It took him a second or two to catch on.
No way was I going to mention flat surfaces.
I caught his flicker of recognition, and the hitch in his breathing.
“Because I think I said at the time that it sounded like a challenge.” I turned my head to meet his gaze. “So I suppose I’m trying to ascertain if you plan on following through.”
His eyes widened. “Yes.”
My chest—and another part of my anatomy—tightened in anticipation.
“Good.” I kept my voice low and even.
Berlin stretched out ahead of us, familiar to him, still new to me, and yet, somehow, already mine in a way it hadn’t been before. This time I wasn’t here temporarily or just passing through.
And I didn’t intend holding anything back.
Chapter Thirty
Kieran
We turned onto Motzstraße,the glow from the bars and cafés spilling out onto the pavement, the usual hum of conversation and music carrying through the evening air.
It looked the same, familiar and alive.
“We’ll get out here,” Stefan told the driver as we drew close toRomeo und Romeo. The car came to a halt, and he collected my suitcase and set it down on the pavement. I glanced at the familiar cafe, alive with music and voices.
And then I noticed what was different.
“There seem to be a lot of police around here.”
Stefan nodded. “There have been incidents.”
I frowned. “What kind of incidents?”
“There have been a string of attacks on queer locations in Berlin recently.” He pointed to the cafe. “And last month, the owner was attacked here, on the street.”
I recalled the owner, a quietly-spoken man in his fifties. “Is he okay?”
“He’s better now. Someone hit him over the head with a beer bottle, and it broke. The guy who did it was in his twenties. He also thought it was okay to fire off homophobic insults.” Stefan grimaced.
I peered inside the cafe. “They’re still open.”
“Of course they are.” Stefan took my hand in his. “We can come back later.”
And there was that word again.
We walked along the street towards Stefan’s apartment, my hand in his.
I’m really here.
And Diana and Miles would be here in two days’ time.
“There are a few things I need to tell you,” I said as we drew closer to his door. “Diana and I have applied for divorce.”
“I see. I take it this is all amicable?”
I smiled. “You can ask her that yourself in a few days.” Stefan blinked. “She and her boyfriend Miles—yes, she has a boyfriend—are coming to Berlin to visit the Christmas markets. And of course, she wants to meet you.”