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I poke a finger at him. “You’re getting older. You should really watch your intake. You won’t fit your lederhosen when you get home.”
He snorts. “Ha! Shows what you know. I have excellent genes.”
“On your mom’s side, sure. But I’ve seen your dad. He’s a sturdy man.” I make fists and stick out my elbows in a mock weightlifter pose, puffing out my cheeks. Hans’s dad is a sweet, friendly man, but he has a sizable belly.
Hans waves this off. “I have faith my Japanese genes will keep me svelte.”
“Japanese people don’t eat schnitzel and fries.”
“Have you heard of tonkatsu? It’s basically schnitzel.”
Teo drops to the couch beside me. “Will you two stop? You’re giving me a headache.” Hans and I stare. Teo never gets cranky—he must really be feeling bad. Then he smirks. “Or making me hungry.”
Chapter Eighteen
TEO
I lean back against the ugly but comfortable couch cushions. Sprawled in the recliner by the window, Hans lets out a soft snore every once in a while. I yawn and rub my eyes, then put my phone back into my pocket. It’s much too late to be reading.
Besides, I can’t concentrate—I’ve read the same page at least three times and have no idea what it says. My attention keeps straying to Eva. She’s curled up beside me on the couch, her head pillowed on my leg. There’s a tiny damp spot under her cheek, and her soft breath warms it every time she exhales. My right hand rests on her arm, and it’s starting to fall asleep, but I’m afraid to move it, for fear she’ll wake up.
I would sit here all night for Eva.
The realization hits me like a freight train. I’ve had a thing for her for years. I’ve known her almost as long as I’ve known Hans, but since she’s a year younger, elementary school me didn’t pay any attention. But in high school, she danced in that talent show, and I’ve been smitten ever since.
But being the kid who only shows up for a few months each year means I missed all of the important events as a teen. Everyone already had Homecoming dates by the time I arrived in the fall. Besides, I was expected to work in the family fest booth selling ornaments, so I couldn’t participate in the Polkafest that follows the Homecoming game at Rotheberg High School. And I was back in Europe long before prom.
I suppose I could have asked her out, but she had a large and lively group of friends—and I’ve always been an introvert. Breaking into that clique was beyond my emotional capabilities—even though it probably wouldn’t have been difficult. Hans seemed to flow between social groups with ease, and he let me tag along when I was in town. But there’s a huge difference between group activities and asking a girl out on a date.
When she started working in the Feltz Ornaments stall, I got to spend time with her risk free. Over time, we became friends, which was enough. Or so I always told myself.
Present Me has regretted Past Me’s decisions on more than one occasion.
But now we’re here, hanging out with Lina and Hans who are clearly a couple. Does that mean we’re double-dating? I’m going to pretend it does. Especially tonight. She let me hold her hand. And now she’s sleeping on my leg.
And I’ve finally figured out what Hans has been hinting at—this isn’t a crush anymore. I’m in love and have been for ages. And I don’t know how she feels about me. I don’t know what to do about it.
Maybe I’ll drum up the courage to kiss her.
Someday.
Maybe.
The door swings open, slapping my romantic fantasies in the face. The overhead lights flicker on, their fluorescent glare making me squint as the nurse and an orderly roll Lina’s bed back into the room. Hans pops upright, his bleached hair sticking out at weird angles. Eva jerks under my hand and pushes away from me. She yawns, then touches her lips as she grimaces at me. “I think I drooled.”
I drop my hand onto my leg, hiding the damp spot. “I didn’t notice.”
“Liar.” The smile says she appreciates my attempt to cover for her but isn’t going to let me get away with the fib. How can I read so much in a single glance? She yawns again and rises to cross the room to the bed. “How are you, Lina?”
“I’m good. Feeling fine. Look at my cool new cast. Will you sign it?” She slurs as she speaks, sliding from English to French to German nearly mid-word. She blinks at us like a drunk owl, then belatedly waves her arm, the white plaster bright under the overhead lights.
“How about we do that tomorrow?” Eva pats her friend’s good shoulder. “Are you allowed to leave?”
“I dunno.” Lina’s eyelids droop. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
The orderly disappears through the open door, but the nurse pauses to speak with me. “She can stay overnight, or someone can take her home. Do you have a car?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll arrange it.” I pull the phone out and nod at the nurse. “Did you schedule a follow-up?”
