Page 88 of Volik

Volik lets out a deep sigh, then he gently grips my face, holding my head still, as he presses a kiss to my forehead.

I keep my eyes narrowed at him, for playing dirty, as he steps over to the side of the hall and picks up the breakfast he brought me.

Then he does that speedy thing, where he’s standing back in front of me in an instant.

“I want to know how you do that.”

“I will tell you.” He hands me the little box, and I swear the logo is from the same bakery I stopped at yesterday.

I hold my hand out for the coffee, but instead of giving it to me, he holds the paper cup between his palms.

“What are you doing?”

Volik doesn’t answer right away. Then he blinks and lets loose a devilish smile.

“I heated it up.” He holds the cup out for me.

I stare at him. “You did what?”

He pushes the cup into my empty hand. “Go teach. We will talk tonight.”

I take the cup, pretend it isn’t insane that he just heated my coffee with his hands, then stride back into my lecture hall.

It’s silent as I cross the room.

Silent as I set my coffee and what I suspect is a breakfast cupcake on my desk.

It remains silent as I take a breath.

I might not be willing to just blindly jump headfirst into whatever is forming between Volik and me. But I’m aware enough to know that something is forming.

I can feel the weight of it inside my rib cage.

I can feel the steady beat of it in my heart.

Thinking about that same beat inside Volik’s chest, I turn to the class.

Whatever this is, it’s a big deal.

Huge.

Global news.

And that means I can’t show any of my hesitancy.

Not now.

Not ever.

I lean back against my desk and lift my chin. “Anyone who is not on the official attendance list, I appreciate your eagerness to learn, but it’s time for you to leave.”

There are a few snickers.

A few disappointed exhales.

But, one by one, about half the students stand from their chairs and start down the steps toward the front of the room.

A blur moves past the open doorway before the first student exits, and I inhale the scent of fresh mint.