Free Helsinki Sunrise by Marion Ueckermann

as he could. He turned to Eveliina and brushed a finger across her face. “Do you know you have red paint on your cheek?”
    She rubbed the spot. “Is it gone?”
    “Almost.” Adam gently flaked the paint off her skin. “What were you painting?”
    “The cottage. At the side.”
    “You intend to paint the entire cottage?”
    Eveliina nodded.
    “On your own?”
    She shook her head. “I hope not.”
    “I hope not, too. I tell you what, today’s the Lord’s day, but I’ll help you tomorrow.”
    She remained silent. A good thing. At least she didn’t curse or mock him. Perhaps this would be a good time.
    “Eveliina, I have something I need to tell you. I—”
    Her cellphone rang. What bad timing.
    “I’m sorry.” She stood and fumbled in her shorts’ pocket until she found her phone. She turned to Adam. “I need to take this. I won’t be long.”
    “It’s OK.”
    Eveliina stepped to one side.
    “Joel?”
     
    ****
     
    What was Adam about to say? Eveliina found it difficult to keep her annoyance from her tone as she whispered into the phone. “Why are you calling?” There were things she would have liked to talk about with Adam, but would they recapture that moment when she returned? She had to get Joel off the phone—fast.
    Joel came back with his own question. “Why are you whispering?”
    Eveliina raised her volume a notch. “You promised you wouldn’t contact me.”
    “Uh-uh. I promised I wouldn’t follow you. You never said a thing about not calling. Besides, I’ve left you alone for nearly two days. That’s a record.”
    His teasing did nothing to humor her. “I told you I need time alone.”
    “And you’ve had it, Eveliina. Or aren’t you alone? Is that why you’re talking in hushed tones?”
    “Of course I’m alone.” How could she explain Adam’s presence? She didn’t want to either. If she told Joel, he’d be over there in a half-hour and that would be the end of any interlude with love.
    “I was hoping to talk with you. I’ve missed you. But I can tell you’re in no mood for this conversation.”
    “I’ve missed you, too.” Best to keep him happy. The last thing she wanted was him coming to the summer cottage—and he’d do just that if he suspected the slightest thing was amiss.
    “That’s my girl.”
    His words grated to her soul. “I don’t mean to be rude, Joel, but I’m in the middle of something.”
    “What?”
    “Painting.” It wasn’t entirely untrue.
    “A portrait of me, I hope.”
    “I decided to paint the cottage.”
    He laughed out loud. Eveliina held the phone away from her ear and pulled a face. “Then I’m glad it’s Sunday and I have work in the morning,” she heard him say when she returned the phone to her ear, “otherwise you might have wanted me to come and help.”
    No, I wouldn’t. I already have all the help I need—or want.
    “Listen, I need renders of the pirate ship, the abandoned boat and the damsel in distress by the end of the week.”
    “Have you forgotten I’m on holiday?”
    “I know, and I’m sorry. The client called this afternoon and requested those visuals by Friday. They actually asked for a whole lot more. I delegated some of the work to Kristiina, Teemu, and Roope.”
    “I can’t believe this.”
    “I told you I’m sorry. You know what this client is like. There’s nothing I could do. You’ll have to spend some time getting those visuals done.”
    “ Some time? Do you know how long those models will take to design?” Not waiting for an answer, she continued. “Of course you do, but why would you care? I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises because, unlike you, I actually do attempt to keep my word.”
    “Eveliina…”
    “I have to go. I’ll email whatever I manage to get done, whenever I manage to get it done.”
    “Don’t be like that—”
    Eveliina cut the call. She’d wasted enough time on Joel. She turned.
    Adam sat kicking the water—over and over—the action so unlike the