Lynsay Sands Quote

What’s ‘Anders’ short for? He blinked his thoughts away and glanced to Valerie. She was looking more relaxed now that he wasn’t approaching, and her head was tipped curiously as she waited for his answer. Apparently he wasn’t quick enough answering, because she went on, Or is it your last name like you call Justin by his last name Bricker? It’s a short form of my last name, he answered. Her eyebrows rose. Which is? Andronnikov. That made her eyes widen. What’s your first name? He was silent for a moment, but suspected now that she knew she didn’t even know his first name, Valerie would hardly be willing to kiss him again, let alone anything else if he didn’t tell her. Women could be funny about wanting to know the name of the guy sticking their tongue down her throat while groping her. My first name is Semen. She blinked several times at this news, and then simply breathed, Oh dear. At least she wasn’t laughing, Anders thought wryly, and explained, It’s Basque in origin. Based on the word for son. I see, she murmured. Everyone just calls me Anders. Yes, I can see why, she muttered, and then cleared her throat and said, So your father was Russian, and your mother Basque and neither of them spoke English? What makes you think that? Well it’s that or they had a sick sense of humor, she said dryly. That’s like naming a daughter Ova. Worse even. I’m surprised you survived high school with a name like that. Actually, I’ve met a couple of women named Ova over the years, Anders said with amusement. Dear God, she muttered. Anders chuckled and moved sideways, not drawing any closer, but moving to grip the edge of the pool as she was doing so that they faced each other with their sides to the pool rim. Valerie smiled, and then said, So were you raised in Basque Country or Russia or Canada? Russia to start, he answered solemnly, easing a step closer in the water. She nodded, seemingly unsurprised and said, You have a bit of an accent. Not a thick one, but a bit of it. I figured you weren’t raised here from birth. No, I came here later, Anders acknowledged. Much later, but he kept that to himself for now and eased another step closer.