Love Is Pink!

“I have a dog. He’s huge and black.”


“That works out great. I have a daughter who loves dogs. And I have a house with a big garden. I’d love to show it to you sometime. No strings attached, of course.”

“Oh?” I said. “I would especially like to visit if I knew that your house had a Christmas tree.”

“A Christmas tree?”

I nodded.

“As luck would have it, my daughter and I happen to have trimmed our tree just this afternoon.”

My coffee cup was empty. I stood up and threw it away. “Well, what are we waiting for?” I asked.

It only occurred to me now that the counter guy had been listening to us the entire time. His mouth was slightly agape.

I waved good-bye to him as David took hold of Baby’s leash.

Together we walked over to the car. It had gotten even colder outside. The raindrops had turned into miniature crystals, whirling in the air like powdered sugar. Fine white dust began to settle on our clothes.

I stopped in front of the Citro?n. “How did you even find me?” I asked.

David smiled. “That wasn’t difficult. You weren’t home, and at Madame Segebade’s you complimented her beautiful tree and said that you go to the Brandenburg Gate every year. So . . .”

“You remembered that?”

“Details are important. They make you a good architect.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out the car key, and held it out to me. “Would you like to drive?”

I wanted to take the keys, but almost by accident, I touched David while doing so. I don’t know what happened next. I just remember that we kissed, right in front of the Christmas tree at the Brandenburg Gate, as increasingly larger snowflakes danced around us.

A bright and clear voice called out to us. “Will you two stop that and finally get in? I’m cold. And I want to go home. Otherwise I’ll miss my presents!”

A bit embarrassed, I stepped back from David. We lifted Baby into the backseat next to Emma. She greeted him effusively.

I sat behind the steering wheel. Before turning the ignition key, I shot David a questioning look. “Do you think Pinky will start for us?

“I got the hint the first time. I’ll get the Citro?n repainted.”

“Don’t you dare,” I said sternly. “Pink is my new favorite color!”

Emma leaned forward to whisper to me. “See, I told you that love is pink!”

The car started. As it roared, I said, “There’s something else I’d like to know.”

“What is it?” David asked.

“How far do we need to drive this time?”





ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Roxann Hill was born in Brno, Czech Republic. As a young girl during the Prague Spring, she fled with her parents to Germany, where she grew up and still lives today with her husband, two children, and two big dogs.

While continuing to pursue her executive-level career, Roxann Hill writes novels that she would like to read herself: romance, fantasy, and mystery/thriller are her favorite genres. The centerpiece of each of her novels is always the love story.

Visit Roxann Hill at her blog: www.roxannhill.blogspot.de. You can also follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/roxann.hill.autorin) and Twitter @Roxann_Hill, and Google+ (Roxann Hill). Your input is always welcome!





ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR


A New York City native, Elena Mancini grew up speaking Italian and English. She holds a PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures from Rutgers University, and is passionate about the intimate literary dimension that she experiences translating fiction. She has published numerous literary translations and works of social commentary online and in print. In addition to translating, Elena teaches German literature and film at Queens College in NYC, and works in the field of international higher education administration.