A Girl's Guide to Moving On (New Beginnings #2) - Debbie Macomber Page 0,16

to surprise him, and so I added, “I have class.”

“You’re taking a class. Leanne, that’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear you’re looking for ways to expand your education.”

“Actually, I’m teaching a class.” I smiled, gratified to have surprised him further.

“Oh, okay. Tonight works best for me. How about after your class, say around nine-thirty? Or is that too late?”

“No, that should work.”

He picked a popular bar not far from my apartment. If he hadn’t mentioned our son I wouldn’t have agreed. I wasn’t uneasy about meeting Sean—well, maybe on some level I was, and really, who could blame me? We shared a long history and a child. I couldn’t ignore either. I assumed when we divorced that there would naturally be some contact between us.

“See you then,” Sean said, and we disconnected.

—

Nikolai met me in the parking lot the same way he had on Monday evening, and true to his word, he had baked me another loaf of bread. I thanked him and he walked me into class, taking the same prominent seat he had before. Everything about him spoke of eagerness. When I told him he was my star student, I hadn’t been exaggerating.

We continued the lesson on idioms. With each one we discussed, Nikolai took notes in a small pad he tucked in his shirt pocket as if to keep it close. He also had a list of idioms he didn’t understand that he brought to class for us to discuss.

Again, once class was dismissed, he waited until I was ready to leave and then walked with me to the parking lot.

I was beginning to feel mildly guilty that he stayed because of me. “Nikolai,” I said softly, not wanting to hurt his feelings, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you don’t need to escort me to and from the parking lot every class.”

As I feared, his face fell. “You no like?”

“It’s thoughtful of you, but it isn’t necessary.”

“I keep you safe.”

I didn’t need a bodyguard. The neighborhood was decent and I hadn’t heard of any crimes taking place close to the Community Center.

“It is my honor, but if you no want…”

I didn’t mean to offend him, and from his expression I could see that I had. “Nikolai,” I said, starting again. “I know your job requires you to be at the deli early in the morning. I hate the thought of you losing sleep when you could be heading home instead of waiting for me.” There’d been a couple times that it was close to nine-thirty before I was able to leave class.

“I sleep like tree every night. No worries.”

Like tree, I thought, confused, until I remembered this had been an idiom we’d discussed in class. “Oh, you mean you sleep like a log.”

“Yes, yes. Like log, not tree. I can still walk with you, okay?” His face was full of hope.

“If you want,” I said.

His smile became huge, as if I’d just announced he’d won a million dollars in the state lottery.

He stepped back when I opened my car door.

“Teacher…”

“Leanne,” I reminded him.

“Yes, Leanne. You look…” He paused and searched for the right word and then shook his head at a loss.

Knowing I would be meeting Sean, I’d taken extra care, dressing and applying makeup. “Pretty,” I suggested.

Again he flashed me one of his big smiles. “Yes.”

I was far too old to blush, but I felt the heat seep into my cheeks as I accepted his compliment even though I’d given him the suggested word. The appreciation in his eyes stayed with me as I hurried to meet Sean.

By the time I had parked and walked to the lounge it was a few minutes past nine-thirty. Sean had chosen well. I was afraid the bar would be busy and loud. Instead the atmosphere was subdued and low-key. While the room was crowded the noise level was held to a minimum.

Sean stood when I entered and then walked around the table to greet me, holding out his hands.

“Leanne,” he said, eyeing me appreciatively. “You look stunning.”

I smiled and took my seat. Compliments rolled off his tongue with practiced ease and I was never sure how sincere they were.

“You’ve lost weight.”

I had, but I doubted that he would notice the five pounds. However, I wouldn’t keep that weight off if I continued to eat Nikolai’s delicious bread.

Sean already had his drink—a dirty martini. He held up his glass for the waiter, who immediately stepped over to our table. I ordered a glass of white wine, which was more to