Ugh, this wasn’t the plan. Since it’s my birthday on Monday, I wanted to throw a little party on here too and release part 16 in full… today. But life’s been a bit of a roller coaster for my family these last months.

And it’s like that again this week. I am now aiming for early release by Sunday evening (European time). In the meantime, here’s your teaser 😉

Oh, one more thing. Your tweets, comments, messages, emails and generous coffee contributions have given me so much energy and strength these last weeks. You are all so amazing.

Milly almost dropped her towel when she turned the corner and walked into the swimming pool area. It was 10 AM on a weekday, so it wasn’t crowded. That made it really easy to spot Hannah.

 

She was lying on a lounge chair by the pool – wearing nothing but a deep green bikini. Milly stood by the iron gate – frozen to the spot – her nails digging into the white hotel towel.

 

“Oh my god…” she thought. Hannah was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

 

And she’d imagined what Hannah would look like *a lot* these last 12 hours. After having finished her salad last night, Milly had decided – reluctantly – it was time to go home…

 

“Sure you don’t want me to order dessert?” Hannah asked.

 

“Yes, absolutely positive.”

 

Hannah shrugged. “OK, your loss… I had this amazing sundae last night.”

 

“Stop!” Milly giggled. “Don’t do this to me!”

 

“Ok, ok, ok…I’ll let you off the hook.”

 

Milly picked up her bag. “Thank you so much for dinner.”

 

She was wondering if Hannah still wanted to meet tomorrow. But she was too shy to ask. Hannah was putting their empty plates back on the room service cart. She seemed lost in thought. Maybe Milly could text her about it later. That would be a hell of a lot easier.

 

“What time would you like to go swimming? If you still want to come over, that is…” Hannah said softly.

 

Milly tried to stop her face from beaming. She didn’t want to seem too eager. Her heart was skipping a beat every few seconds.

 

“I’d love to! What time is good for you?”

 

Hannah rubbed her cheek – looking away. “Oh, ehm, I always enjoy a morning swim.”

 

Milly nodded happily. “Me too. How about we make it 10?”

 

“10 is perfect!” Hannah said. She walked to the door hesitantly – like she didn’t want to.

 

“Can you meet me at the pool? I’ll give the reception your name so you can pick up your pass and a towel there.”

 

“Ok, I will, sure” Milly said.

 

They were now both standing by the door. Milly didn’t know how to say goodbye. She clenched her fists.

 

“See you tomorrow morning then…” Hannah finally said.

 

Milly really wanted to lean in for a kiss on the cheek. Ok, maybe not just on the cheek. It didn’t matter what she wanted, though. She didn’t have the guts to give any sort of kiss, really.

 

But Hannah took a step towards Milly and opened her arms. Milly stepped into them – almost like she was on auto pilot – and let Hannah wrap her arms around her.

 

God, Hannah smelled wonderful. Milly tried to take in as much of her scent as she could. Hannah loosened her grip and Milly knew it was time to let go.

 

“Goodnight” she managed to say.

 

“Goodnight” Hannah croaked while she opened the door.

 

Milly walked into the hallway feeling dazed. She turned around and waved shyly at Hannah – who waved back with a somewhat sad smile. Milly hurried towards the elevator.

 

After that, everything was a blur for Milly. She kept thinking of how Hannah had smelled. How Hannah had felt. How her hair had tickled Milly’s cheek.

 

Once she got home, Milly walked straight into her bedroom to look for her swimsuit. It was still in her suitcase. She hadn’t bothered to unpack it after seeing the ‘pool closed’ sign.

 

Only when she was studying her dark blue one piece suit, Milly suddenly wondered what Hannah would be wearing tomorrow. She had mentioned she did not bring any swimming gear. Would she go shopping for the occasion?

 

Milly had actually whimpered when she had started picturing Hannah in all types of swim suits. She was supposed to be resting, but instead she had had a restless night.

Things would only get more unsettling from here, she now saw.

 

She was still standing at the gate of the swimming pool area – afraid to go inside and look Hannah in the eye…

 

^^ See you on Sunday,

Sigrid