Chapter 6: Rain

My phone rang and the name that came upon the screen surprised me and scared me at the same time.

“Hey Lukas, long time no talk. Where in the world are you?”

“Hello, Rain, meine liebe! Actually, I am in the US, in Portland to be more specific,” Lukas said, with his usual enthusiasm.

“Really? What are you doing in America?” I asked surprised.

“Just taking care of some family business, and checking on my favorite girl. I can’t believe you haven’t called me in more than a year,” he all but pouted on the phone screen. Lukas was prone to theatrics. And he was madly rich. “You have barely used the credit card I gave you lately. I was worried.”

I rolled my eyes with a smile.

“How are you? And you know exactly what I am asking,” his voice now was dead serious.

I knew where this conversation was heading, and I didn’t like it. I took a deep breath and said, “I am well, I guess.”

“You guess? Rain what’s wrong?”

“Two weeks ago, I had a little faint.”

“You fainted? Did the doctor do a whole-body checkup?”

“Lukas, stop! I didn’t go to see any doctor. I had a little dizzy spell, that’s all. I’m fine,” I repeated.”

“Or it could be something. Rain, you know you have to have yourself checked every three to six months. You got none. I checked.”

“No, no, no, no...” The reality of my situation had finally caught up with me.

“I haven’t fainted or experienced any other symptoms since ... well, you know. I am fine. Stop worrying.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m in a small town in the northwest. It’s called Middletown. Quite a charming place with very nice people and some spectacular views.”

He rolled his eyes on the phone screen. “You find nice people wherever you go. Have you met someone special?”

“I have,” I told him honestly. “Nothing too deep or serious, you know me. But he is a sweet, kind, and caring man. He is special in every sense of the word ... I am enjoying it being with him.” I was smiling and blushing while telling Lukas about Rolf. OMG, what was happening to me?

“Well, I am happy for you, Rain. Did you tell him about—?”

“No!” I interrupted him. I didn’t even want to hear the word. “Of course, not! What would be the point? We are not even in a serious relationship...”

“Rain, you should hear yourself when you talk about this guy ... I know firsthand the effect you have on males. I would bet my Dad’s fortune that he is hooked on you.”

Lukas was right, and I knew it, which meant it was time to move on. I couldn’t fall in love with someone, and I couldn’t let Rolf fall in love with me.

We had been together the whole summer. Together together. We had spent every night in his bed, filling the hours with amazing sex, laughter, and, most surprisingly, deep, peaceful sleep. He made me forget about all the bad things that had happened to me, and for that alone, I would love him forever.

We hadn’t discussed the nature of our relationship in any detail, but I didn’t care. I didn’t need a label. Rolf knew that my relationship with him was more than house sharing. However, whenever I tried to think about things on a deeper level, anxiety took over. The only way I could deal with my feelings was keeping things light and easy, and taking everything one day at a time.

Lukas’ voice brought me back to reality.

“Look, Rain, I have a couple of free days. Why don’t you tell me how to reach to your charming little town, so we meet and catch up?”

“That sounds great. I’ll send you the info. See you soon, Lukas!”

“It will be great to see you again and put some sense into that careless head of yours. Take care, please.”

I looked at the phone, checking how much time I had left before dinner. I enjoyed grocery shopping, as much as I enjoyed cooking.

I wanted to make it special because it was probably going to be one of our last ones.

Exactly two and a half hours later, Lukas showed up in Middletown square driving a luxury car that would attract everyone’s attention. Great!

I was pretty sure every person in town was watching us and wondering who this man was.

“Hello, Rain, it’s so good to see you again. Small-town life suits you. You look great,” he said effusively, kissing my cheek. “Can I park the car here?”

“Yes, and you can leave it unlocked. Nobody will bother it.”

Lukas nodded, but pressed the alarm button anyway.

“I am glad you made it to the countryside. I thought you were a big-city kind of guy.”

He looked around. “It looks like a nice, clean town. I understand why you like it here. Is your boyfriend joining us?”

“No. We are just friends, Lukas. That’s all we’ve ever been. All we’re ever going to be. Friends. You know why.”

Lukas shook his head. “You keep saying that to yourself, and eventually you’ll believe it.”

“He is in Seattle for a seminar. It’s better this way. He can be a bit ... possessive. Come, there is a delightful restaurant here. The food is amazing. We can catch up there.”