Chapter Twenty-Two Maksim
As I sat around the table surrounded by Sarah’s brother and his friends, I couldn’t think of a time lately when I’d had more fun. I’m sure my brothers would’ve found my domestic bliss quite pathetic, especially Aleks and Lev who loved nothing more than heading out to a club every night.
But I’d never been that person. Clubs were sensory nightmares for me. It was hard enough talking without trying to do it over the loud thumping club base. Throw in the fact that I had a stutter made it hellish.
There was something so pure about the conversations and people around the table. Not to mention Sammy’s cooking was delicious. He’d prepared two large pans of ziti while the other guys had helped out to make salad and bread. Of course, dessert was down to Sammy’s cupcakes.
When I asked Oleg to grab the cupcakes, I also told him to buy out the rest of the bakery’s other available flavors. I figured it was a way to ensure everyone had a choice and a good way to make friends with the Irish.
As I spooned another helping of the ziti, I noticed the girl beside me. She hadn’t been talking or eating much. Trying to make conversation, I asked,
“I’m Maksim. What’s your name?”
“Molly.”
“That’s a p-pretty name.”
“Thanks,” she replied while dragging her fork through the ziti.
“I hear there’s a big dance coming up.”
At the quick bob of her head, I asked, “Who are you g-going with?”
Molly stared up from her plate at me and promptly burst into tears. “Oh shit,” I muttered before looking helplessly across the table at Sarah.
After surveying the situation, she rose out of her seat to come around the table. Sarah gently rubbed the back of Molly’s head. “It’s okay, honey.”
When Molly continued to cry, Sarah crouched down beside her. “Can you tell me what made you so sad?”
“I don’t have…anyone to go to the…dance with,” she sobbed.
Sarah gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s okay. You can go with me and Quint.”
Molly shook her dark head back and forth. “I want my own date.”
“I bet Quint would go with you instead of me.”
“No. He would be mad at me for taking you away.”
Sarah appeared stumped. There were so many reasons not to say what was flashing in my mind. Ignoring them, I blurted, “I’ll b-be your d-date.”
Both Sarah and Molly stared wide-eyed at me. From their expressions, I debated shooting out of my chair and running out of the room.
“You would take me?” Molly questioned incredulously.
“Sure.”
“Oh. My. God,” Molly replied.
Frowning, I glanced between her and Sarah. “Is t-that a yes?”
Sarah smiled. “I think so.”
Through her tears, Molly beamed. “I’ll have the most handsomest guy there!”
Nudging my leg with her shoulder, Sarah said, “I agree.”
With a wink, I said, “Please don’t flirt with me in front of my date.”
Sarah’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Okay, I’ll try.”
“Would it b-be okay if you and I doubled with Sarah and Quint?” I asked.
Molly’s brows creased in thought. “Will I still get to ride in the car with you?”
“I d-don’t see why not.”
“All right.”
Since Molly was no longer upset, Sarah rose up and went back to her chair. After she sat down, she mouthed, “Thank you.”
With a smile, I mouthed back, “You’re welcome.”
My phone buzzed then. When I glanced at the screen, I saw Oleg was back with the cupcakes. “Excuse me. I need to g-grab the cupcakes,” I said.
“Need any help?” Sarah asked.
“I think I’ve g-got it.”
When I walked out the door, Oleg stood balancing five boxes in his arms. Cocking my head at him, I asked, “Are you sure you g-got all the cupcakes?”
“Yes, sir. I personally checked to make sure. At first, the man didn’t want to accept my money, but then I told him that you insisted.”
“Good. I’m not sure when Sarah will be ready to leave, so just be on alert.”
“Yes, sir.”
After taking the boxes from Oleg, I headed back into the house. When I brought them to the table, there was a mad dash from everyone to grab one. Sarah eyed the choices before grabbing a chocolate one.
When I didn’t get one, she asked, “Not a cupcake fan?”
I shrugged. “I'm more of a fan of the Russian version.”
As she unwrapped the paper covering, she asked, “What do they call them there?”
“Keks. My favorite kind is the one flavored with apples.”
“That does sound good.”
After taking a bite and swallowing, a sliver of icing remained on the corner of Sarah’s lip.
When the corners of my lips quirked, she asked, “What?”
Motioning to her mouth, I said, “You’ve got a little icing leftover.”
After swiping the wrong side, she asked, “Did I get it?”
With a grin, I reached up to brush the icing off with my thumb. “Got it.”
“Thanks,” Sarah replied with a smile.
Instead of wiping my finger on a napkin, I put it into my mouth. As the sweetness slid against my tongue, I smiled. “That is good.”
Sarah’s eyes flared at my declaration. “Do you want more?”
At that moment, everyone around us melted away, and it was only the two of us. For the first time, she seemed to regard me as more than just her patient. Her current expression was one usually reserved for the Beast and not me.
“Yes.”
She brought her hand with the cupcake up to my mouth. Without taking my eyes from her, I leaned over and took a bite. “Hmm,” I murmured at the spongy taste.
“So, you like it now?”
Nodding, I replied, “B-Because it’s yours.”
A rush of pink flooded her cheeks. “It’s not like I made it.”
“But it’s in your hand and in your mouth. And I’ll take whatever you have t-to give me.”
“Is that right?”
I opened my mouth to tell her it fucking was when I felt a hand clamp on my bicep. Whirling around, Sammy stood with a disapproving look on his face. “Is something wrong?”
After crossing his arms over his chest, Sammy cocked his head at me. “I need to talk to you.”
My eyes popped wide with the seriousness of his tone. “You d-do?”
“Man to man.”
“Sammy–” Sarah tried cautioning. I had to bite my lip to keep the amusement off my face.
He shook his head. “Let me handle this.” Turning back to me, he asked, “What are your intentions?”
“Excuse me?” I replied while Sarah groaned.
Jerking his chin, Sammy replied, “You heard me, Big Guy.”
I furrowed my brows. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Don’t play dumb. I saw the way you two were making kissy eyes at each other.”
Oh fuck, he was perceptive. Trying to get out as diplomatically as I could, I replied, “Sarah and I are very good friends.”
“She doesn’t look at Hudson or Archie like that.”
Even though I knew who they were, I played ignorant. Throwing a look over my shoulder, I asked, “Who are Hudson and Archie?”
“My gay best friends.”
“Ah, that might explain why she doesn’t look at t-them like me.”
“Right. They like each other, and you like her.”
Sarah closed the distance between us. “Sammy, not every boy and girl who like each other are boyfriend and girlfriend.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a baby.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. I know what I saw.”
Glancing back at me, Sarah said, “I was just being nice and giving Maksim some of my cupcake.”
“And I got off the icing on her face.”
Wagging his finger, Sammy said, “And then you two got kissy faced.”
“Sammy–” Sarah began.
He shook his head. “Since dad's sick, I'm the man of the house, and I wanna make sure he has good intentions.”
Sarah’s eyes bulged in horror. “Sammy, what has gotten into you? I’m your older sister, remember?”
“I still gotta look out for you.”
She threw an apologetic look at me. “He’s been on a really big vintage TV kick lately. You know 50’s and 60’s stuff with outdated gender norms.”
“It’s okay. Sammy just wants t-to make sure I deserve his b-big sister.”
“That’s right.”
“I think your sister is very b-beautiful, kind, and smart. I like b-being with her. But right now, we’re just g-good friends.”
Sammy eyed me suspiciously before he finally nodded. “I guess that’s okay.”
I laughed. “You do?”
“I want you guys to be more than just friends.”
“That’s nice of you.”
He grinned. “Really, I just want you guys to get married.”
At Sarah’s screech of horror, I merely grinned. “Are you ready for someone t-to finally make an honest woman out of Sarah?” I teased, which caused Sarah to playfully smack my arm.
“Huh?”
“Do you want Sarah to get married?”
Nodding, Sammy said, “Yeah, since people need to be married to have a baby.”
“Oh God,” Sarah muttered while covering her eyes.
“Why do you want Sarah to have a baby?”
“Kyle’s brother just had a baby, and I want to be an uncle, too.”
“I d-don’t blame you. I’m ready to b-be an uncle too, but none of my b-brothers or sisters are married yet.”
Sarah sucked in a harsh breath before throwing up her hands. “Okay, that’s it. This conversation is over, and we have to go.”
Frowning Sammy said, “But it’s still early.”
“It’s almost your bedtime. You have work in the morning.”
“Fine,” he grumbled.
After giving him a big hug and kiss, Sarah backed away. While I extended my hand to Sammy, he ignored it. Instead, he threw himself at me. “I really like you, Maks.”
A funny feeling criss-crossed through my chest–one I usually only felt around my brothers. “I really like you, t-too, buddy.”
As he pulled away, Sammy nodded. “Good. We’re besties now.”
With a smile tugging at my lips, I replied, “I agree.”
I glanced at Sarah, and her expression caused my chest to clench. She was staring at Sammy and me with a look of happy disbelief. I knew she had to be thinking this had never happened with any of the other men she’d brought around Sammy. And damn, if that didn’t make me feel fucking invincible.
When she caught me staring, she quickly wiped the expression from her face. She then turned away to say her goodbyes to the other guys and girls, so I fell in behind her.
After we got outside, Sarah turned to me with a genuine smile. “You really were amazing with Sammy, Maks.”
“Thanks. He’s an amazing guy. All of them are.”
“Yeah, they are.”
“I understand now why it was so important for me to allow you t-to come here.”