word we’d exchanged; the taste and feel of him remained with me. While I tried to forget, I struggled with equal determination to remember.
When I arrived at the Community Center, despite my resolve not to, I automatically looked for Nikolai. Sure enough, he was waiting, and my gaze shot straight to him. The instant he saw my car pull into the lot a huge smile lit up his face. Even before I’d parked, he started walking toward me. As he had from the beginning, he brought me a loaf of his wonderful home-baked bread. I’d dreaded this evening and looked forward to it in equal measures.
As soon as I turned off the engine, Nikolai opened the car door for me. His expression was filled with such adoration that it made me want to throw open my arms and whirl around like Julie Andrews in the opening scene of The Sound of Music.
He smiled and couldn’t seem to stop staring at me.
I blushed at his attention and looked away, embarrassed and thrilled. He confused me until I stuttered, “Hello, Nikolai.”
“Hello.” He flattened his hand over his heart. “I think day. I think night. I think about kissing you again and again. I dream about kisses. Memory is like wasp in my basket.”
I had to think that one over. “Bee in your bonnet?”
“Yes, that. I think and think and you never leave my head.”
I admit it had been the same for me, but telling him that would only encourage him, so I said nothing.
“You like, too?” he pressed. “You think of kiss?”
“Nikolai”—I grabbed my purse and books, avoiding eye contact—“we should get ready for class.”
He handed me the loaf of bread. “For you.”
“Thank you.” I knew better than to refuse. To Nikolai, bread was everything. He’d admitted that he let the bread say what he couldn’t with words. Him telling me that had been burned into my memory. Never had I heard anything more romantic or loving.
We walked toward the center when Nikolai reminded me, “You come have Ukrainian beer with me tonight?”
Even before I left the house I knew he’d remind me that I said I would. I intended to beg off, but at the warm look in his eyes I couldn’t bear to disappoint him. I nodded. His smile was bigger than ever.
Class seemed to fly by, and before I knew it our time was up. My students left the room, chatting and talking to one another on the way out the door. As always, Nikolai was the last to go. “We meet same place?” he said.
I hesitated. “Nikolai, I don’t know that—”
“We no need go to Milligan’s. We go close. Walk from here, okay?”
Refusing him was almost impossible. I couldn’t look into his deep, dark eyes so full of life and happiness and refuse him.
“Okay,” I said.
He took my hand, curling his fingers around mine as we walked three blocks to an upscale tavern. It wasn’t as busy or loud as Milligan’s.
We were directed to a booth and Nikolai helped me take off my coat. As soon as we were seated he handed me a drink menu. Nikolai frowned with disappointment as he scanned the sheet. “They no have Ukrainian beer, so we must drink American beer. Not as good but okay.”
I hid my smile. “I’d prefer a glass of wine, if you don’t mind.”
“No, no, I no mind. You have whatever you want. You hungry?”
I shook my head. “I ate before class.”
The waiter came for our order and left, promptly returning with our drinks.
Nikolai waited until the other man had left before he spoke. “You worry?” he asked, his face full of concern. “I see it in you. You not smile as deep.” He stretched his arm across the table and gripped hold of my hand. “Tell me. You can say everything to me.”
I didn’t realize I was so transparent. Although I’d had a couple days to mull over what to tell him, I found myself lost in him, lost in the love and warmth radiating from him.
“Is it about kisses?” he asked.
“I liked kissing you, Nikolai.” It was important that I not offend him. The truth was that I’d enjoyed his kisses more than I dared admit. “You have to remember I was married for thirty-five years…I was faithful to my husband.”
He studied me, not speaking, waiting with what looked like worried anticipation.
“I haven’t…” I briefly closed my eyes, unsure how to explain what I felt. “I like you so much…”
His face exploded into a smile; the