Episode 34

Naomi

One week later

I turned in different directions in front of the mirror, checking my outfit.

“I think it’s great,” Katarina said, her legs swinging as she sat on the side of the bed. “You look great. More than great, actually. You look hot.”

“Gavrushka will not be able to keep his hands off you,” Aleksandra added, winking. “Not that I think he ever had a problem with that.”

I blushed as I turned to the two younger girls. They weren’t far off from the truth. Despite my cold one-on-one meeting with Maria, my time in Russia had been nothing but amazing. Gavril was incredibly attentive, taking me on boat rides with just the two of us or taking me out to dinner so that I could see more of his home city.

And St. Petersburg was truly a beautiful city. Growing up, I had imagined all of Russia to be a dreary, gray place. But Gavril had shown me a city that was vibrant and alive. And under his watchful eye and careful guidance, I could almost have believed that we were in America.

Tonight,