Taking a risk for love
It all started when I turned around — and there he was. Stas. I hadn’t seen Zhanna’s brother in years, but wow, time had been kind to him. He smiled, and it was the kind of smile that makes you forget how to speak.
‘Hi,’ Stas said in his relaxed voice, as if he hadn’t just destroyed my inner peace.
‘Hi,’ I managed to say.
Well done, Olya. Just brilliant.
‘Zhanna said you’d be here.’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘I hope I’m not disturbing you.’
Zhanna glanced at him.
‘She’s not here to be disturbed, Stas.’
‘Who said I was disturbing her?’ he replied, throwing up his hands in feigned surrender, although his eyes were dancing with mischief.
‘It’s fine,’ I said quickly, feeling like a teenager again. ‘Really. You’re not bothering me.’
‘All right. See you around.’
When he left, Jeanne nudged me with her elbow.
‘He’s single, you know.’
I groaned.
‘Oh no. Let’s not go there.’
She laughed and poured me another glass of wine.
‘Just be open to new things. That’s all I’m saying.’
I glanced at the door behind which he had just disappeared.
‘I came here to escape, not to… complicate things.’
‘Complications make life interesting,’ Jeanne sang.
I raised my glass.
‘I hope you’re wrong.’
But deep down, I knew I wasn’t.
Quiet days, confused feelings
The next few days were quiet. The three of us sat outside in the evenings, talking about life, laughing at silly memories. I found myself enjoying this simplicity.
Stas didn’t try to be charming — he was just himself: calm, relaxed, and for some reason, his manner of speaking strangely calmed me.
He and Zhanna had that natural brother-sister bond — they teased each other about little things, but it was clear that they were full of love and care.
One evening after dinner, Stas leaned back in his chair and looked at me.
‘Listen, how about we go out for dinner somewhere tomorrow? Just you and me?’
I blinked.
‘Dinner? Tomorrow?’
‘Yeah. I thought, why not change things up a bit?’
I looked at Zhanna. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly amused by the situation.
‘Um… yes. Sure. Why not?’ I finally said, a little flustered.
‘Great,’ said Stas, standing up as if he had just suggested having coffee. ‘I’ll pick you up at seven.’
When he left, I turned to Jeanne, who was smirking.
‘What?’ I asked, feeling my cheeks burn.
‘Nothing,’ she said, still smiling. ‘It’s just… Stas doesn’t usually ask anyone out on dates. This is something new.’
I frowned.
‘And that’s supposed to reassure me?’
She laughed.
‘Relax, Ol. He likes you. That’s a good thing.’
‘Maybe,’ I muttered. But even then, I couldn’t help wondering if I had agreed to something much more complicated than I was ready for.
Dinner… and a surprise
Everything seemed perfect at the restaurant — delicious food, a cosy atmosphere, Stas being himself. We laughed and chatted about everything and nothing. I began to feel more and more comfortable with him.
Then his phone vibrated.
At first, he ignored it. Then it vibrated again. And again.
‘Sorry, I’ll be right back,’ he said and went outside.
What could be so urgent?
I tried to enjoy my meal, but my gaze kept returning to the door. When he came back, he smiled as if nothing had happened.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yes, just something work-related,’ he replied casually.
But it happened again during dessert. He apologised and left again.
I couldn’t sit still any longer. I got up and quietly followed him… only to see him in lively conversation with another woman.
Who was she?
They noticed me. Stas looked surprised.
‘Oh, Olya, this is Larisa,’ he said after a pause. ‘My ex-wife.’
I didn’t know what to say. Larisa smiled, completely at ease.
‘You two should come over for dinner tomorrow,’ she said.
Before I even had time to think about refusing,
Stas… agreed.
Later, he tried to reassure me.
‘It doesn’t mean anything. It’s all in the past. Dinner is just a nice idea,’ he said with his calm, reassuring smile.
I was stunned. Dinner with his ex? Seriously?
But I had no good reason to refuse. He seemed so relaxed, as if it were no big deal, and I didn’t want to appear jealous or insecure.
An awkward dinner
From the very beginning, dinner with Stas and Larisa was uncomfortable. Larisa wasted no time in making herself at home, sitting too close to Stas for my liking.
‘Do you remember that trip to the beach?’ Larisa began, her voice tinged with nostalgia. ‘We were such a perfect couple back then. Everyone thought we’d be together forever.’
She laughed, moving even closer. I shifted in my chair, trying to stay calm.
She was clearly playing on my nerves, but I wasn’t going to let her win. Stas hardly responded, getting by with short, polite phrases.
‘Yes, that was a long time ago,’ he said with a bored look.
But I’d had enough. I pushed my chair back and stood up.
‘I’m going out for some fresh air,’ I muttered and left without waiting for a reply.