Page 107 of Mafia and Scars

My shoulders stiffen. “I don’t understand. Why waste more words than the minimum needed? And why can’t I answer calls and do myjob at the same time as taking her on a date? I mean, she knows that I’ve got a job.”

“It’s supposed to be a conversation,” Matvey explains. “With back and forth so you can learn about each other.”

I scowl. “I already know about her. And she already knows about me.”

“Try giving her a compliment,” Grigory prompts.

I glance at Nikolai. “You, er, look nice.”

Nikolai flutters his lashes again. “Oh, Vikky, you smooth talker,” he giggles, bringing his fingers up to cover his mouth in a coy manner.

More laughter erupts, and I clench my fist harder, resisting the urge to bolt. My ears burn. This isn’t fucking working. I’m better off trying to learn this shit from a book. Or the internet or something. Or better yet, give up the idea completely.

But then I remember the way Avelina looked earlier. The way she felt beneath my fingertips. The way her face flushed in passion. The way she smiled at me like I was more than just some robotic mafia soldier.

She makes me feel like I’m something good.

Something worth loving.

Not something broken and strange.

“Tell me something nice about her,” Grigory says.

I take a breath. “She’s smart,” I say suddenly. “And funny.”

“And?”

“She listens. And she…makes the world feel like a better place.”

There’s more silence from the guys. Shit, did I mess up again? I try to swallow the feeling rising in the back of my throat.

Nikolai sets down the paper menu he’s been messing around with. “Damn, that was actually kinda sweet.”

“Yeah,” Grigory says with a look of relief. “Didn’t know you had it in you, Viktor.”

Matvey gives me a slight nod. “Now ask her about her likes or something.”

“What? Why? I already know that.”

“Everything?”

“Well...no. What do I ask?”

“Anything. Ask her about her favorite food. Or childhood memory. Or you could ask what she wants for herself in life.”

I stare back down at the table. My thoughts tumbling over one another again. “Doesn’t it bother you?” I ask, brow pinched. “Faking that you’re interested in these things?”

“We’re helping you learn how toconnect. That’s not fake,” Grigory says, leaning forward. “Dating and getting to know people isn’t black and white.”

“That’s not how I am though. I’m not…like you guys in this.” My last words are careful and quiet.

“I know,” Grigory says. “And this isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about getting you to open up a little. And learning about her.”

I release the breath I’m holding. They have my back—and I know it.

Maybe they’re right. Maybe I can do this…

By the time we wrap up, the mood has shifted. The guys rib me a little less as we progress. Grigory even nods at me as we finish. “You’re not totally hopeless.” Which, from him, is as close to a compliment as I’ll get. “And you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not. Don’t change who you are. Just be real. Avelina already sees something in you, right? So just show her more of that.” The others nod in agreement.