The Sin Collector

ANDREY

Andrey sat outside Masha’s building, looking uneasily between the dark sky and the street where, he hoped, Masha would appear. Her mother, whose dinner he had interrupted an hour ago, had looked him over appraisingly from head to toe and then told him her daughter was out. Judging by the reduced collection of books in her room, she was probably at the library, she’d said. No, she didn’t know which library. Yes, Masha had left her cell phone at home again. Andrey had already called Innokenty to reassure him. He kept his tone very official as he reported that Masha had left her phone at home and was probably just slaving away over some books. But he’d also called to make sure she wasn’t at his place. Innokenty had thanked him for calling. Masha wasn’t there. That news was slightly reassuring.

Finally, a car drove up, and Intern Karavay climbed out. Andrey hopped off his bench and ran up to her, without any real idea what he was going to say. Masha didn’t seem surprised to see him. She only nodded. Andrey suddenly noticed the dark circles under her eyes, and sympathy won out over the shame that had been eating him up inside the whole day. He wanted to grab her, hold her close, tell her everything would be okay, that they would catch the bad guy. He stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets to stop himself.

“It’s good that you’re here,” said Masha coldly. “I have something new on our investigation. And I think—”

“Hang on a second,” Andrey said, feeling the sweat drip down the back of his neck. “I came to tell you I’m sorry. I was rude yesterday, and I didn’t have any reason to be. I mean”—he ran a hand over his buzzed head and laughed sadly—“there is a reason. You really piss me off.”

Masha’s face went hard, and her eyes dropped. Andrey hurried to explain.

“I really like you. But probably the pissing-off part is… bigger. Because I also like you. You’re out of my league, I know—don’t think I don’t get that. Innokenty would say we’re from different worlds or something—”

“Stop,” said Masha, her voice quiet.

“No. Let me finish. I like you. I want—well, everything about you. But there’s nothing between us and there can’t be, can there? That’s why I’m going crazy!”

Masha broke into a grin. Andrey barely had time to be offended before her arms were around his neck, and she was kissing him, his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, and saying, “God, you’re such a dummy! I’m serious, has there ever been anyone dumber?” He stood there for a moment in shock, then finally took her face in his hands and kissed her.

The last thing that flashed through Andrey’s mind, before he stopped thinking altogether, was how nice it was, after all, that they were the same height.