"You're going inside," Olek said firmly. "You need to rest."
"But Shanice's dinner?—"
"Will still happen." Olek looked at Mikhail. "You'll still take her?"
Mikhail nodded without hesitation. "Of course."
"No, it's fine," I said quickly, already reaching for the door handle. "We can reschedule. Katrina should rest."
Katrina grabbed my hand through the open door. "Don't you dare. You deserve this celebration. And I'll make it up to you, I promise. Girls' day next weekend, just us."
"But—"
"Shanice." She squeezed my hand. "Go. Have fun. Eat something amazing for me since I apparently can't keep anything down right now."
Olek guided her toward the house, and I watched them go, uncertainty churning in my gut.
"We don't have to do this," I said to Mikhail.
He was already sliding into the driver's seat. "Yes, we do."
"Mikhail—"
"You look too good not to go out." He started the engine, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. "And you deserve to celebrate. First day at school, and you killed it."
"I sat through two classes."
"And you didn't let fear keep you home. That's worth celebrating." He pulled out of the driveway. "Besides, I know the perfect spot."
I settled back into my seat, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach that had nothing to do with hunger. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a restaurant right on the water. The sign readCaptain's Catchin worn blue letters, and through the windows I could see exposed brick, warm lighting, and a beautiful view of the harbor.
"Seafood," I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.
Mikhail glanced back at me, something soft in his expression. "Your favorite, right?"
"How did you know that?"
"I pay attention." He got out and opened my door, offering his hand.
I was beginning to think that he paid too much damn attention.
I took his hand, letting him help me out. His palm was warm and rough against mine, and he didn't let go immediately. Yeah, I now had an idea of what his hands would feel like on other parts of me.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you fed." He gave me his arm, and I took it, linking ours together. It felt right with him leading the way, and when we got to the door, he opened it.
I missed the warmth of his body immediately, but continued inside anyway. The hostess seated us at a table by the window overlooking the water. The sun was setting, painting everything in shades of orange and pink. It was beautiful.
"This place is amazing," I said, looking around. "How did you find it?"
"I have my ways." Mikhail opened his menu. "Order whatever you want. And I mean whatever. Don't even look at the prices."
"Mikhail, this place is expensive.” I could tell from the ambiance. I didn’t even want to guess how much anything was in here.
"I don't care. You're celebrating. So celebrate." He met my eyes over the top of his menu. "Please."
