“Wow, I would never have expected that. You’re so beautiful. It’s amazing you ever thought you were unattractive.” Her smile prompted him to go on. “Maybe that’s what makes you so special. For such a beautiful woman, you’re very humble and unpretentious. Your inner beauty is as lovely as the outside. In other words, you’re perfect for me.”
Anya flashed a big smile. “Wow, thanks. Let’s hope we have many dinners like this over the years,” and lifted her glass to toast their future together.
As their glasses touched Peter couldn’t help wondering if continuing their relationship was right. He was definitely falling for her, and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. But his heart was bursting with feelings he had never experienced. Their nights together in her hotel room were more like actually making love than just having sex. He wanted to continue to tap into that and get closer to her soul. He would have to make a decision on their relationship, but tonight was not the night.
They sat in comfortable silence, staring at each other. Finally Peter spoke up. “I would have never thought we would be sitting like this after our encounter in D.C.”
Anya gave a small nod.
“When you first walked into our dining room I noticed you right away. You practically took my breath away. I especially remember those sexy black boots.”
With a suggestive look, Anya leaned over the table. “I have those black boots back at the hotel. Maybe I can wear them for you tonight.”
Peter grinned, “Yeah, just the boots?”
She smiled, taking a sip of her champagne.
Peter continued, “One funny thing about D.C. was how I attempted to give you a hug a couple of times, but each time you blew me off. It definitely seemed like you weren’t interested, which to be honest, kind of enticed me.”
Anya laughed. “Good, because it was all show, just for you. The last time we saw each other I was almost sixteen and had a big crush on you. You were this handsome college graduate who barely noticed me. In De Luca’s I decided to act the opposite, tease you a little, pretending I wasn’t interested. But believe me, I was. That’s why we went there in the first place. Dmitri told me you two were meeting there for dinner, and I had to come by. I wanted to check you out, and I have to say, I was pleased with what I saw. I also wanted to show you how I had grown up. Dean was all upset with me for dragging him across town that night. He complained the whole way. I just said my brother highly recommended the restaurant and I wanted to try it.”
Peter said, “Well, you sure did grow up. I can’t tell you how shocked I was when Dmitri introduced you and asked if I remembered his little sister. In my head I was remembering back to that teenage girl, yet standing in front of me was this beautiful grown woman. I couldn’t believe it.”
She smiled and elevated her glass symbolizing an imaginary toast before taking a sip.
“So what was the story with Dean?” asked Peter.
“Believe it or not, he was my first boyfriend, my first love. Back in Russia, I never really dated. When I went to Georgetown, it was all about studying, and Dean was one of my lab partners. After working together for months, he finally asked me out. Before I knew it, we were living together. But something never felt right. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I guess you could say we weren’t soul mates.” She said the last with a twinkle in her eye. “He asked me to marry him, and though I never felt it was quite right, I still said ‘Yes.’ For me, the relationship was comfortable and besides, I was very much involved in my work. Neither one of us wanted to quit our jobs and move, so for years we just went along being engaged and living in different countries—not very practical, but safe. After Mama died, I started questioning our relationship. I saw how much my dad loved my mom, and how crushed he was when she died. I did not have that same connection with Dean. I was missing something.”
“Lucky for me,” said Peter, doing an imaginary toast. “Your mom was a sweet lady. I’m sure it’s been tough on your whole family, especially your dad. He always mentions her during training. In fact, I catch him mumbling to himself, and whenever I ask, he always answers the same way, ‘I talk to Maria.’ I can tell he loved her deeply.”
“They were perfect together. Nana has been miserable ever since she left. That’s why this mission is so great for him. I can’t tell you how pleased I am you selected him. I haven’t seen him this cheerful and energetic for years. He’s acting like he’s fifty years old again. It’s been wonderful to witness.” She paused for a second. “Thanks, Peter.”
Reminded of the specter of death hanging over the mission, Peter answered somberly, “You’re welcome.”
20
THE DECISION
Peter was falling in love and the depth of his connection to Anya scared him. Not because it was the first time he had felt this strongly for a woman, but because he didn’t want to break her heart. Every time he woke up next to Anya and felt the softness of her skin, his emotions shook and rattled like ice cubes dancing in a glass. Should he end their relationship?
They had a wonderful couple of weeks together while finishing his training at SpaceQuest. They spent every free minute together, and Peter treasured every moment, especially the nights back at her hotel, filing each into his memory bank to reflect on during the mission. He could tell Anya was falling in love too, though neither of them had actually said the words. She was everything he wanted in a woman—bright, fun, loving, classy, and damn hot. Why did they have to find each other only weeks before he was to die?
Peter was happy with his and Viktor’s training at SpaceQuest; they both had mastered what they needed to. With Rob’s help, Peter was clocked consistently at nineteen minutes inputting the MK laser codes, beating the drop dead time of twenty. The team also figured out how to modify the Soyuz in less than two days, improving their chances of beating China to the moon.
Peter was feeling confident about the mission, but had a heavy heart concerning how to handle his relationship with Anya. She was scheduled to fly back to Russia at the same time he was flying to Florida. With their training completed in Los Angeles, the two men were eager to transfer to the Cape for final launch preparations. Peter decided to stop off in Houston on the way to see his mom one last time while Viktor flew straight to Florida. Anya mentioned she had reasons to go to Houston and suggested meeting Peter there. She said it would be nice visiting his mom with him. Peter liked the idea and felt it would allow them a little more time together, as well as give him an extra day to decide what to do. Anya was to arrive in Houston earlier in the day for a meeting at NASA’s Johnson Space Center before Peter would fly in to Hobby Airport and pick her up.
The next twenty-four hours were going to be difficult. Peter was going to see his mom for the last time, and possibly Anya. He informed Anya he thought it was best not to discuss the details of the mission with his mother, especially since it was a top secret operation. She understood.
But what should he do with his relationship with Anya? Part of him wanted to continue it and hopefully get her out to the Cape before they launched. The other side felt it was best if he ended the relationship now, but would breaking up hurt her more? Peter was torn. If they continued seeing each other, Anya could end up resenting him for not telling her the mission’s true outcome, and possibly blame him for her father’s death. It was going to be an emotional trip no matter what he decided. Right now, these two ladies were the most important people in his life. He loved them both.