Easy. Alluringly so.
Look at you having such an intense discussion in your head. He began to eat again.
She could have told him it was too risky. His cousin was now living in her house. Utterly besotted with her sister who adored him right back. Vic also happened to be close as brothers with Alexsei so if things went very badly between them it would impact pretty much every aspect of their lives. His parents lived next door, along with his sister. He only lived half a block up. They saw one another at the various events the bakery had booths at, as well as at the barbershop Alexsei owned and Maybe worked at too. Which was four minutes door-to-door from the tattoo shop Rachel worked at.
But she didnt say any of it. Because he knew all that already.
Its just dinner. We can work our way up from there. If you were going to try to talk yourself out of it, you should have done it earlier, he added.
Youre right. She snapped free of her internal argument and snorted. Fine. I just want to be sure youre going into this realizing what youre doing.
I always know what Im doing, Rachel. Im deliberate. I always have been. Ive wanted to go out with you for quite a long time, he said in an infuriatingly calm voice.
She tore off a piece of toast and jammed it into her mouth, chewing a while before finally asking the question thatd been nagging at her. So why now? What changed from yesterday? Or the day before?
She couldnt deal with pity. Not from him.
I let you have yesterday because after that fuckery on Sunday you needed a break. I also knew you and Maybe took the day off to hang out and I left you alone. But Sunday is when I knew. Ill give you all the reasons why when youre ready to hear them.
When Im ready to hear them?
Thats what I said. Tell me, how is work? he asked, changing the subject. She began to demand he tell her but hesitated.
Busy. Lots of people like to get ink around Valentines Day.
Romantic gestures theyll have to get covered up in a year?
I thought I was jaded, she said.
He blushed and she couldnt help the way it moved her.
Im not jaded. I can see the appeal of getting ink for your sweetheart. I know several people with horror stories, but theyd have horror stories either way, I suppose. The bakery does a brisk business for Valentines Day too. This year Evie is making heart-shaped vatrushka and she uses strawberry in the center.
Oooh! Did you bring one of those? It doesnt have to be shaped like a heart as its already a pastry and Id just eat it anyway.
I didnt. For our second date, Ill bring you some to go with the roses.
That the normally easygoing Vic was coming back to the second date thing clued her in to the fact that he also could be like a dog with a bone when it came to getting what he wanted.
Damn it. Every second that passed he just got sexier.
Thankfully, since she wanted it too.
The moment stretched out between them as they finished brunch. Rachel tried not to jump up to clear off the table and clean the kitchen, telling him since he cooked shed clean. It gave her some physical space and something to do while she processed the way he made her feel.
Vic eased back, watching her. Giving her silence but not taking his focus away. Once hed fully stepped into her world, he apparently wasnt going anywhere.
Which, she had to admit, was a nice thing. She wanted to be wary of it. Look for ulterior motives. But...he wasnt that guy.
Ready to go? I took what I needed to drop off next door on the way here so I can take you straight in. My mom isnt home or Id take you over there first, he added.
Really? A flush of happiness hit that Irena wanted to see her and say hello. Vics mom had become more and more involved in the lives of the Dolan sisters.
Actually, it was more that Rachel and Maybe had been involved in their lives. The Orlovs and their wonderful, giant, loud family whod begun to treat them as if they were family too.
Yes, really. She likes you and Maybe. You listen to her stories and let her teach you things in her kitchen. That means a lot to her.
It was totally mutual. Being able to hang out in Irenas kitchen had been a reasonably new experience in her life. Rachel loved it there. Vics mom knew so much about so many things and was always happy to share her expertise. She was hilarious and nurturing and in general, a lot of fun.
Its the other way around. Shes always so patient even when Im terrible at something. Rachel grabbed her things and made one last check to be sure the stove was turned off before they headed out.
Vic said, as they reached her front door, Its what moms do. It must have been her snort in response because he paused and then said, What they should do.
Even though hed reassured her that she had nothing to apologize for after that scene with her parents, it still embarrassed her that hed witnessed it.
She used the excuse of locking her door to get herself together again. But when she turned, he was there, a hand out to stay her.
Wait, he murmured as he bent to zip her coat. Dont want you getting cold.
It was so unexpectedly sweet it knocked her off balance a moment. Thanks, she managed to say right before he gave her a quick kiss. Right there on her front porch.
His hand, warm and sure, sat at the small of her back as he steered her to his car and opened the door for her.
On the way to the south end of downtown that made up Pioneer Square, where Ink Sisters was located, she could have told him she didnt need a ride to work. She could have driven. She could take the bus and still make it on time.
But the truth was, she wanted to spend more time with him. He smelled good and it was really cold and parking was expensive.
And she wanted to be able to be honest about her life with someone other than Maybe and their best friend, Cora.
He lightened her mood just by being around. Accepted her without expectations that felt like a burden.
If it helps any, my mother is bossy and nosy and insufferably meddlesome sometimes, Vic told her, surprising a laugh from her lips.
It used to feel sort of rusty when she laughed. Like an old hinge on a door not often used. But it didnt feel like an act to laugh with him, didnt feel unnatural to guffaw or snicker.
I may have noticed that a few times, Rachel told him, deadpan.
* * *
HE DUG HER sense of humor. Dry and sarcastic with a sense of darkness he undeniably clicked with.
What time do you get off tomorrow? For our date. He figured it was time for another pass at nailing down details.
She blushed, ducking her head slightly so her hair slid to partially screen her face. Tomorrow is Wednesday so Ill be done by seven.
Ill drop by the shop at seven, then, to pick you up. Ill drive you home and then you can come to my house when youre ready.
Im fairly sure you must have gotten this bossiness from your mother. I can just get home and meet you after that. Or we could go straight to dinner from Ink Sisters.
I know you can. Ill pick you up at seven tomorrow night but Im sure Ill see you before that. He hoped.
He pulled to a stop in the loading zone in front of the shop.