Before I could drop down into it, Alek, snagged me and gave me a light kiss, giving me a wink as if he could read my mind. I could feel my face heating as I said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I thought I’d give Baba a tour of the theater.”
“I don’t mind at all,” he said, returning his attention to my grandmother. “It is an honor to have you here. Even if Clara hadn’t told me you are a former star of the ballet, I can see the love of the art in your eyes.”
“It’s always held a special place in my heart,” Olga admitted, looking toward the painting on his wall. “I saw your mother perform once and never will forget the way she transported everyone in the audience with her on an incredible journey. She was not only a fabulous dancer, she had this gift that couldn’t be learned. It was an integral part of her soul. I’m so sorry her star was dimmed far too soon.”
“Thank you,” Alek said, also looking toward the painting. “Your granddaughter also has that gift.”
“She does,” my babushka replied, and I flushed with warmth though I knew she might be slightly biased because she loved me unconditionally.
I saw her flick her gaze from Alek to me and then back again. The look in her eyes told me that while she detested the last man who’d been in her presence, she completely approved of Alek. She was probably picturing our wedding, already naming our children.
As if to confirm this, she settled back in her chair, folded her hands on her lap and said, “So, Alek, tell me more about where you think our girl is going with all this hard work she’s been putting in. Getting any information from her is like pulling her teeth. What do you think?”
Alek chuckled but didn’t correct her on the phrasing of the idiom. He was far too polite a man to do so. Instead, he settled his hip against the desk where he’d splayed me bare and fell into conversation with my grandmother.
While they talked about ballet in general, as well as my chances at reclaiming the title of prima ballerina, I sat back in my chair with a smile on my face. This was the sort of thing I’d always wanted in my life. A strong family around me. I had only ever really had my grandmother as she’d lost her husband in the Soviet-Afghan war before I was born. My father had never been in the picture and because of that, I wanted more for myself. I wanted a husband who loved my grandmother, kids running around the place, noise, chaos, and fun. Much as I had tried not to think too much about that picture of perfection for a very long time, it was floating back to the surface right now, with Alek at the front and center of that dream.
Of course, that vision had dimmed significantly with the appearance of a ghost from my past.
Ghost? No, Clara, a ghost might haunt your nightmares, but you awaken. Don’t attempt to fool yourself into thinking Nikolai isn’t flesh and blood.
As much as I hated it, the voice was right. What the hell had I been thinking? I couldn’t even begin to imagine a true future with Alek when I had yet to truly be free of a past that could destroy every dream I had. For all I knew, there was a shiny silver car outside, the driver watching… waiting for the right moment to swoop in and teach me another lesson.
“We better get going.” When both of them turned to me, I realized my words had come out far more clipped and desperate sounding than I’d meant. “I’m sorry, it’s just that it’s Friday night, and you know how crowded Johnny Reds will be…”
Thankfully, my grandmother saved me from making a complete fool of myself. Smiling, she looked up at Alek. “My granddaughter is taking me out for dinner. Not going to miss a chance at stuffing myself on their famous cheddar biscuits. They aren’t anywhere near as good as your Pavlova, but they are a close second. It was lovely to see you again, Alek.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Babka. Next time, I hope you can stay longer. I’d love to show you the rest of the theater,” Alek said, straightening and offering her his arm.
I watched, my heart actually hurting when I saw my fragile grandmother take it and slowly pull herself up out of the chair, but it also filled me with even more determination. She’d suffered enough and had carried burdens she didn’t deserve because of me. If it took my last breath, I was going to make damn sure Nikolai didn’t ruin the chance of my grandmother finally getting relief from her pain.