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I still didn't knohat hadto play basketball But noas glad that I had As soon as we’d arrived at the courts, Nikolai had challenged four young a in suys to play two on tith, he’d picked the four youngest and talented players to take on

We’d won, but barely

Thankfully, I'd ame than on Nikolai as he’d played The raceful and if I hadn’t been forced to play ht of his shirt riding up to reveal a yummy treasure trail every time he made a shot

We’d ended up working well as a teaested another game, but fortunately, Nikolai had insisted that he and I had to go We’d played it cool like we really were too busy, but noe lilad he'd had the foresight not to take on a second round with the guys

"Thank you, Nikolai," I said "I needed that"

Nikolai glanced atsmile of his "You’re welcome"

Once ere in the SUV, Nikolai asked, "Home?"

Considering he and I were both sweating and s pretty ripe, I nodded

"And after?" he asked

It was on the tip of o so phone stopped me before I could ask the foolish question Despite the 's events, I needed to re, he just wanted to break up theme back and forth to work

Nikolai answered his phone and after his initial greeting, he began speaking Russian to the caller I didn't need to knoas being said to realize it wasn't good news He tensed up and sat forward as he spoke to whoever was on the other end The urgency in his voiceup, he seemed pale and shaken

"Nikolai?" I said softly