Read Online A Wintertime Love by Alyson Raynes - Free Book Online Page B

keeper. Only one problem, I didn’t know her . . . yet. 
    I excused myself, heading to the restroom trying to figure out what I would say to this girl. I came up blank. What the hell is wrong with me? I never have these issues when it comes to women . But there was something special about her. I could sense it. She didn’t behave like the other women our age. She even carried herself differently, more confidently. I zipped up my fly, washed my hands, and headed back to my seat. 
    “Hey, Tristan,” Christina screeched, as I approached the table.
    “What’s up, Chris?” I mocked back in a high-pitched voice.
    “I have someone I want you to meet.”
    “Sure.”
    “Tristan, this is A. J. A. J. Kane, this is Tristan.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” I smiled, shaking her tiny hand.
    “The pleasure is all mine,” she said, batting her pretty eyelashes at me.
    “So, do you go to school at DU? I haven’t seen you hanging around campus,” I mentioned, shoving a French fry in my mouth.
    “No,” she shook her head. “I’ve been attending CU Boulder, studying English and Journalism.  I’m actually getting ready to take a position in New York after the holidays.”
    “So, did you graduate early or something?”
    She hung her head low. “Not exactly. The opportunity came, and I feel like I need to take it. One of those once in a lifetime things. My parents aren’t too happy about it, but I need to do what’s right for me.”
    “I get it. I think it’s cool that you’re following your dreams. Not many people do that anymore. They just give in and conform to what society tells them is the right thing to do, and then one day they wake up, and all of their dreams are gone. Kind of a shit situation to be in if you ask me.”
    “Exactly! Do you think you could explain that to my parents?” she laughed.
    “I’d be glad to, just as soon as I’m able to explain it to mine.” I took another swig of my beer. “Why don’t you have a seat?” I pulled out the chair next to me.
    “Thanks,” she said, sitting down.
    Damn, she’s pretty.
    “You have an accent. Where are you from?” She flashed that beautiful smile.
    “I’m from a town just outside of Moscow.”
    “That’s pretty cool. I’ve always wanted to visit Russia. Maybe one day I’ll get the opportunity to visit. Will you will be going back after you finish your studies here?”
    “I haven’t decided yet. I kind of like it here. Plus, it’s a lot warmer in Denver than it is there.” I shifted in my seat a bit.
    “I can imagine. I hear it gets really cold there. At least that’s what I’ve read and seen in pictures.”
    “Well it’s not too bad in the summer. The average temperature is about nineteen degrees Celsius, which would equate to around 67 Fahrenheit.” I plucked another french fry out of the basket.
    “Holy crap! That’s cold! Do you go swimming there?”
    I laughed, “We have indoor swimming pools. Don’t you watch the Olympics? They have Russian swimmers, don’t they?”
    The bar erupted once again with another touchdown for the Broncos. I didn’t care, though. I was too enthralled in the little beauty sitting next to me.
    She took a slow sip of her water, blushing. “I just wasn’t sure, since all the pictures depict it looking like Christmas year round.”
    “Fair enough. When I first came here I didn’t know what to expect. In Russia, we’re taught that Americans are evil. When I stepped off the plane, I didn’t really know what to expect, but the image of evil wasn’t what I saw. In fact, I saw quite the opposite. I saw people who were just living their lives, no different than any Russian. Where they came up with that, I have no idea. It always amazes me how afraid we all are of the unknown. Every culture is beautiful with its own traditions.” I was wondering where the hell all of this sentimental, gushy shit was coming from.
    “I couldn’t agree more. I think it’s because so many have closed their minds