Page 13 of Love to Defy You
She has a sophisticated air about her, but her light brown eyes are a little glassy, like she’s disconnected. Whether it’s from boredom or melancholy, I can’t tell.
“Um, I haven’t decided yet,” I say. “But I’m leaning toward literature. All I know is I want to make a career out of books, but I don’t know what that looks like yet.”
Josie gives an approving nod. “Well, Mick says Alek is going into finance, so it makes sense for a couple to balance that with something artistic. I’m sure you’ll be marvelous, whatever you decide to do.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” I say with a small smile.
Alek places his hand on my thigh and rubs his thumb in a gentle circle against my bare skin.
We spend the evening getting to know each other and drinking. The server keeps bringing beer after beer, and by thetime the fondue pot is nearly empty, I’m four pints deep, and the room is starting to tilt on its side.
Alek leans close. “Mikhail and I are going outside for a smoke. Drink some of this while we’re gone.” He slides a glass of water in front of me.
I pout. “I don’t wanna. I want more beer.”
“Don’t test me,malishka. You know what happens when you don’t obey me.”
I giggle and raise my glass. “Which is exactly why I’m going to keep drinking beer.”
He pinches my ass, making me jump, and beer spills over the rim. “At least try to behave while we’re gone.”
“You ladies have fun,” Mikhail says.
The two boys slide out of the booth, leaving Josie and me by ourselves.
I set my beer glass on the table with a little more force than I intend. “Josie, you’re so cool.”
Even her laugh is elegant. “You must have had one too many if you think I’m cool.”
“No, I’m serious!” I slap my palm on the table. “You’re so pretty, and your style is so badass. I totally wanna be you when I grow up.”
She reaches across the table and pats my hand. “You’re so sweet. I have a feeling we’re going to become great friends.”
I gasp. “Really? I’d love that!”
“And as your friend, I’m telling you to drink some water.” She nods at my still-full water glass in front of me. “Otherwise, you’ll have a nasty hangover in the morning.”
“Fine, but don’t tell Alek. I want him to punish me later. And by punish, I mean—“
“I get the picture. Your secret is safe with me.” Amusement sparkles in her eyes as she watches me sip. “Your necklace is stunning, by the way. I’ve been admiring it all night.”
I glance down at the heart-shaped pendant hanging from a long, silver chain. The pendant is made from black diamonds surrounding a red garnet, and a silver dagger charm pierces through it. Running my fingers over the stones has become a self-soothing habit for me. “Thanks. Alek gave it to me. But enough about me. What about you and Mikhail? Are you two...?”
“Are we shagging? Yes.”
I snort. “I figured that, but is he your boyfriend?”
Her expression falters. “We’re just casual. Once we graduate in June, he’ll go his way, and I’ll go mine.”
“Okay, good.” I blow out a long breath. “I was afraid to tell you that he was flirting with the receptionist in my building.”
“That sounds like Mick.” She gives me a wistful smile, but her eyes are a million miles away.
A figure approaches our table, casting a shadow over the booth. For a moment, I think it’s Alek returning from outside, but when I glance up, it isn’t him.
The stranger has a similar height and build as Alek, but his complexion is more Mediterranean than Baltic with its copper hue. His thick, raven hair is combed into a preppy style to match his beige cable-knit sweater and navy slacks.
The guy looks like he just finished having tea with the Kennedys and is on his way to a charity luncheon on a yacht. Like an old-money, Ivy League legacy student who knows he’s got a gorgeous face.
