“I recognize you from your photos,” Kim said as she held her hand out to Viktor. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m Kim.”
“Yes. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Viktor said. He stepped aside so she could come in and then shut the door behind her.
Amanda came out of the kitchen to greet her and gave her a hug.
“Do you need any help?” Kim offered.
“No, I’m all set. If you want to have some wine ...” She looked over at Viktor who took that as his cue to open a bottle. “I have cheese and crackers.”
Amanda retrieved the platter from the kitchen and set it on the dining table. She snuck a piece of cheese before returning to watch the food on the stove.
Sam arrived next with his wife and daughter. His wife, Rachel, was stunningly beautiful with green eyes and light brown hair with blonde highlights. She was warm, outgoing and gregarious while Sam was more sedate and laid back. Their daughter was 10 with the energy of 1000 puppies. She had fair skin with curly, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes that almost looked black. She immediately dove into the cheese prompting warnings from her parents to only have a few pieces so she wouldn’t spoil her dinner.
A couple arrived next, Jeremy and Delores. He was tall and well-built with brown hair and brown eyes and she was a petite Puerto Rican with super curly, black hair that looked like it weighed as much as she did.
Jeremy was the king of corny. He was always using puns and telling purposefully bad jokes. Delores was super sweet and always laughed at her husband's jokes no matter how terrible they were.
The last person to arrive was Amanda’s friend Kamille. She was dressed up in a skirt and bright green blouse that complimented her dark skin and brown eyes. Both avid coffee lovers, Amanda and Kamille would often get into lively, playful arguments over what kind of coffee drink their skin tones matched. Kamille would tease Amanda, saying she looked like a cappuccino, making reference to the white foamy milk on top and in turn, Amanda would say Kamille looked like hot chocolate just to be contrary.
She warmly greeted Viktor and then apologized for being late. “I’m so sorry. I got out of work so late, I was worried I wouldn’t make it. I didn’t even have time to change.”
“You’re fine,” Amanda assured her. “I’m glad you could make it. Dinner is almost ready. Have a glass of wine and relax.”
Viktor helped Amanda set the table and carved up the chicken. They called everyone over as they set the last of the food on the table.
“Everything looks amazing!” Rachel exclaimed.
“Wow, what a spread,” Sam remarked.
“Ooo. What’s this?” Kim asked as she pointed to the bowl of plov.
“That is a Russian dish,” Viktor answered. “It’s called plov.”
“I can’t wait to try it,” said Kamille.
Amanda joined them at the table and they began dishing out the food.
“So what have you guys done so far?” Delores asked.
“Not much,” Amanda answered. “He got in on Thursday and I’ve had to work.”
“We played some chess,” Viktor said.
Amanda laughed. “Ah, no,” she disagreed. “He pummeled me at chess … mercilessly.”
“You beat her?” Kim asked, seeming a little surprised.
He shrugged. “Once or twice.”
Amanda just looked at him with an air of mild disgust. “Try five times … in a row.”
Viktor looked slightly embarrassed and exasperated. “You didn’t have to tell everyone that.”
“Oh please,” Amanda brushed it off. “I don’t care if they know you’re smarter than me.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m smarter,” he objected. “Just … better at chess.”
“Well it’s about time someone beat her,” Kim teased.
“My mom beats me,” Amanda tried to clear the record.
“Only occasionally,” Brenda chimed in, not helping her case.
“Anyway,” Amanda interrupted, hoping to change the subject. “How’s the food?”
Everyone confirmed the food was excellent. The plov was a big hit as were the homemade dinner rolls. The chicken was already half gone and the mashed potatoes were getting scarce. They were well into their third bottle of wine and everyone was having a good time.
“So Viktor,” Rachel spoke up. “We’ve heard Amanda’s version of how you two met. We’d like to hear your version.”
“My version?” he repeated.
“Yeah, we want to hear the story from your perspective,” Rachel explained.
Viktor glanced over at Amanda who seemed eager to hear his response. He leaned back in his seat and thought about the first time he saw her in that restaurant in Edinburgh.
“I was having lunch with some colleagues,” he began, “when I noticed this beautiful woman eating all alone.”
“Oh stop,” Amanda said, feeling embarrassed by the compliment.
“They asked to hear my version of events, no?” Viktor playfully scolded her. He continued with how he approached her outside the restaurant and got her to agree to dinner and then how she later caved and accepted his offer to tour Glen Coe. “I knew after a few hours that I was in trouble,” he explained. “She is unlike any other woman I have ever met.”
“Oh, that can’t be true,” Amanda objected.
Rather than try to convince her in front of everyone, Viktor simply reached out and took her hand and softly gazed at her with a confident, gentle smile.
“I’m pretty ordinary,” she added, attempting to bolster her claim.
“Not to me,” Viktor replied.
“Well I think you two make a great couple,” Delores said.
The rest of the night went smoothly and everyone left in a good mood. Kim stayed behind to help clean up. Viktor made tea for Brenda and took advantage of the opening to spend some one-on-one time with her while Kim and Amanda cleaned the dishes and put away the leftovers.
Brenda had such a warm and comforting way about her, Viktor couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. Conversation was easy and they got along as well
