We met at the market, as I needed to buy groceries eventually. I had been snacking on dried fruits, leftovers from the wedding banquet, or gifted foods from my family’s acquaintances.
“So when will you host as a couple?” She poked my arm. “It would be nice to meet the mystery man my best friend ran off with.”
I shrugged. “Whenever he is home long enough to receive something other than a cigarette.”
“Cheer up, it only means more time to yourself.” Lorelei looped her arm in mine as we walked beside the bins of produce.
The weather was cheerier than usual, the sun strong enough to burn through the typical gloomy clouds, uncovering the expanse of blue that hid away all season.
Crowds ebbed and flowed like an ocean tide through the market. Couples strolled arm in arm, gatherings of women looked on at their leisure, and children ran between the passersby.
Our argument from before never resurfaced, but I knew she hadn’t heeded my warning. It didn’t take an inspector general to see that she had a new hat peaked with exotic feathers, lambskin gloves, and a perfume that stung the nose despite only using a few drops. Such luxuries were impossible to afford, especially for a woman with no career, husband, or family worth noting.
I promised myself today that I would not stress, and that included all matters of Lorelei that were none of my business. Even so, I worried for her. No, it made meangryfor her. But, again, it was no affair of mine—something I struggled to remember.
The rest of the hour was plain. Useless small talk about the quality of the fruit in season and how the weather forecast might affect next week’s goods. Incredibly menial, peaceful. No conversations that may burden the mind, no effort to exhaust the social senses.
Among the bustling people, you could disappear and become just another face. Two women clothed in expensive shades of fabric picked at apples in carts. A man in a rugged smock rearranged large fruit to pass the time. Two men laughed together in front of a stand, leaning up on it as they puffed cigars together.
Then a shock struck me. It wasArkady.
I nearly didn’t recognize him. Not because he was dressed differently or because he was more cleaned up. No, I didn’t recognize him because his smile was genuine and his laugh was melodic, joyful. He wasn’t even dressed properly. No jacket, sleeves rolled to his elbows, clay covering his hands, arms, stained on his shirt and tan pants. He had a bit smeared on his cheek as well.
I watched his mouth move and form words from a distance, but I couldn’t make out what they were talking about. He seemed warm in the light, details that were lost in the dark now on full display ... like the freckle beside his eye on his cheekbone, the way you could see veinsalong the muscles of his forearms, or the green of his eyes alight like spring maple leaves instead of dark like pine.
The sharp dimple of his cheek flashed as he cocked his head, raising an inquisitive brow at his friend as he lowered his mouth to the cigar, puffing it before tilting his head back. As he blew out the smoke, his gaze snapped to the side, catching me in his peripheral vision.
“We should go.” I tugged Lorelei in the opposite direction.
“But we still have the rest of the market!”
“Petronille!” Arkady’s voice called from behind us.
I froze, my shoulders tensing as I looked over my shoulder.
“What a pleasant surprise.” He smiled, acknowledging Lorelei. “I see this is a good time for friendly introductions.”
Lorelei couldn’t hide her grin and held out her hand. “Lorelei Hertz.I’ve heard so much, yet so little, about my dearest friend’s new husband,” she said, flashing me a giddy look.
Arkady took her hand, kissing her gloved knuckle before a smile tugged again.
“Konstantin”—he gestured to me—“this is Petronille, my wife, Petronille.”
Wife.
I held my hand up. The stocky blond man smiled, his cheeks holding a fullness that made you want to pinch them. The type who probably gave good hugs and was kind to children.
He took my hand. “Ah, the elusive Mrs.Kameneva.” He chuckled, kissing my hand. “It is a true pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise.” I pulled a tight smile, glancing at Arkady.
For a moment, his mask was off, his expression cold and distant. But that didn’t matter, as no one was looking. When the other two looked toward him, the warmth returned to his demeanor like honey melting through a simmer pot.
“I will take our paths crossing as a sign that it may be time to return home, don’t you think?” Arkady looked at me, with a slight twitch of his brow.
“Yes.” I winced.
“Well, I’ll come by tomorrow anyway.” Lorelei smirked, pulling me into a departing hug. “Wedefinitelyhave a lot to talk about.”
