Page 56 of Risky Obsession
We left the shop, and I waited until we were away from Gunter’s windows before I said, “That was weird.”
“Agreed.” Kane adjusted the framed map beneath his elbow, and we stepped out onto the cobblestone street.
The damp air clung to my skin and the setting sun cast an eerie sepia glow over the antique fair streets.
“What time does the fair finish?” I asked.
“Eight o’clock tonight.”
I checked my watch. Still four hours to go.
We joined a crowd that bottlenecked at the exit to an alleyway, and delicious aromas drifted up from a cup in the gloved hand of the woman beside me.
We merged onto a wider street. People were still everywhere, but it seemed everyone was carrying a drink or had food in their hands.
“What’s that drink everyone has?” I asked, easing closer to Kane’s side.
His brows shot up his forehead. “What? Don’t tell me you’ve never had mulled wine?”
I shrugged.
“Well,sis, we need to fix that.”
I burst out laughing. “Sorry about that. I don’t knowwhat I was thinking.”
“It was brilliant. Over there.” He nodded toward an outdoor area where high stools were set up around giant wine barrels.
We found an empty table, and as I slid onto the stool and positioned the framed map against the barrel, so it didn’t fall over, Kane went to the bar.
He returned with two steaming copper steins and a paper bag. He tore open the bag to reveal two piping hot pretzels, and the scent of warm dough caused my stomach to rumble.
“Try it.” He nudged one of the steins toward me. “It’s hot though, so be careful.”
I took a sip of the mulled wine, letting the spicy warmth spread through me. “Wow. That’s amazing,” I murmured, my eyes meeting his.
“You are amazing.” His pale eyes sparkled in the festoon lights draped overhead. “That story you made up about us being siblings following our ancestry was brilliant. I wouldn’t have thought of that.”
“Thanks.” I raised my beer stein. “Prost.”
He grinned. “Prost.”
We thumped our mugs together.
As we nibbled on the pretzels and sipped the mulled wine, the hustle and bustle of the old German town faded into the background as we shared this simple moment together. I allowed myself to enjoy his company, feeling a sense of ease that was foreign to me.
“At least now I know my sis is a good liar.” Kane laughed.
I froze, and my chest squeezed so tight I could barely breathe.
“I’m joking. Jeez. Have you always been so serious?”
I shook my head, dying on the inside.
He tore off a chunk of pretzel. “One of the things I like about you, Tory, is your brutal honesty.”
“Oh.” A wave of heat burned up my neck.
“Yeah. You wouldn’t believe the lies women tell me.”