Page 24 of Sinful Promise

“Sorry, it’s Anton.” He quickly types out a response.

“Have you pitched any of your ideas forEspionageto Anton? I remember you talking about doing theme nights and limited-edition drinks.”

“I did, actually.” He sets his phone down on the table. “I pitched him an idea for an exclusive event, and he surprisingly agreed to it. I think he must have been sleep deprived or something because I’ve never known Anton to agree to something so easily, but who cares, right?”

“That’s great! I’m excited for you.”

“Thanks, Em. If it goes well, Anton said he would consider letting me plan more stuff.”

“I thought you were the manager? Surely, you can do what you want?”

“Yeah, well, my idea of managing is completely different to Anton’s.”

His phone lights up again on the table, and I catch sight of the time.

I groan as I get to my feet. “Oh, no, I need to get going. I didn’t realize the time, and I’m going to be late for my next class.”

“Can’t you skip it?”

I’m almost tempted by the hopeful look on his face, but today is not the day to be playing hooky.

“I’m sorry. It’s a pre-exam prep class, and if I’m more than five minutes late, the professor won’t let me in.”

“Okay. Well, text me later.”

“Will do.” I grab my bag and head toward the door before I can talk myself into skipping my class.

One of mymajor character flaws is that I overbook myself and then complain about the fact that I’m busy. Zara says it’s because I don’t like to be alone with my thoughts, and she’s probably right.

Today happens to be one of those days.

Not only did I schedule lunch with Danil alongside a packed class schedule, but I am also hosting a dinner at my apartment for Zara, Dimitri, and my parents, and I don’t even have the ingredients to make said dinner.

“Why do I do this to myself?”

I pull out my phone and start typing out a shopping list as I’m leaving my lecture hall.

Hosting a family dinner became a sort of monthly ritual when I first moved out because if we didn’t schedule in time to see each other, we never would.

Despite my father being a retired cop, he still goes to the precinct regularly, and he also volunteers for various organizations that help underprivileged youths stay off the streets, so he’s always busy. It’s the same with my mom. She retired from full-time teaching a few years ago but still somehow ends up substitutingat the local elementary as well as hosting various book clubs and coffee mornings.

I wonder where I get it from…

Booking in a monthly dinner means that my parents get a chance to catch up with both of their daughters at once, which I know means a lot to them.

After my exam prep class, I stop by the grocery store to get all the ingredients for dinner. I’ve always loved cooking and entertaining, so it doesn’t feel like much of a chore to host, though I do wish I had left myself a little more time, considering the fact that they’re all due over in less than two hours.

I will say I’m grateful that the twins are staying with Lucia and Mikhail tonight.

The first time I had everyone over, I insisted on Zara bringing Sasha and Ben too, but it turns out having twin toddlers confined in a small apartment is a recipe for disaster.

It’s a miracle they left me with any plants or books at the end of the night.

By the time I get home, I’m desperate to wash off all the grime and sweat that always seems to cling to my skin after a day in the city. So, after I quickly put the Mediterranean vegetables in the oven to roast, I jump in the shower.

I wish I had time to spend ages exfoliating my skin and washing my hair, but I don’t. So, I settle for a quick once over with my vanilla body wash and call it a day.

When I walk back into my bedroom, dripping wet and wrapped in a towel, I scream at the top of my lungs.

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