“No.” Laila knifed her portfolio through the air. “Don’t say anything unless you can trust me with the truth.”
A flicker of frustration kindled inside. Laila, of all people, should know the importance of keeping secrets in the resistance.
Except Laila didn’t know this had to do with the resistance.
And to tell her even that much would be to tell her too much.
Else opened her mouth then closed it. There was nothing more she could say.
Laila spun on her heel and marched down the street, her skirt swinging about her knees.
“I’m sorry.” Else had never intended to hurt her friend, but she had.
36
VEDBÆK
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER26, 1943
Henrik opened the front door of Lyd-af-Lys to find Else shaking out her umbrella. “Come in out of the rain.”
Janne Thorup stood at Henrik’s side. “May I take your wet things?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Else unbuttoned her raincoat.
Henrik helped her off with it. “I’m glad you came despite the weather.”
“I almost didn’t.” She laughed. “My grandparents called a taxi to take me to Holte. I convinced the driver to take me to Vedbæk instead.”
Janne took Else’s coat and umbrella. “You’ll want to warm up. There’s a fire in the fireplace and hot chocolate.”
“Thank you, Fru Thorup.” Else straightened her sweater, the blue and white one that hugged her waist and showed off her figure extraordinarily.
After Janne whisked Else’s things to the kitchen to dry, Else gave Henrik a look both shy and flirtatious.
And irresistible. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lowered his mouth to her ready lips. She leaned into him and slid her fingers into his hair, guiding him closer, uniting with him.
In the old days, if a woman had greeted him with a kiss like that, he would have rushed her straight upstairs. Not anymore.
Her sigh brushed his lips. “Once a week is not enough.”
“No. Especially not when I see you every day.”
“It’s hard to pretend. I—I don’t conceal my feelings well.” She lowered her chin.
Henrik rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. For over a week, Laila’s chilly demeanor toward Else had been difficult for Henrik to watch, even more difficult for Else to endure. “I’m sorry I came between you and Laila.”
“Oh,youhaven’t.” She raised earnest eyes. “She likes you, and she’d like you even more if she knew who you were. She’d be thrilled for us.”
“My secret comes between you.”
“Our secret.” She stroked the nape of his neck.
“If I moved—”
“Please don’t. I need—I like having you close.”
So did he. Far too much, and he frowned.
