“Where are you going?” I demanded.
“To help,” Hans said, as if that explained everything. And before I could stop him, he’d disappeared into the café again.
“Wait—Hans—” A flicker of alarm spiked through me.
Too late.
I watched, helpless, as Hans approached Stefan in the queue. Said something. Then Stefan turned?—
And looked straight at me.
I saw the instant spark of recognition, followed by a smile. And something else.
Interest.
My stomach clenched.
Hans spoke again, gesturing towards the window. Stefan nodded once, still watching me. Then Hans turned and came back outside, looking way too pleased with himself.
“He’s going to join us,” he said, sitting down.
I stared at him. “What did you say to him?”
“Not much,” he said breezily.
I clenched my hands into fists. “Hans, what did yousay?”
He grinned. “That you thought he was hot, and he should come and have coffee with you.”
My jaw dropped. “I never said?—”
“Relax.” Hans waved his hand. “He didn’t seem offended.”
“That’s not the point?—”
“Too late,” he interjected as Stefan stepped outside, coffee in hand, and came over to where I sat.
“Hello again.” His eyes twinkled. His voice was the same, warm and easy.
“Hello.” It was all I could manage to get out.
Stefan glanced briefly at Hans, then back to me. “Your friend is very persuasive.”
I shot Hans a look. “So I’ve gathered. And he isn’t my friend. We’ve only just met. And?—”
“Oh dear,” Hans said with an exaggerated sigh as he rose to his feet. “I’m afraid I’ll have to cut our lesson short. Another time, maybe?” He moved as if to walk away.
“Hey!” I called out, aware of heads turning in my direction. “You’re supposed to be teaching me German.”
“And I will—soon.” Then he grinned. “Or maybe you’ll find yourself another tutor. You can have my coffee.” And with that, he strolled away from the café.
I stared after him.
A cough sounded close by. Stefan gestured to the empty chair next to mine. “May I?”
“Of course,” I said. Because what else could I say? Saying no seemed optimistic, given the current state of my brain. It would also require a level of composure I no longer possessed.
I made a mental note to find Hans later and do… something. I hadn’t yet decided what. I stared after him, still annoyed.