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“Point well made.”
After just a few minutes, Andrei opened Ms. Jackson’s door and offered her his hand. “Oh! And a gentleman to boot! Your mama must be so proud.”
I didn’t even have to see his face to know that he was blushing. Adrik opened his door. Stepping out, he turned and offered his hand to me. I smiled and took his hand as he helped me out of the vehicle. Once I was standing, he pulled me close and planted a very quick kiss on my lips. I looked at him, wide-eyed. He just winked at me and walked toward the store, with me in tow.
We got Ms. Jackson’s shopping completed quickly. Andrei followed her around dutifully. Viktor was roaming the store, while Ivan, Misha, and Stephen kept an eye on the parking lot. Adrik would only let go of my hand if necessary. Otherwise, he seemed happy enough to simply follow me around while I helped my neighbor stock up for the week.
When we got back to Ms. Jackson’s apartment, she looked at Andrei and Adrik and asked, “Gentlemen, would it be possible for me to have a moment alone with Miss Sephie?”
They both nodded. Adrik looked at me and said, “We’ll be right outside.”
As soon as the door closed, Ms. Jackson took each of my hands in hers and looked up at me. “Child, do you know that man is in love with you?”
“What? No. We just met. Literally. Like two days ago.”
“No, dear. Can you not see the way he looks at you?”
“Well, I mean, yeah, but it doesn’t mean he’s in love with me.”
“He calls you solnishko.”
“They all call me different Russian words. I have no idea what any of them mean. They could be calling me a bitch for all I know.”
She scoffed. “Hardly. Russian men are not known for terms of endearment, so the fact that he’s calling you his ‘little sun’ only days after meeting you means he’s head over heels for you. What else does he call you?”
“Little sun? I don’t get it,” I said shaking my head.
“It’s one of like five terms of endearment for a significant other in Russian. They’re not a sentimental people. What else?”
“I think he called me sladkaya once.”
“I rest my case. He’s smitten. What do the other men call you?”
“Well, just Viktor and Andrei. Misha and Ivan aren’t as chatty, although Ivan did call me a princess when I stitched him up this morning. Viktor and Andrei have both called me sestrichka a couple of times.”
“Lord, they’re all in love with you.”
“No way, Ms. Jackson. You’re being silly. What does it mean? And how do you know Russian?”
“It’s a pet name for a little sister, but again, only reserved for very special women,” she said. “And as for me knowing Russian, well, I spent time there during the Cold War.” She sighed, and added very matter-of-factly, “I was spying on the Russians while they thought I was feeding them information on the Americans.”
“What? How have you never told me you were such a badass before??” I gasped, “Is that how you know how to stitch people up? Did I really learn how to do that from a legit spy? You told me you were a nurse!”
She laughed. “Well, I was technically a nurse too. After I came back, I went into nursing. Being a spy is hard on a girl.” She sighed. Again, lost in her memories. “That was a long time ago, honey. But you need to know that you are the light to that man’s dark. You are living up to your namesake, dear child,” she said as she reached up and patted my cheek.
“I don’t think I understand.”
“Adrik. It means dark. When he calls you solnishko, he’s telling you that you are the light in his dark world.”
I sighed. “I don’t…I don’t know what to say.”
She smiled at me. “You don’t have to say anything, dear. You just have to continue to be yourself. How long have I been telling you now that you’re a special girl? You never believed me, but it doesn’t make it any less true. My wish for you is that you’ll let that man show you how special you are.”
“Ms. Jackson…” I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.
“Hush, child. You deserve every bit of the kingdom that man can give you. Just promise me you’ll keep the eye candy around for me to appreciate.”
“I promise I’ll make the Bingo escort happen.”
