Strong Enough

Maxim lit up when he noticed me sitting at a high-top table, and I probably did the same, judging from the way my heart started to pound. God, were we too obvious? I dropped my attention to the menu.

He came by a little while later.

“Hey,” he said, sliding onto the chair across from me. “I have a quick break. How’s your dinner?”

“Good.” I set down my burger. “Maybe not as vkusnyy as your syrniki, but good.”

He laughed, his eyes lighting up. “You remembered.”

“Yes, but I haven’t had much occasion to use them. The only Russian I know isn’t around much.” Fuck, did that sound needy?

“I’m sorry. I’ve been working so late.” He lowered his voice so only I could hear it. “But I’ve missed you.”

He’s missed me. He’s missed me. I wanted to let it show how much I liked hearing that, but I couldn’t. I wanted to say it back, but I couldn’t. I took a drink of my beer, set the bottle down, and looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “Wake me tonight. When you get home.”

His eyebrows went up. “You’re sure?”

Fuck yes, I am. Even sitting across the table from him was driving me nuts. I wanted to reach over, grab a fistful of his shirt, and yank him toward me so I could devour his mouth. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

“Hey, you!” Ellen appeared at my table. “Someone said you were here. Twice in one week, I’m honored!”

“Good.” I picked up my beer again, tried to play it cool, but my pulse was racing. Had she heard what I said?

She tilted her head. “No Carolyn tonight?”

Maxim and I exchanged a glance. “Uh, no. Actually, Carolyn and I decided we’re better as friends.”

Ellen clucked her tongue. “Oh, really? That’s too bad. She’s really nice.”

“She is.”

“Well, you’ll meet someone else.” She perked up. “Hey, want me to introduce you to—”

“No,” I said firmly. The dates Ellen set up for me were always disasters. “Do not introduce me to anyone.”

She pouted. “You’re no fun. You’re like a grumpy old man who’s all set in his ways and doesn’t want to do anything new or different. But you’re never going to meet anyone if you keep going to the same places and hanging out with the same people.”

“I’m fun,” I said, jerking my chin at her. “I’m just busy right now. There’s a lot going on.” And I only have eyes for one person. He’s sitting right across from me right this second, and I’m having trouble breathing because of it.

She sighed as if I was a lost cause. Maybe I was. “Fine, fine. Enjoy your dinner. I gotta get back to work. You’re okay, Maxim, take your break,” she said when Maxim got off his chair. Then she turned to me. “Did he tell you he’s been taking the bus the last couple days?”

I looked at him. “No. You are?”

He nodded. “I felt much too guilty needing to be driven all around.”

“It’s a long walk to a bus station from the house.”

He shrugged. “I don’t mind. And I like the independence.”

“But after work, I make him take an Uber home,” said Ellen.

Uber? He didn’t even have a credit card yet. “But how do—”

“I call it for him.” She giggled. “I told him it was part of his benefits package.”

“I told her to take it out of my pay,” Maxim said.

“And I’m totally doing that.” My sister gave me a look that said I’m not doing that. “Okay, I’m going. Bye.”