Chapter 13
Elina
With my phone in my hand, I pace through the kitchen-living room of my cottage. "And when I touched his arm for the blood draw, he got goose bumps," I say, holding my breath, but there's silence on the other end of the line. "Come on, Maya, tell me. What do you think?"
My best friend clears her throat. "Um..."
It's no wonder she's speechless after my confession. "It could be a sign, you know?" I continue since she's still not saying anything. "He's just pretending that I don't affect him. Maybe there's something there."
"Are you sure?" Maya cautiously asks now. "I really don't want to spoil your happiness, but..."
"Men are off-limits, I know," I say dejectedly, sinking onto the small sofa. "But what if this is different?"
"If he's truly the love of your life, the one you've been waiting for?" Her skeptical undertone is unmistakable even though she tries to hide it.
"It could be possible. You know how well I've managed to stay away from men lately. The fact that both of us seem to be out of control, despite our efforts, might be a sign," I reply, filled with longing. But even as I speak, I realize that Maya's skepticism is more than justified. "Or maybe not?" I add softly.
"Of course," she quickly responds, probably without giving it much thought.
Lost in thought, I gaze out the window. The forest next to my cottage is enveloped in twilight. A solitary bird pecks at the mossy ground, searching for food. "Maybe it's like with you and Josh," I say, recalling their own struggles. "Love can't be controlled, right?"
"It does whatever it wants," Maya confirms dreamily.
Her response sets my thoughts free. They paint the most beautiful pictures in my mind. Images of Noah looking at me with warmth in his eyes. His hand caressing my cheek, leaving a tingling sensation as if an entire fireworks display were raining down on me. And between two passionate kisses, he whispers those famous three words.
"Listen, sweetie," Maya interrupts my daydreams. "I know how much you long for a relationship. And I want nothing more than for Noah to be the right one for you..." Just from the way she phrases her words, I can tell that she doesn't believe it can actually come true. "But not every love story has a happy ending; don't forget that."
How could I forget? Considering what I've experienced with men before. Yet my heart refuses to accept that. "This one could have one," I retort, stubbornly punching the cushion. "Noah is different from all the men I've met before." The others have undressed me with their eyes before I could even sayhello. But he's reserved, almost shy. And even though he's rough around the edges and knows nothing about beautiful things, I happily imagine he has a gentle soul.
"I just don't want you to end up disappointed," shesays. She skips mentioningagain, but I'm sure she's thinking it. "You're my best friend, and I want you to be happy."
Everything she says is right. I shouldn't get involved with him. Period.
I switch the phone to my other ear and push myself up from the sofa, pacing back and forth in the cottage. "So if you really want me to be happy, come visit me. Best tomorrow, then we'll have the whole weekend to ourselves."
"This weekend?" She sounds surprised. "Weren't your parents supposed to come?"
She still remembers that? "Yes," I admit, instantly feeling like I've shrunk a few inches. No wonder my shoulders suddenly feel so heavy. It's dark outside now. Raindrops splash against the windowpane. How fitting.
"What happened?"
Maya's sympathetic tone wraps around me like a thick coat, taking away my breath. "Mom has the flu." It's a lie, but it's easier to say than admit that my parents love Aaron more than they love me.
"That's unfortunate." I hear the creaking floor in the background. Maya is probably walking around Josh's villa, where she moved in a few weeks ago. "Unfortunately, I can't come. Josh has a concert in Barcelona, and we're flying there tomorrow morning. Of course, I have to be there." She giggles.
"Absolutely," I confirm, knowing that despite her twenty-seven years, Maya has hardly seen anything of the world. I'd like to smile or make a joke, but all I feel is this deep sadness that has gripped me ever since we started talking about my parents.
"Are you okay?" It's as if she can sense what's going on inside me despite the hundreds of miles between us.
I shrug. "There's nothing to do here. No cafés, no concerts, no clubs. They don't even have a decent clothing store. Just this damn silence, the mountains, and trees as far as the eye can see. It's terribly boring."
"You're only seeing the negative sides." The reproachful response comes from the other end of the line. "There's plenty to do in Tyrol. Like hiking, for example."
"Hiking? Me?"
"Just give it a try. I'll find some beginner routes for you and send them to you." Maya brims with energy.
"You still remember what happened when we hiked up Wiener Wilhelminenberg." Now I have to grin again because the memory of it is quite funny. I had to wear an ankle brace for three weeks.
