About the book
Although it seems that everything is perfect in the life of a young lawyer, Natalina, she can feel that it's not entirely so. One day, a storm forces her to spend a night in a hotel room, where she meets Jane, in whose company she feels free and herself.
A strange bond between the two women quickly develops. The catch is that Nats, as Jane tends to call Natalina, isn't completely honest with her new acquaintance and she claims that she has just left her husband. However, outside Jane's company, she's still married Lina, in whose world everything is different.
Video about the book
Reading an extract
Extract 2
‘Listen to me, Jane, you really are good with words. I’m saying that to you in all honesty because that’s what friends are for.’
As far as I can tell, my words manage to get through to her.
‘But that’s only because you’re the one I’m saying them to… Somehow.’
I totally get what she means by that ‘somehow’. After all, we’re just two random women who have barely spent any time together, yet there is a strange and exciting connection between us which makes it seem that we can share everything with each other…
Including my giant lie about leaving Maurice.
The reality suddenly kicks in, and I have to grab one of Jane’s sketches and pretend that I’m looking at it closely so that she doesn’t notice something’s off.
‘So you really think I should write about the collection myself?’ Jane is seeking reassurance, and I’m more than happy to provide her with exactly that.
‘Yes, I really do. Just relax, Jane – all in all, that’s what the idea behind the collection is, right?’
‘Right. Thanks, Nats, I appreciate this so much. But now, let’s cut out the mushy talk.’ She swings herself up on her bed, finds a comfortable position lying prone, resting her chin on her intertwined hands, and she gives me a piercing look. ‘So… you’re still wearing your wedding ring.’
‘Oh.’ Thinking of the devil, now I’ll actually have to speak about him. Damn it. ‘You don’t miss anything.’
‘I’m a fashion designer, and it’s an accessory. There was no chance my eyes were going to miss it.’
‘Point taken.’
‘So, did you guys get back together?’ From her tone, I can easily deduce that she wants me to say no. And I really want myself to say no. Isn’t this why I’ve come here in the first place?
Things have been going well with Maurice, but with him being far away and me not even missing him at all and feeling as free as ever, I can’t simply confess to Jane that we’re together or worse, that I never left him in the first place. What would she think of me if I did? That I wanted a little adventure and misused her trust to treat myself to a bit of free-spirited fun? I can’t risk that.