As for Alexei, well, he’d never admit it—he always just said he couldn’t get enough of Babulya’s cooking. But Nicholas had the not so sneaking suspicion that it had far more to do with the vibrant blonde who most often occupied the counter beside Sloane in the afternoons and evening shifts.
Alexei had never been known to have a serious girlfriend in the entire time Nicholas had known him, but there’d also never been a woman who had seemed less interested in him than Veronica. Nicholas wasn’t sure if it was just the bruise to his friend’s ego that had him showing up every day or if it was more.
Nicholas was just happy for any opportunity to snatch a few minutes with his wife, especially now that the Cold War in his house had finally warmed up considerably.
“Hi there, lovely. Which do you think pairs better with today’s special? Black tea or the raff coffee. I haven’t had raff coffee since I was last in Moscow. Have you been?”
Veronica was not impressed with him, which Nicholas had to say, was fucking funny. “I grew up there. It’s too crowded.”
“How long have you lived in the states? You barely have an accent.”
“I just came here for school.”
“Oh yeah?” Alexei perched an elbow on the counter and leaned in. “What are you studying here? At what university? I went to NYU.”
“Sorry, I don’t really have time to chat.” Veronica said, barely containing her eyeroll and a can-you-believe-this-guy? look towards Sloane. “Lots to do and we’re about to shut down for the afternoon. So if you can decide what you’d like to order, that’d be great.”
“Right.” Alexei straightened up and Nicholas tried not to laugh. It was pretty epic to see his friend shut down so roundly. Usually women fell down over one another in order to get his attention. Still, Alexei hadn’t gotten this far in life by being meek.
“I’ll have the special and actually, I’ll go with the black tea.”
“That’ll be nine dollars and forty-two cents,” she said without missing a beat.
“Oh,” Alexei said, looking a little out of sorts before finally reaching for his wallet. Again, Nicholas just barely managed to hold back a snicker. It would have been a douche move to pull the but don’t you know who I am? card to insist he didn’t have to pay. He’d been paying for the last two weeks ever since Veronica started, and every time this little dance played out, Nicholas had to hold back a laugh. Seeing him pay unnecessarily just because he wanted to impress a girl was just too damn funny.
Alexei handed over a card and Veronica swiped it. “So,” Alexei said, leaning forward again, “I totally respect that you’re busy while you’re here at work. But what about after? A beautiful girl like you has gotta take a break sometime. Could I take you out for drink later?”
The look Veronica shot him could have frozen the steaming mug of water she’d just poured from the hot water spout. She grabbed a tea bag and dropped it in the water, then put the lid on and shoved it back towards Alexei, along with his credit card.
“Sorry, Mr. Vasiliev, but that would be a conflict of interest, seeing as I work for your family.” She smiled sweetly, but the fact that damn, she did know who Alexei was, that was even fucking funnier. She knew he was the big boss and still wasn’t impressed. Anything but, it looked like. Smart girl, all things considered.
Alexei deflated and took his tea and the sandwich that Sloane produced on a plate. She already had Nicholas’s sandwich ready on a plate as well, having prepped it just the way he liked.
“Thanks, babe.”
He leaned over the counter and grabbed her by the back of the neck, pulling her in for a kiss that was long and maybe inappropriate for public but she was so damn cute in that little apron and having anticipated what he wanted.
She was blushing like crazy when he let her go, but by the secret smile on her face, he knew she wasn’t mad.
Alexei was already standing by the front door looking more than ready to leave when the door to the back kitchen banged open suddenly and then there were loud voices shouting in Russian. Someone, or multiple someones, had just come in from the back alley.
Grigory, one of the men who was usually with Papa Dimitri, came running to the front of the shop. He looked around, eyes frantic. “Clear everyone out.”
Alexei immediately came to attention. He shook his head. “It’s only us. They’re just about to close up for the afternoon.”
“Good,” Grigory ordered. “Close now. Shutters down.”
Alexei nodded, though the expression on his face was grim. Nicholas nodded, going towards the door and flipping the lock, yanking down the shutters the next second.