Page 71 (1/1)

"Nikolai very lucky," she said as she softly patted my cheek Then she turned to collect a tray with the pitcher of red liquid on it as well as solasses I was dumbfounded by her behavior As I followed her back into the dining area, I passed her kindness off as general politeness toward her son’s client Anna took the plate from me and set it on the table but before I could takeher head Then she pointed at her son

I didn’t need to understand Russian to get her gesture as she motioned to the e as I realized she'd fully bought into the idea that I was in a relationship with her son I turned to face her in the hopes that I could somehow explain that it wasn't like that, but she merely smiled and said, "Sit, sit"

Before I could respond, Anna took my seat next to Elena I was sure all eyes were on me as I moved to the chair next to Nikolai, but in reality, everybody was talking excitedly ast themselves as they adured she was explaining the poor icing job to her family

As I sat down next to Nikolai, he leaned into ht?”

I lied and nodded my head

There was a bit of bustling across the table as Anna stood up She held a knife and cake server I assu the in Russian, Nikolai said, “She wants you to cut the cake”

“What? Why?” I blurted

Nikolai’s hand settled on oing to kiss my cheek but instead, his lips settled by my ear as he whispered, “You’re not the only one ants to ood impression, sweetheart”

It took me a moment to process his words Why would Nikolai’sme? I was certain he was mistaken but when I looked at Anna, I saw a hint of nervousness in her features as she continued to hold the knife and cake server out

I stood up enough to take the items froan cutting, the kids began requesting the biggest pieces and whatever tension had hung over the rooan working on ain

I sought out Nikolai’s hand beneath the table and felt soers wrapped around mine

Then, as I looked around the small but clearly happy family, I did the unthinkable

I wondered what it would be like to be one of them

Chapter 19

Nikolai

"He's my client, Mom," I reminded my mother in Russian as I finished the last of the dishes and hurried to put theet back to Jude who I’d left in the living room with my sister and the kids Well, I hadn’t exactly left him… more like he’d been taken frorabbed Jude’s arm as he'd made ato hi at family pictures

My fa out all the stops, it see Jude's praises though she'd only known hi a lot to Jude while looking in my direction And poor Jude… he’d looked completely out of his element But as nervous as he’d been, he hadn't lost control of himself or shut down

In fact, once he’d been sitting next to me, I’d actually seen him smile a few times as my family had attempted to teach him a few Russian words I would need to do a better job ofit clear toone and nothing more Even if I didn’t really believe that myself, I had to put an end to all of this because I was already having toowith my head as it was I’d had Jude at my home for less than twenty-four hours and yet it felt like he’d been there forever The way he’d fit in my arms and my bed, the way my family had instantly accepted him… it was all scary as shit but mostly because I wanted it to be real

All of it

Once I got the dishes put away, I headed for the s area but my mother called me back and motioned to the counters I let out a soft curse underthem down