The Couchsurfer

Mischa is the kind of host who takes hospitality very seriously.

When Max arrives at her loft — tall, backpack over one shoulder, warm chocolate eyes behind thin round glasses that give him exactly that sexy intellectual look she loves — she already knows this is going to be a good visit. Fresh white wine at twilight. Dinner. A night walk through the old narrow streets of the city, talking about travel and Japanese design and everything else that makes a conversation feel like it could go on forever.

When they get home, she makes up the couch. And stands there for a moment, looking at it, secretly hoping he won't have to use it.

Then she has an idea.

The couchsurfer is a warm, romantic and genuinely sensual confession about the particular magic of a stranger who feels immediately, inexplicably like someone you've been waiting for — and the host who decides, for once, to act on it. Happy vacations!