I didn’t answer immediately. “He’s just returned to his life. To an unresolved situation that will require his full attention. Calling him now would introduce something… additional.”
“Something inconvenient?” Dieter suggested.
“Something influential,” I corrected. “At a point in time where he shouldnotbe making decisions under that influence.”
Dieter’s gaze didn’t shift. “And you’re concerned about his decision-making.”
“Yes.”
His gaze narrowed. “And not atallabout your own.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m aware of mine.”
“Mm-hm.” He sounded unconvinced. “That’s not quite the same thing.”
I didn’t argue the point, because it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
Dieter leaned against the wall, his attention still focused on me in a way that made it clear he had no intention of letting this remain at surface level. “You’ve never had a problem acting when you know what you want. That’s not new. What’s new is you decidingnotto.”
I met his gaze. “Yes.”
“Why?” The question was quieter this time.
I let out a sigh of resignation. “Because if I call him now, I’m not giving him a choice that’s entirely his.”
Dieter frowned slightly. “You think that little of him?”
“No,” I retorted. “I think that accurately of the situation.”
“And that’s the only reason?”
There it was, the question beneath the question.
Dieter looked me in the eyes, and I chose not to avoid his forthright stare. “No.”
His expression didn’t change, but his attention grew sharper. “Go on.”
I expelled a lingering breath. This part required more than precision—it required context.
“You remember Erik, of course,” I said.
Dieter’s eyes grew warm. “Yes. Hard to forget. You almost started buying matching furniture.”
I allowed the faintest hint of a smile. “It was discussed.”
“That was my first warning sign.”
I ignored that. “He wanted something stable. A shared life. Plans. Something that moved forward in a way that was… defined.”
“And you didn’t.” Dieter cocked his head. “You were together for years.”
“Yes.”
“And that still wasn’t enough?”
“No. There was no hesitation. There hadn’t been then, either.
Rolf had gone outside for a cigar, Felix at his side.