"We are both in trouble now," Anton says, amused. "I will leave you to sort this out." I hear the snow crunch beneath his feet as he leaves.
"I can take care of myself," I murmur then curse myself. I wanted to come across friendlier than I have been in the hopes there's something between us on Petr's end, too.
"I'm aware." He chuckles. He draws abreast of me, and I sneak a glance up at him. His hands are in his pockets, or I'd be debating whether or not I should take his hand the way he did mine last time I was here.
Come to think of it, I have no clue how to tell him I'm interested and that the past and danger I never revealed to him in the first place is no longer an issue. My euphoria at the chance of an us quickly turns into anxiety and uncertainty when I realize I don't know how it's going to happen when I put so many roadblocks between us.
"Glad you made it," he says.
"Thanks."
"I kinda thought might not come."
I sigh. "I know. I'm a jerk."
He chuckles. "Never. But you are stubborn."
"For a good cause," I retort coolly and give him a look.
"I know." He's smiling down at me with warmth that melts my insides.
If I want to take a chance on him, I can. I do but am paralyzed. I don't even know how to begin.
"Petr?" a woman's voice comes from behind us. "Is this the girl Baba keeps talking about?"
We both turn to face the gorgeous brunette with Petr's eyes. I recognize his sister, Katya, from her pictures. She's eyeing me like I'm some sort of new species of reindeer. Trailing her, hand in hand, is a handsome man with chiseled features, a high and tight and dark hair, whose assessment of me is briefer, cooler.
"How long have you been seeing each other?" Katya asks with the territorial edge of a protective sister.
"Seven weeks," Petr answers.
"We're not," I reply simultaneously.
Katya crosses her arms and looks between us. "What does that mean?"
"It means it's none of our business, baby," her husband replies softly and wraps an arm around her. There's amusement deep in his gaze, and he's looking at Petr curiously. "I'm Sawyer. This is Katya," he says and stretches an arm towards me.
"Claudia." I shake his hand.
Katya looks ready to say something else, thinks better of it, and rests her head back on her husband's shoulder.
The quiet is awkward, and my face grows warm. Do I read anything into Petr's claim we've been somewhat of a something or … is he teasing his sister?