My mouth dropped when Dominic pulled into a brand-new apartment complex that bordered the harbor. It appeared to be one of the nicest buildings on the street. Hell, it was the nicest building on the street. My mouth continued to gape when we entered the elevator and it opened to the top floor penthouse.

"When you said 'friend's apartment,' I was thinking a small, one-bedroom, college pad. This is... something else."

The open floorplan displayed a lofty modern space that looked as though it was ready to be featured in Architectural Digest.  

I was in awe of the vast wall of glass that overlooked the water, showcasing a prominent cable bridge in the distance.

"Nice, man. The view's 'tiguidou.'" Julian whistled, known for slipping a French-Canadian term here and there in his speech being from Quebec.

"Yeah, it is pretty sweet," Dominic admitted. He cleaned his glasses with the edge of his shirt as if he couldn't see clearly. "I think there are three bedrooms- so, we'll each have a room."

"Who is this friend of yours?" I queried, running my hand over the sleek kitchen countertop. The smooth marble was cool under my fingers.

"He's an acquaintance from undergrad. I did a few favors for him in the past."

Dominic paced the living room looking suddenly uneasy. He fiddled with an art-deco vase on top of a stainless steel table adjacent to expensive-looking white armchairs.

Evidently, these people did not have children nor did they sit. Who owns white furniture??

"Why don't we explore the city?" I suggested breaking the awkward silence.

After three hours of gallivanting about the town, we found ourselves on the backyard patio of a cafe/bar, recommended by a local. The seafood was pretty tasty, albeit expensive, maxing out my per diem.

Dominic's cell began to buzz. He eyed the caller ID and got up abruptly.

"Sorry guys, I have to take this. It might take some time."

He left Julian and me to mull over our beers and scope out the dessert menu.

"Sooo, Jen. Why haven't you made a move already?" Julian took a long swig from his beer.

His comment took me by surprise.

"Uh-what do you mean?"

"With Dominic." A pause. He lifted his bushy eyebrows. "Oh, come on Jen, it's evident you're into him. You haven't stopped staring at his ass since we left the airport."

A groan passed through my lips.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes."

"I don't know..." I looked into my nearly empty beer bottle, pondering if I could hide in it for the rest of the night.

"Look, what do you have to lose. He's not part of the team back in Canada. If it doesn't work out then you can go camouflage yourself in the forest for the next two months. There's plenty of space."

I considered Julian's intrepid dating advice.

"Do you think he likes me?"

He reflected on this.

"There's no telling with that man. He's not as readable.... But, he'd have to be crazy not to be into you. You resemble the love child between Gemma Chan and Meghan Markle- if they were lesbian and could procreate."

I almost spit out my beer with stifled laughter.

"Completely wrong ethnic background, but, thanks."

"Speaking of ethnic backgrounds..." He raised his eyebrows again.

I knew where he was going with this. What he was going to say. We had talked about it back at the lab in Canada. 'Why haven't I tried to uncover more about my family.' There were Udege villages within driving distance from the park. And, I had yet to visit any of them.

"I know..." I sighed, "I just don't know where to start. I have no leads."

"Hmm, is it possible to trace your family back through your last name?"

"No..." I shook my head as I peered into the now empty bottle. "My family changed it when they moved to Vancouver. I looked through an old file once which held some immigration papers. My Russian's horrible, so I could barely read any of it. I found out my mom was pregnant with me when they made the trip over. Oh and a word... Jaga...Jarja... something like that, was repeated several times, that was it. But, you're right...I should start somewhere."

Julian again was deep in thought, trying to remember something.

"I think... Dr. Solomdiga mentioned he was half Udege. Maybe you can ask him?"

"Oh, that sounds promising." I chewed my lower lip, making a mental note to start my ancestral search with him when we returned to the lab.

We were about to order dessert when Dominic returned. His hair ruffled as if he had pulled his hands through it.

"What did you guys decide?"

Julian rose from his chair, not so stealthily.

"Actually, I think I'm calling it a night."

I shook my head, but he ignored the gesture and fawned an exaggerated yawn.

"All that walking has tuckered me out. You 'young ones' should enjoy the night."

He patted Dominic on the back and gave a very obvious wink in my direction. I wanted to strangle him.

"What's up with him?" Dominic casually took his seat.

"He's just weird.... In the best way possible." I smiled looking back at Dominic. Julian was right. What did I have to lose?

----------------------

"Two vodka shots!" I yelled at the bartender, thankful he could understand English. We somehow wandered into an overpacked nightclub. The bizarre techno music was buzzing in my ears. Dominic convinced me I would be more successful at retrieving the drinks when he eyed the crowded bar and the muscular, male bartender.

And he was correct. Drinks were delivered pronto. I squeezed out of the bar throng with my shots and handed one to Dominic.

"Want to dance?"

I ogled the massive pit of people still recovering from the bar crowd. There was a reason why I was an endangered species biologist. Not a huge fan of people. And yet, this was Dominic asking me to dance.

"I might need another one of these first," holding up my glass, inhaling, and pouring the burning liquid down my throat. Dominic followed suit.

Coughing, I made my way back to the bar and squeezed in between a large Chinese man and a young Japanese woman. I swore, there were more Asians here than in Vancouver.

The bartender leaned in.

"More vodka?" His accent heavy.

"Do you have anything local?" I was being adventurous.

The Japanese woman interrupted, her English was flawless.

"Are you here with anyone?"

"Uh, yeah...." I motioned to Dominic in the foreground who was nodding his head to the music, observing the DJ.

"You should try 'Panty na Medu.' It's delicious and it's local- has a ton of health benefits."

"Okay... sure. Why not? "Two 'Panty na Medus.'"

The bartender raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

The Japanese woman smiled mischievously. "I think you guys will have a great night."

Once I made it back to Dominic's side, he was bouncing on his heels. We quickly downed our delicious amber drinks, tasting of honey and lemongrass.

Dominic did not ask this time. He pulled me to the dance floor. The liquid courage beginning to melt my brain, and I didn't resist.

We tumbled against the mass, the beat filling my head. My cheeks blushed from the close proximity of our bodies in the heat-filled room.

An inebriated young man ran to the top of the stairs and shouted something in Russian to the party-goers below. There was a huge roar of pleasure from the crowd.

I gave Dominic a quizzical look, not understanding the transaction.

Dominic's mouth pressed close to my ear,

"It's his birthday. And he said there are free shots all night."