Nas grinned. “I do. I really do.”
“The story ends with us being careless and getting caught, Maggie blaming me for leading on her son and calling me a little tramp. Me realizing that no matter how much I loved Maggie, she was not my mother. And I was gone the next day.”
“She called you a tramp?” Nas uttered, appalled.
I nodded. “A little tramp.”
“And then you disappeared on ‘em.” Nas paused and added thoughtfully, “I’ll bet she’s thought about you every day since you’ve been gone.”
Her statement made my heart stutter. “You think?”
“Um, yeah. She called a seventeen-year-old girl a nasty name in anger and that girl took off, never to be seen again.” She snorted. “I’d say she’s paying every single day for what she did, just by the memory of you. Serves her right, stupid bitch.”
I didn’t want to believe Maggie could have been suffering from guilt this entire time. Sure, she’d called me a bad name, but it didn’t compare to the fact she’d taken me into her home and made me part of a family for close to five years. She deserved more than to live like that.
As soon as Nas dropped me off at home, I searched the house for Lev, finding him downstairs, sitting in a rocking chair, cradling a sleeping Lidiya, and speaking soft words into her curly hair.
I stood in the doorway unnoticed for a long while, watching this man be a father to his daughter. My throat thickened with emotion. Lev was proving to be more than I originally thought him to be.
With a soft clearing of my throat, Lev turned and caught my eye. I lifted my hand in a gentle wave and he lifted the little girl, carrying her across the room and tucking her into her toddler bed. He picked up the baby monitor, stepped out the room, and turned the device on. I backed away from the door as he closed it carefully.
My expression was tender when he approached. I’d forgotten my purpose momentarily. Placing a hand on his forearm, I squeezed gently and whispered, “You’re a good daddy, Lev.”
Looking mildly embarrassed, he ignored my compliment, but didn’t step away from my closeness. “How did you do today? When Nastasia is determined to see something happen, she can be overassertive.”
Linking my arm through his, we walked down the hall together. “You know, your sister might be a badass, but she knows how to motivate a person.” I smiled up at him. “I didn’t drop a single glass. Not one. And I now know how to make about ten different mixers. So I’m ready for tonight. Bring it on.”
He stilled, pulling me to a stop, searching my face. “You look to be in better spirits today. I’m glad.”
My face became void of expression. “Four days ago, you took me off the streets, fed me, gave me a place to sleep, and offered me a job.” Slowly, so there was no mistaking my intentions, I stepped forward, slid my arms around his waist, and pressed myself into him, squeezing gently, resting my head between his pecks. “Thank you is not enough of a phrase to express how grateful I am that I met you, Lev Leokov.” I breathed in the sandalwood cologne he wore. “You saved my life.”
He didn’t hug me back, but he reached up and stroked my hair kindly. “I would do it all over again, mouse.”
I pulled away an inch, my arms still around him, to look up into his face. “It can only get better from here, right?”
His expression glum, he cupped my cheek with a warm palm. “Of course.”
It was then I remembered my initial reason for interrupting him. Stepping back, I linked my arm through his once more. “I need your help.”
He didn’t ask what for; he simply responded a determined, “Anything.”
And I knew—I just knew—he wouldn’t let me down.
***
Mina
From the moment I stepped inside Bleeding Hearts, I knew my anxiety had returned with a vengeance. I wasn’t sure what had brought it on, but I was definitely feeling the pressure after the fourth glass had slipped from my hand and shattered as it hit the floor.
Nastasia pulled me aside. “What gives, dude? You were doing so well today!”
I sputtered angrily, “I don’t know! Jesus.”
Anika came over, looking somewhat sympathetic. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we’ve got a bachelor party coming in. They’ll be here in ten and I’m their server.” She looked at Nas, her striking blue eyes concerned. “What are we going to do? I don’t think I can leave Mina behind the bar tonight, not without someone to help.”
I slapped my hands over my face. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Nas. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
Anika spotted something by the door and straightened. “Dammit,” she smiled widely as she muttered through gritted teeth. “They’re early. I have to go play hostess. Nas, stay with her, please.”