I accept it, not caring what's under the foil, so long as it's not moving. Right now, I'd probably eat it even if it was. There's a cold cheeseburger, egg rolls, what might be chicken nuggets and cookies.
"Awesome," I say and dig in, taking a huge bite out of the cheeseburger.
"Good trip?"
I shrug.
"Yeah usually sucks." He's smiling, chipper enough that I'd be annoyed, if he was anyone else. Petr has a way of putting people around him at ease. I never could pinpoint what exactly it is about him that does it, but it works, even on someone as tightly wound as I am.
I wolf down everything and then take a bite of a cookie and freeze.
Petr laughs hard.
Setting the cookie down, I dig a bottle of water out of my bag. I swallow and drink then glare at him.
"How does your sister not know how to make cookies?" I grumble.
"I'll never understand it either."
Removing my cap, I set it on my lap and rest my head back. There's a knot in my stomach that has nothing to do with eating too fast and everything to do with the woman who can't cook. I'm not certain what to expect: either I'll see her and realize I was somehow romanticizing everything or I'll realize there's something between us that won't go away.
For once, I'm not planning either way. I'm going to wait to see, because there's one element of this that's absolutely beyond my control: her.
I'm going to enjoy the first recreational leave I've taken since joining the Corps six years ago. From the texts Riley sent me tonight, there's tons of food, alcohol and people around, so I'm pretty sure I can relax in the Khavalov mansion and let things unfold.
It'll be nice to take a break for once.
"I'm surprised you came," Petr says. "Thrilled but surprised."
"Colonel Howard was about to order me on leave," I reply vaguely. It's mostly the truth. I'm not going to tell him about the gift his sister sent, not until I can determine her intentions.
"Baba will be happy to see you. He always asks how you are."
"You have a great family." Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and relax. The car is so quiet and warm that I know I'll be dozing by the time we get back. "How is he? Healthy?"
"Strong as an ox, as always."
"Good."
"Harper's supposed to be by on Sunday." The way he says it makes me think one of the guys told him about the casual relationship I have with her.