Page 123 of The Scientist
I stood over my newly planted garden, dusting my hands off on my pants as I took it all in… It was perfect. Granted, it would never find its way onto the cover ofBetter Homes and Gardens, but I was still proud of the work I’d done. As I watched thetall stalks and delicate, airy petals of the larkspur fluttering and dancing in the breeze, an idea suddenly came to me.
I pulled out my phone and did some research for a few minutes before I went next door and asked Professor Dunbar if he had the number for the only other Russian professor I knew besides Lex—Professor Anna Sokolov. Luckily, he had access to the directory, and I was able to get in touch with her.
Lex got home earlier than I thought he would, but thankfully, I’d finished just in time. I answered the door to see him holding a very large box as he walked inside.
“What do you have there?” I asked.
“It’s an air mattress,” he explained. “I stopped on my way home to pick it up so you don’t have to sleep on the ground tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “You’re too good to me,” I said, closing the door behind him.
He smiled and kissed me lightly on the lips before putting the box down.
“What’s that?” he asked, noticing the smell coming from the kitchen.
“I made something for you,” I said excitedly. “Sit here. It’s a surprise.” I pointed to the chair at the dining room table. He smiled curiously and sat down like I’d asked.
I went into the kitchen and made us both a bowl before coming back to the dining room and placing it in front of him.
He looked down, and his eyes went wide with surprise.
“You made borscht?” His tone was incredulous.
“Yes,” I answered, praying it turned out okay. I didn’t have a chance to try it. “I mean, I had help. Professor Sokolov gave me some pointers.” I was so nervous he wouldn’t like it, so I continued to ramble. “I know it’s probably nowhere near as good as your mom’s, but I know how much you’ve been missing her and home and well… I hope it’s okay.”
Most of the reviews of borscht recipes I’d found online said they weren’t authentic, which is why I called Professor Sokolov. I wanted to get it as close to a traditional Russian borscht as possible.
“Hadley, I…” His expression was unreadable.
Anxiety filled me. “What is it? Does it not look right? I did exactly what she said.”
He stood, taking my face in his hands, and started kissing me until I felt like putty in his arms. I fought to think rationally.
“Wait!” I said, finally coming to my senses. I backed out of his arms. “I worked on this for three hours. You have to at least try it before it gets cold or turns to crap.”
“I don’t want to wait,” he said, reaching for me. “And I don’t care if it tastes like shit either. It would still be one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me, and all I can think about is being inside you right now.”
He stalked toward me, his eyes bright with humor. I yelped and ran around the kitchen table, trying to give myself space to think, because his words sent heat waves straight through me.
“There will be time for that after.” I giggled as he continued stalking me around the table. I put a chair in his path to stop him. “And it won’t taste like shit. Sit down and try it.”
“Fine, fine.” He put his hands up in mock surrender.
“And no funny business, mister,” I chastised. “I’m easily distracted when it comes to you and those hands, so keep them to yourself until we’re done.”
He laughed, but finally complied and sat down. I watched his perfect lips close around that first bite as I stared at him like a dog in a window watching cars go by.
His eyes closed for a brief moment before he looked up. “Tastes exactly like home,” he hummed. “It’s amazing, Hadley. Truly.”
I tried it for myself and decided he wasn’t lying. It really was good. I mentally patted myself on the back for pulling it off.
“This is the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me,” he said, voice raw, eyes shining with sincerity. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve your kindness, but I’m grateful, nonetheless.”
I smiled. “A little education and a great amount of kindness is what is required if we are to secure harmony in this life and the lives of those who will come after us…”
His eyes widened. “You remembered my speech.” He appeared touched.
“I thought it was incredible. I thoughtyouwere incredible. I could have listened to you speak all night.”