at the same time. It was one of those nervous irritations that cause evil bravado, a desire to make a row and, if possible, annoy. - Leave me alone!

He stayed where he was, hesitating, hesitating, hesitantly, looking around like a dog, considering the option of escape.

- What do you not clearly said? Go to hell! - she exploded.

“Sorry, I’ll just see that nothing happens to you,” he said as politely as possible, taking a few steps back. The last thing he wanted was to scare her, cause a new wave of aggression.

She straightened up, as if accepting a challenge, his retreat gave her strength. She grunted, nervously and deliberately loud, to emphasize contempt. It was like a feigned laugh of disbelief.

“Nothing will happen to me unless you follow me.”

“Excuse me,” he turned and slowly walked back.

In vain he followed her all this time, he thought. Leaving her alone in the park is also not the case. We must take a walk in another place, watch from afar so that she doesn’t get the screw.

Andrei was afraid that Natalia, being in a depressed state, could fall into an unpleasant story. The roots of this fear sprouted seven years ago, and now he unknowingly imagined that something like this could happen to her when he was not around.

- Wait, - she caught up with his quick step. - We have not met anywhere before?

He stopped and turned. In this place there was less light due to the branches of the trees, which snow-covered the neighboring lanterns.

“Is that a dream,” he said softly.

- In a dream? In your dream? - she was confused and smiled, like a man who abruptly changed fear of location.

- No, in yours.

She looked at him, clapping her eyelashes ridiculously, stretching in a smile from ear to ear:

- What are you, magician?

“No, not a magician,” he smiled. Just ridiculous and joyful. - Can I take you? I do not like that you walk here alone.

- I myself do not like.

They moved to the exit. At some point, she clutched her arm over his elbow and did not let go.

- Why did you leave then? She asked in another voice.

- I was ashamed.

- Why?

He anxiously squeezed his palms in his pockets.

- Fell in love, probably, - he reluctantly said, feeling that he was blushing, despite the cold.

- Did you really like me then? - she continued the interrogation with passion. Her voice has become softer, more frank.

“I will always like you,” he said without noticing, with a share of remorse.

Now he heard her breathing loudly, worrying about him. He foresaw that can cause pity, and was afraid of this, but what was said did not return.

“You don't know me at all.” Maybe I'm bad, she said, childishly.

- Bad ones don't drown.

- Yeah, and yet, you know that does not sink?

They laughed, and this laugh caused even more fun. It seemed that this joke was the key to their acquaintance seven years ago, untied all the knots so carefully tied.

- Is everything so bad? - he accepted the same childish tone when they cried out with laughter.

- Yes, how to say. I am pregnant - this time. And secondly, my husband just left me. These are two.

She giggled, and he was easily persuaded. They began to neigh again, like crazy.

Calm did not come immediately.

“Marry me,” he said, either jokingly or seriously. She did not hear.

“You're crazy,” she said, and tried to hush up the question with an uneven laugh, but he did not follow her, and she was immediately embarrassed. Paused, afraid to offend Andrew.

“You think I just saved you so easily?” - he continued in the same semi-humorous tone.

- No, you're just crazy. Definitely - she again laughed, clutching at her head. - What do you think. I may be even more crazy than you! Here I will take and leave. BUT? What will you do with a pregnant woman, huh?

- Keep an eye on you.

- Look after? - Natasha laughed heartily. - Is it like then?

Six months later, Natasha and Andrew got married, and two months later they had a wonderful baby. And one more in a year.But that's another story.