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‘Oh ht feast with Morozhenoe I used to have it direct from the carts whenever I went to Mosco that I know you have it, I’ll have to coh, and suddenly realize what I have said

There is no expression on his face as he unpacks the bread ‘Do you want yours with an egg on top?’

‘Yeah,’ I say softly, walking back to my stool Somehow the mood has been ruined

I watch his on top of the bread boats and put the powerful hands There are stars tattooed on the, tanned hands on ht arouses ain

‘You don’t cook often, do you?’ I ask

‘Almost never’

‘So what happens to all the food if you don’t eat it?’

He shrugs carelessly ‘I think Irina takes it home’

I nod, ht it never even crossed irlfriend Just because I saw him alone all the time I just naively assumed that he didn’t have one Have I just had sex with someone’s boyfriend?

‘So who’s Irina?’ I ask as casually as I can

He frowns ‘Sort of my housekeeper’

‘Sort of?’

‘It’s complicated’

‘Coirlfriend?’

He looks surprised ‘No, I’m not with anyone,’ he says

Getting infor blood froirlfriend lurking somewhere He pulls open the freezer and takes out a bottle of Tovaritch vodka My father’s favorite Puttingmy jaw in my palms, I watch him pour us a couple of shots

He brings them to me

‘I don’t want to get drunk,’ I say

‘Want a raw egg?’

It is a Russian tradition If you don’t want to get drunk have a raw egg before you start drinking I shake my head

‘Drink it in one go and don’t exhale through your mouth,’ he advises

‘Got it,’ I say and take the glass

‘Vsego khoroshego!’ he says