Harper looks around my head. "Yeah. Why is he staring at us?"

"He's sort of our bodyguard."

"Sort of?"

"His job is to look out for us today."

"Is this a gift from your boyfriend?" she sarcastically asks.

I stare at her.

"You aren't joking?"

"No."

Her eyes widen. "Is this in case Mitch tries anything?"

Well, that's easier than the truth.

I tell another white lie. "Yes. Dmitri's overprotective. I told him it isn't necessary—"

"Bravo! Good for him. I like this new man of yours. Although, I'd love to watch him kick the crap out of Mitch."

"He has a boxing gym—"

"A real one?"

"Yeah. We went to watch his brother fight the other night."

"Like a knock 'em out, blood bath real one?"

"Yes."

"That's awesome! I want to go. When's the next one?"

"Ummm... I'm not sure. I think he said Boris only fights Killian once a year."

"Boris and Killian?"

"Yes. Boris is his brother."

She grins. "So it was Russia against Ireland?"

"Why do you look so excited?"

"Jeez, girl. Your life is way more exciting than it used to be. And not just because of the O's, although I'm happy to hear he's made you forget the alphabet. I hope you realize this and don't ditch him to go back to dingleberry dumb, piece of—"

Harper's phone belts out a rap song. She digs in her purse while the entire restaurant stares at us. "Sorry." She winces, finally finds it, and turns it off. "Time to go. Make sure you make up for not eating all this. I'm sure Dmitri is making you work off lots of extra calories."

I elbow her. "Harper!"

"What? Steven can burn my calories off all he wants. I'm not complaining. You shouldn't, either."

"I'm not."

She laughs, throws cash on the table, and finishes her water. "Ready?"

"Yep. Let me introduce you to Viktor."