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“And it wouldn’t bother you?”
“Of course not. I mean, I’m the one who wanted the two of you to date, right?”
“That’s right. You’re the one who wanted it.” He tightened his lips, closing his eyes for a moment. “Have fun at the Christmas tree lighting.”
“Oh I will—I can’t wait. Just imagine, a bazillion lights coming on all at once. I’ve seen it on TV, but never in person. I’m going to take a video on my phone and send it to Charlie and Emily. They’ll be so jealous. And the weather is perfect. It’s going to be so beautiful.”
Steven smiled a bit dejectedly. “I wish I could be there to see it.”
“Surely you’ve seen it plenty of times. It wouldn’t be exciting for you.”
“No,” he said. “I wish I could be there to see you see it for the first time.”
“Oh!” Anne cried with thousands of others as the huge Christmas tree sprung to life with over thirty thousand lights. She joined in the cheers and clapping, forgetting she was taking a phone video as she jumped up and down with glee. Johanna and Alexander seemed to enjoy watching Anne as much as the tree. They stayed for thirty minutes until the show was over and the crowds began to disperse.
“Will you take my picture with the tree in the background? I want to prove I was actually here.”
Alexander snapped several pictures of Anne and Johanna together with the glowing tree in the background. Then they walked a block away to their dinner reservation. Anne was engrossed in the stories of Johanna’s grandchildren—a set of twin boys, aged three, and a one-year-old girl. She totally forgot about Steven and Ellen on their inaugural date. Two glasses of wine also contributed to her relaxation. But over dessert, Johanna asked a few probing questions about her love life.
“How is Henri? Are you two still an item? And most importantly, are there sparks?”
Anne hesitated. “I know I emailed you about my dad’s accident and me not getting to go to Paris.”
“Yes, and you told me your father is expected to make a full recovery. I am so glad.” She reached out to touch Anne’s hand. “Did things not go well with your father?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that… I didn’t go to Paris. And now, something is different between Henri and me. He’s coming here this weekend. I guess I don’t feel those sparks with him. But then I think maybe I would if we spent time together. He’s incredibly good-looking.” She glanced up at Alexander. “I’m sorry to put you through this. Your wife is a good counselor.”
He laughed. “I am accustomed to this. Back home, Johanna is die Liebe Arzt—the ‘Love Doctor.’”
“But what were you going to say?” urged Johanna.
“I just feel like Henri and I will never be anything but friends. But I don’t want to tell him that right now, not when he’s dealing with his niece who has cancer.”
“I don’t think you mentioned that. How terrible… His niece?”
“Yes. His sister and her two kids live with him, so he’s practically her father instead of her uncle. And she’s only seven.”
“And they just found out? About the cancer?”
“Yes. So you see why he needs me right now?”
“He is coming this weekend, and you will see him in person? Right? If the sparks are not there, you must tell him the truth. He needs the sparks as much as you.”
“You’re probably right,” she agreed, but she felt like a heel. She couldn’t break his heart at a time like this.
“But you have not told me about Steven Gherring.”
“What about him?” Blood rushed to her face, and she concentrated on her plate.
“The last time I was here, I told you I thought he might be attracted to you. It was the way he looked at you when you were dancing together. Was I right?”
Anne could feel her pulse in her temples. “No… I mean… it depends on what you mean by attracted. He… he—”
“Yes, I see.”
“You see what?”
“With Steven Gherring, there are sparks,” she said with a smug smile.
