The lights changed and we crossed. Kieran smiled when he saw the green Walk sign. “That’s different.”
“Thatis Ampelmänn,” I told him. “And you’ll only find him in Berlin.”
We walked through the pedestrianised area, and he smiled at the sight of the trees.
I didn’t want to lose the thread of our conversation.
“About my flirting…” I tilted my head to one side. “You haven’t told me to stop.”
Kieran didn’t answer immediately. Then he straightened his shoulders. “No, I haven’t.”
A trickle of anticipation slid down my spine. This didn’t feel random or casual.
We are moving in a direction.
Where to remained to be seen.
I glanced at Kieran again.There is more here than simple attraction.
I didn’t know what yet, but I intended to find out.
We stopped at the corner of Hardenbergstraße. “And now that you know I amdefinitelyflirting with you, does it change anything?”
Kieran held my gaze for a moment. “I don’t know.”
An honest answer. I liked that.
“It doesn’t have to,” I told him.
Kieran studied me. “You make it sound simple.”
“It can be,” I said with a shrug. “If you let it.” As we strolled, I found myself watching Kieran again. “You’re not uncomfortable.”
It wasn’t a question.
Kieran shook his head. “No.”
“Good.” I paused. “But you’re also not entirely certain what you’re doing here.”
He let out a breath. “No, I’m not.”
I sighed. “You don’t have to decide everything at once. Berlin is a good place to take your time.”
Kieran glanced at me. “You sound very certain of that.”
“I am.”
“From experience?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
The Lions’ Gate entrance to the zoo was ahead of us, people gathering in loose lines, the low hum of conversation filling the space. I’d already bought our tickets online.
Kieran slowed as we approached.
“I had a conversation yesterday,” he said, almost to himself. “With my friend. He said I shouldn’t rush into… labels.”
I nodded. “He’s right.”