Chapter Seven
That little date at the restaurant proliferated into many dates.
The two weeks with Tanya passed like a breeze to Larry. It was the best time of his life. At least, it's the best time he had since he settled in Germany.
Larry found Tanya to be as brainy and witty as she was ravishing. She didn't mind him listening to the Backstreet Boys. "It's fine with me," she had said. "I have a little sister who's ten and she is crazy for them. Especially Nick. You know, Nick Carter. I think he's cute, too." Nick had almost wanted to say that he'd give her an autograph when he remembered he wasn't Nick Carter anymore.
They could talk about anything. They have discovered the darkest secrets of each other, even the one when Tanya mistook some shit for chocolate and ate it. All, except the fact that Larry isn't Larry.
The problem was, Larry was finding it hard to be a closed-book in front of Tanya. She was so easy, so open. "What if she is some spy from another mob? And that she's here to kill me once she confirmed that I am Nick Carter?" Larry pushed these gruesome thoughts away. "No way! She's too good to be true, to good be an emissary!"
Spy or no spy, Larry knew once he spilled the beans, he is dead.
"Tanya," Larry whispered to his cell phone, one of his most precious possession right now.
"Yeah?" came Tanya's distant voice.
"I'm sorry, baby, I can't make it tonight. I have to see my mother. Ya know, typical family meetings." Tanya didn't ask to go along. Family matters, she knew that's off limits. She had her manners, from her mother.
"It's okay, I understand," she reassured soothingly. Larry let out a sigh of relief. She was so different, so unique. Given this to Mandy, his ex-girlfriend as Nick Carter, she would have had his head.
"Thanks, Tanya. You're the best. I'd really like to take you along, but not till next time, okay?"
"Sure"
"Thanks again. Bye!"
"Um... Larry?" He pulled the cell phone back to his ears.
"Yeah?"
"Um.. I love you. Take care. It's kinda cold outside." A warm feeling whelmed Larry's heart. A smile spread across his face.
"I love you, too. Bye," he whispered softly, and hang up the phone. "YES!" he shot his hand into the air and yelled in victory. Then he strode down the dark and cold street feeling like he's in heaven.