Page 32 of Nikolai

Bella's face goes soft. "Leah, that man cares about you. Everyone can see it. As for his reasons, he has waited so long to make it known, are his own."

Alba doesn't hesitate to add her two cents, either. "I'm willing to bet Nikolai is giving you signals that he wants you. I know you, Leah. You're twisting all those things inside your head to make it seem like what's going on between you two is nothing."

I don't bother arguing with Alba's theory. Part of me knows she's telling the truth. It's easier for me to think that way, though. If I don't, I won't set myself up for disappointment.

"Has Nikolai ever given you reason not to believe his intentions are genuine?" This question is coming from Bella.

I shake my head.

Bella reaches across the table and squeezes my arm. "My advice, Leah, is to go with it. Trust in his words and trust in his actions. Try not to get inside your head and turn what you and Nikolai are building into something it's not."

"Do you think something is there between us?"

"Yes," Alba and Bella say in unison.

A second later, my cell phone vibrates against the table with an incoming call. I look down to see it's Nikolai calling. I answer.

"Hello."

"Malyshka," Nikolai rumbles into the phone, and I shiver.

"Hi, Nikolai." I can't stop my voice from sounding breathless. My conversation has also caught Alba and Bella's attention. The sisters look on with interest. They don't bother trying to hide the fact either.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the bakery with Bella and Alba. We went shopping and then decided to stop by Grace's for a coffee."

Nikolai goes to say something else, but the chime of his doorbell in the background cuts him off.

"Let me call you back."

"Oh, okay."

I hang up and see Bella and Alba looking at me expectantly. "What?"

"He calls you, Malyshka?" Alba swoons.

"You heard that?"

"Oh, yeah. I didn't make out everything he said, but I heard. What did he want?"

I take another sip of coffee. "I don't know. He didn't get a chance to say. There was someone at his door. He said he'd call back."

"Why don't you take him some fresh baked cookies or something," Bella suggests.

"Nikolai likes the blueberry muffins," Grace calls out from somewhere in the back. She's heard our entire conversation and is on board with Bella and Alba's idea. A second later, she appears behind the counter then proceeds to bag two muffins and fixes two coffees to go. "Here you go, sweetheart." Grace sets the bag and beverages on the table in front of me.

"I can't just show up at his house uninvited."

"Sure, you can," Bella urges.

I nibble on my bottom lip, contemplating the idea. Finally, I decide what the heck. Standing, I swipe the bag of muffins from the table.

"That's what I'm talking about." Alba throws her fist in the air. "Go see your man."

I roll my eyes but can't stop the giggle that escapes my mouth as I leave the bakery. Once in my car, I spy the bag sitting on the passenger seat containing my new dress and decide to make a quick detour to my apartment.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm standing in front of the mirror, staring at myself wearing my latest purchase. The white floral vintage dress has a V-neck that shows a decent amount of cleavage but not so much I'd consider it inappropriate. And the hem ends just above the knees. I decided to let my curls flow free by letting my hair down and running my fingers through it. Next, I pair the dress with a simple pair of sandals. Not wanting to overdo it with makeup, I opt for my favorite red berry lip gloss. Besides, my glasses tend to hide any effort I put toward wearing eye makeup. Maybe I should consider contacts.

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