Ein schönes Paar

Jarla Equestrian was celebrating its 40th anniversary. Rowan had asked Claire to go with him — and she had agreed. Mr. Riverton was just finishing his speech.

Mr. Riverton: “…dear guests, thank you very much — and now, enjoy the day.”

Rowan: “I’m so glad you came with me. You could say this is kind of a date… right?”

Claire: “Let me think. You could kind of say that… no.”

While eating, Claire thought: Why did I say no? He asked me out and I said yes. That’s what a date is. Rowan was thinking too: Why did she say no? I asked her out and she said yes. That’s what a date is. Mr. Riverton took his daughter aside.

Claire: “It’s a wonderful celebration, Dad. Hard to believe you’ve been doing this for 40 years. Congratulations. I love you.”

Mr. Riverton: “Now don’t be so generous with your love. Rowan and you really are a beautiful couple. That boy has been head over heels in love with you for so long… I almost thought it would never happen.”

After the celebration, Rowan drove Claire home.

Claire: “Imagine this, Rowan — my dad thought we were a couple and that this was a date.”

Rowan: “I thought for a moment it was a date too. Kind of a shame that it wasn’t. I have to go now, Claire. Sleep well.”

A few days later, Jamie ran into Rowan on the estate.

Jamie: “Rowan, man… we’re best friends and now I hear from strangers that you and Claire are a couple?! That’s amazing — tell me everything!”

Rowan: “Oh no… that must’ve been Claire’s dad. I invited her on a date — to the 40th anniversary — and her dad misunderstood something. And for her, it wasn’t even a date. She’s tough. I don’t know what else I can do.”

Meanwhile, Claire told Gillian the story.

Claire: “…my dad accidentally started this rumor. And Rowan’s disappointed because it wasn’t a date. I’m so stupid — why didn’t I just say yes?”

Gillian: “It was brave of him to say that. He’ll get over it. He’s in love with you — and you’re in love with him too, even if you won’t admit it. I think now it’s your turn to make a move.”

Later, I talked to Jamie.

Jamie: “They’re just amateurs when it comes to love — unlike me. I’d just go up to them and say: Claire, Rowan’s in love with you. Rowan, Claire’s in love with you. Just be together.”

Gillian: “Jamie!!! We are not getting involved. You are not doing that. Swear!”

I was doing the dishes and knew exactly what was going on in Jamie’s head. Jamie (thinking): If I just said, ‘You two are perfect for each other’… would that be interfering? No! I promised. I’m an adult. I can do this.

Gillian: “Don’t even think about it!”