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“I really am sorry, Alina. I wish I could be there, you deserve a better Valentine's Day.”
“I told you Sasha, I don’t mind. We can have a nice dinner any time we want, there’s nothing that special about today.”
It was true, technically February 14th was nothing more than just another day. And Aleksander had already taken her to enough fancy dinners to rival anyone else’s special V-day plans. Alina couldn’t be mad at him, not even if she tried, because when good opportunities presented themselves it was important to jump on them quickly, and an interview for a summer position at Lantsov Law was more than just a good opportunity for Aleks. The kind of thing that would open doors for his future and all but ensure him a job after graduating law school. She simply couldn’t be upset about it.
Even if it meant he was away for the weekend, a last minute trip that ruined their Friday night movie date and whatever Aleksander had planned for the holiday since he couldn’t catch a train back until Sunday evening at the earliest.
No, Alina wasn’t upset at all. So maybe it was her first time being someone who actually liked her back, but she’d spent countless prior V-days hanging out with friends or curled up reading or simply forgetting the holiday even existed. Why would it bother her now? It’s not like her eyes stung a little bit when Aleksander called her that morning to recite a cheesy little poem. And she certainly didn’t feel a little tug in her chest when she realized he was going to be away for a few days. It’s not like she could miss him that badly over just one weekend. But fuck why did it have to be the same weekend as Valentine’s Day?
“I know sweetheart but I still wish I could be there. You deserve something nice when I get back.”
“ Sasha ! You deserve this opportunity, please don’t feel bad about seeing it through. I’ll just make chocolate covered strawberries and watch a movie with Genya and Zoya. You can sweep me off my feet another day. Now go get ready for your interview! You’re gonna crush it.” Alina assured, reaching out for the scarf he’d given her so long ago. It still smelled like him, tobacco and smoke and a penetrating warmth that sufficed as a replacement for falling asleep against Aleksander’s chest.
“Thank you, Alinochka . I’ll call you when I get back. Have a good day my love,” he sighed, the affection in his voice palpable even through the static of the phone.
He’d been doing that so often now, calling her my love like it was easy, the words falling from his lips without hesitation. It wasn’t a challenge or a pain to say. It didn’t require prompting on her end, he said it of his own volition. Alina wasn’t used to being loved so freely, not having to work for it.
So she managed her disappointment in the circumstances by remembering all of the little things about Aleksander that made it worth it. She thought about the way his all encompassing hugs throughout the morning, then about the way she never had to fight for his attention to get her through a stressful afternoon of readings and papers and a stupid math assignment.
She was struggling through a calculus derivation when a text notification broke her concentration.
Sasha💞 (2:14 pm): Where are you right now? Are you busy?
>>> (2:15 pm): Studying at the cafe! Why?
Sasha💞 (2:15 pm): Perfect. Stay there, there’s a surprise coming your way.
>>> (2:16 pm): What? Wdym?
She didn’t get a response though, not for several minutes. She debated just calling him to figure out what he was talking about until she looked up to find Feydor walking into the coffee shop and heading straight towards her, a bouquet of roses and lilacs and irises in hand.
He grinned when they locked eyes, undoubtedly amused by her look of surprise. He slid into the seat across from her, pressing the bouquet into her hands, the blush pink craft paper crinkling as she touched it.
“A gift from Aleksander. He’s lucky I’m good at picking bouquets.” Feydor winked.
“Wait what? How did-”
“Aleks sent me a text this morning so I could make sure you got a Valentine's Day gift.”
Alina nearly teared up, couldn’t even remember the last time someone had bought her flowers and yet Aleksander still managed to get them to her without even being present. She’d have to figure out something she could get him in return before he got home…maybe make him brownies or cookies to satisfy the sweet tooth he so adamantly denies he has.
“Thank you, Feydor. You’re very kind to go out of your way to do this for him.” Alina whispered, sniffing the fragrant bouquet.
“Oh I didn’t mind. It’s worth it to see you two so happy together. I can’t remember a time when Aleksander was this happy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, darling. He really likes you,” Feydor said softly. It was so simple, not a revolutionary statement, and yet it brought a blush to her cheeks- the fact that someone else could see it too, that she didn’t have to explain to her friends that her boyfriend did in fact like her back. It was so refreshing to be wanted so openly.
“And you really do make him happy. Now I’ve got to run, but enjoy the rest of your Sunday. See you around the Sig Chi house.”
And with that Alina was left smiling into her bouquet.
>>> (2:32 pm): Thank you for the flowers Sasha❤️❤️
Sasha💞 (2:35 pm): Anything for you Alinochka. I’ll call you later.
Alina grinned like an idiot all the way home, flowers gripped tightly in one hand and texting Genya with the other. Apparently she got reservations for a late dinner at a new Japanese place downtown. If she couldn’t spend Valentine’s Day with Aleksander, she could at least spend it with some good sushi instead.
She settled on an oversized red sweater over her black skirt, even popping on a little bit of blush to try and keep with the theme. And thank god she did because when she met up with Genya, she had gone all out with a gorgeous pink and red eye look, little hearts speckled along her cheeks like freckles.
The Uber ride was fine if a bit odd- Genya kept giggling and checking her phone, like she was waiting for a text.
“Waiting on a Valentine to text you?” Alina joked, but Genya just rolled her eyes.
“Funny. But you’re the one with the boyfriend who’s out of town.”
“Hey, it’s not Aleksander’s fault the interview date was shitty. Plus he sent me flowers!”
“Come on, you’re not even a little bit disappointed that he’s gone?”
“Of course I am, but it’s not his fault. Honestly, I just miss him more than anything.”
“Awwww Lina, that's adorable.” Genya giggled, voice sing-song and high pitched. Alina gave her friend a gentle shove, unable to hide the flush in her cheeks even with the lights of the city flashing across her face.
The streets were busy, storefronts decorated with a plethora of hearts and glitter, everyone out and about for the holiday. The Uber pulled up to the curb, the girls sliding out into the chilly air. Alina wasn’t too familiar with the city, but she was pretty sure that they were still a few blocks from part of the city affectionately dubbed Little Asia. Genya insisted that this place was just around the corner.
Alina glanced at the restaurants nearby, a few of the names sticking out in her mind.
“Greek on Main? That’s where Zoya said she and Nikolai were going tonight. Wasn’t she trying to get you and David to join them for like a double date thing?” she asked, trying to squint from across the street to see inside. Genya just sighed, grabbing Alina’s hand to drag her up the street and around the corner.
“Slow down Gen, we still have-”
Alina thought she was hallucinating. Maybe she hit her head on the way out of the car and was suffering from an aneurysm. Maybe she was just missing him so much that she was projecting his face onto random strangers. But as they got closer, Alina could tell it was actually him. She’d recognize those dark eyes anywhere.
“Aleksander?” she gasped, pulling away from Genya’s side to launch herself at Aleksander’s solid body. His hands were around her in an instant, low across her back and hauling her straight off the ground, body pressed into his black jacket. Her hands cupped his face, pulling him into a kiss.
Alina really didn’t think she’d missed him that much, but the taste of tongue was so welcome in her mouth. The warmth of his hands on her body like coming home. She only pulled away from him when Genya coughed- a reminder that they were in public.
“Hello, Alinochka . Happy Valentine’s Day.” he whispered, setting her back down but keeping his arms firmly around her.
“Sasha, how are you here? I thought you couldn’t get a train back until late tonight!”
“I caught an earlier one so I could make it in time for a date, lyubov moya .”
“But what about your interview-”
“Relax Alina, it’s all good. I’ll tell you everything over dinner.” he assured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He drew her in for a hug, chin resting atop her head. “Thank you, Genya, for getting her here.”
“Thank you , Aleksander, for convincing David to join the rest of us at Greek on Main. Have fun you two.” Genya laughed, sauntering off towards the other restaurant.
Alina squeezed Aleks tighter, burying her head into his chest. As always, he was a human furnace, his body radiating warmth and serving as a barrier to the wind. It was a feeling she’d grown used to in the last few months, Aleksander by side as they walked across campus or to his house. He was like the perfect puzzle piece she never even realized she was missing until he was gone.
“I missed you, Sasha.” she mumbled, embarrassed that she was this excited after just a few days apart. But then he whispered that he missed her too, following it up with another kiss, his hands sliding up her back and into her hair.
“Come on princess, let’s have dinner.”
Aleksander ushered her into the restaurant, past the hostess desk and the large dining room into a smaller, more secluded back room. Only the table in the center of the room had a lit candle, a bottle of wine already chilling in a bucket.
“Aleks!” Alina gasped, taking in the gorgeous ambiance. “When did you have time to set this up?”
“Oh I’ve had this planned for weeks, zoloste - just had to push it back a few hours.” he grinned, pulling out her chair for her. Then he settled into his own seat, reaching across the table to take her hand, thumb stroking over the back of her fingers.
“How are you? How did the interview go?” she asked, fighting the urge to giggle at the exasperated look on his face.
“It went well, all things considered. I think I made a good impression, but honestly I don’t know if I’d accept their offer.”
“Why not?”
“It’s just…the owner of the firm, Lantsov, is Nik’s dad. And I know it’s not technically nepotism, but I feel like it might give people the wrong impression.” he explained, free hand reaching for the wine bottle. Alina felt a bit stupid for not putting the pieces together before…she knew Nikolai’s last name and that his dad was a hotshot lawyer, but handn’t realized it was the same Lantsov firm Aleks had mentioned.
“I’m sure he’s too busy to really care about summer interns,” she tried. “Plus there’s still plenty of other places you can look into.”
Aleksander hummed, sending her a soft smile as he filled their glasses. A waiter came by to take their orders, but Alina kept pressing. She wanted to know everything about his weekend away.
“Enough about that milaya , it’s a holiday. We can talk about all that tomorrow. I want to give you your gift.” he said, pulling out a large gift bag.
“Gift? Is dinner and flowers not enough?” she laughed, but she shouldn’t have been surprised. Not when it came to Aleks.
“For you princess? Nothing is enough.” he smiled, passing it over to her. There was a brand insignia she didn’t recognize on the front of the gift bag and the weight of it made her worry that Aleksander had gotten her something far nicer than necessary.
“ For when I can’t be there to keep you warm ” was written in his elegant cursive on the label. She glanced up, suddenly warm and flushed.
But Aleksander’s big dark eyes were trained on her face, a hopeful upturn to his cheeks. Alina knew he had impeccable taste, so he had no reason to be nervous. It was her own fingers trembling when she reached into the bag, a soft wool beneath her fingertips. Slowly, she revealed the white fabric of a long coat, black buttons adorning the sides. From the look alone she knew it had to be expensive, confirmed by the unknown and probably designer label on the silk lined inside.
“Sasha…it’s beautiful...thank you” Alina whispered, letting her fingers trace along the lapel of the coat. It probably cost more than her entire wardrobe combined and the material was already starting to trap heat in her lap- it would be perfect against the harsh winter air.
For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Alina’s eyes began to water. It wasn’t just a nice or an expensive gift, it was a thoughtful one. It felt like all Aleksander had done, since the day they met, was keep her warm and cozy and safe in his arms. He always provided the kind of comfort he didn’t even know.
With Aleksander, she was never alone.
Later that night, after Alina got a handle on her tears and they ate and drank and laughed to their heart's content, Aleksander wrapped her up in her new white coat for their journey home. Between the wool of the jacket and Aleksander beside her, Alina basked in the gentle lights of the city, warm and content and loved.
Head tucked into his shoulder, she hummed, thinking about how the day had started versus how it ended. From alone and missing Aleksander to happily in his arms again. From disappointment and bitter to sugary sweet.
Perhaps, Valentine’s Day wasn’t so bad after all.