Page 157 of Facing Off
“Too much?” My pulse picks up with anticipation. “I don’t think you understand, Sonya.”
“What?”
“You’re my wife.”
She blushes, clutching at my jacket. “And?”
“And even if it’s only for right now, for today, I’m yourhusband.”
“That doesn’t mean?—”
“No, it does. It means I have the privilege of supporting you with everything I have.”
Her eyes dart away, but not fast enough to hide her rapid blinking.
I snatch her hand, the one pushing the envelope away and nuzzle it. “Don’t take that away from me, baby. You know I’d be sad.”
“Adrian!” she whisper-hisses. “This is real money. On that check.”
My lip curls with amusement. “It is.”
Sonya exhales, shaky and low, like something inside her just gave in a little. “Do I want to know how many zeroes are in there?”
“I don’t think you’d react well.”
“Thatmany?”
“That many.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose.
I kiss her cheek. “If it makes you feel better, don’t forget I’m rich. A pro athlete, but also one who’s been diversifying his income since I signed as a rookie. Because remember, I know what it’s like to grow up poor, and I never want that again for my family. I have six sisters, a mom, and a nibling that I’m ready to take care of whenever they need it.”
With that said, I coax a flummoxed Sonya into our seats. Before she can deny me this, because I want her to get a taste of it. It’s for the best that she knows what to expect, that I’d do anything for her. How there’s no limit. She’s worth it all.
Because I’ve decided.
One day, I’m going to ask Sonya to marry me for real.
Lights lower, casting the ballroom in a silky twilight shadow everywhere except for a circular spotlight on the stage.
Madame Kozlova steps into it. She’s holding a microphone.
I look to Sonya. “Ready?”
Reluctance sparks behind her eyes, but wearily she nods.
“Great.” I open her hand and place the envelope with the check in it against her palm. “I know you hate this kind of politics, but can you bear with it for a little? Because this is yours, baby. You’ll be walking up on that stage where all the photographers take your photo, so the entire ballet world knows. The only reason they’re getting this money is because of my wife.”
62
SONYA
I don’t haveto open the envelope to know that the number written down is wild enough to make my eyes water.
Madame Kozlova knows, too. She’s basically mid-orgasm on the stage, waiting for when Adrian walks up and announces how much he’s donating.
She didn’t anticipate something though. And I recognize many other people don’t either. I probably didn’t for the longest time.
