the house. Melvin is driving me crazy.”
“So you’re feeling good and all the risk is gone? Water?” I take two glasses and start filling them.
“Please. There was never really a risk, but I just had to take it easy. I’m afraid Melvin is already an overprotective dad!” She rolls her eyes.
“Better that than the opposite.” I would know.
“Yeah, that’s true.” She gives my hand a meaningful squeeze. She knows I’d do anything to have two overprotective parents. “So, tell me, where are you off to? You look amazing!” she says enthusiastically.
“Out with Andreas. I’m afraid that he could show up any minute now.”
“Oh, Andreas? So, that's still going on? I really wanted to grill you on Sunday, but with Melvin there, I didn’t dare.” Thank goodness.
“It’s complicated,” I say with a faint laugh, “sometimes it drives me completely crazy. I still don’t know what to make of it, but it’s so much fun when we’re together, and I miss him when he’s gone.”
“Is it worth me telling you to watch out for a broken heart?” Anna can already sense the storm brewing.
“I’m afraid it’s already too late. Not that he’s broken my heart, but I’ve already given it to him.”
I take a big gulp of water and stare at the bottom of my glass.
“Are you in love?” Anna asks seriously.
“I’m afraid so,” I sigh. I’m glad I can be honest with Anna, but sad because of how things are. To protect myself I should be the one to end the game Andreas and I are playing. But I already know I can’t do it. “I’m afraid that if I bring it up, it’ll be over,” I admit.
“I understand, but at some point, you have to be honest with him and with yourself. It can’t go on like this, right? If you’re not on the same page, it’s only going to cause problems.”
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh. “Tomorrow morning, he’s leaving for Berlin for three days, and after that, we’re going to Zeebrugge for the weekend. Maybe that’s a good time to talk about where this is going.”
“That sounds like a good idea. You deserve someone who’s all in for you, Nora.”
He deserves that too. Too bad he doesn’t seem to realize it.
“I’m trying not to think about it for a few more days, and then we’ll see.”
