I watch as his smile returns, confidence building back up. So, I decide to let him in further.
“And waking up this morning to that brunch? God, I haven’t had a meal like that in ages. Surrounded by people and having fun, being at ease and not having to worry about being proper or putting on a show.” I snuggle in closer to his chest. “We stopped having family breakfasts on the weekend when I was in middle school. My parents were just too busy, and Michail was in high school with all his extracurriculars,” I tell him. “But we’d stopped having family dinners way before that. Now, we only meet up once a month at a restaurant, and that’s only if Michail and Vittoria’s schedules align. It’s something at least.” I shrug. It sucks, but I’ve come to terms with it. I want to spend more time with them, but I never really had much of them growing up anyway. It was my grandparents who spent the most time with Michail and me.
“I know what you mean. I’m an only child, but I lost my parents in a plane crash when I was five. Granny raised me, but she passed a few years ago.” I hear the hurt in his voice, the loss. I hug him tighter. “She was an amazing woman, made the best chocolate chip cookies, and always looked out for me even when I was getting in trouble. We didn’t have much other than each other, which didn’t bother me because she smothered me with love. But it meant that I never had those big family Thanksgivings or Christmases. We’d come back from school break and have to write little essays on what we spent our vacation doing, and mine were always simple compared to others. It wasn’t until I met Jackson in high school that I really had any friends. His family is massive, and they make the most out of every holiday. It showed me how different life could be. You should come to their next Lunar New Year celebration; it’s the best.”
My body glows at his mention of the future.
“When I met Parker, my world grew even more. His parents spend most of the year at their home in Kensington if they aren’t working in London, so he flies out for major holidays. I alternate between his family and Jackson’s, depending on what’s going on.”
“That sounds like so much fun.”
He grins, “They’re my brothers. Their families have basically adopted me at this point. Although Jackson’s mom still thinks I’m a delinquent teenager.”
“Aren’t you?”
He tickles me, and I squeal, rolling off the couch and onto the rug. He continues his assault, and I attempt to crawl away.
We are basically wrestling in the middle of the floor when Sydney steps out of the elevator again, phone to ear, chattering away with someone. She’s holding a garment bag and pauses, staring at us on the ground. We pause before falling into another fit of laughter.
“Yeah, Paige, hold on one second, I’ll get her.” She taps her phone and then proceeds to kick Aleks with her heel. “Alright, lovebirds, I need you to sober up on your drunk love for a minute. I have Paige on the phone for the NDA.”
I scramble to my feet, accepting the phone from Sydney. I hit the unmute button. “Hi, this is Stevie.”
“Stevie! Hi, how are you?” Paige’s soft British accent fills my ear.
“Good, thanks! You?”
“I’m well. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself at the party last night. My brother whisked you off before I was able to.”
I cringe at the memory. Whisked is definitely not the term neither Parker nor myself would use to explain the absolute shitshow we created. My mother had been pissed at the commotion I’d caused until she’d learned I’d left with the elusive Covington heir. Then her tone shifted, merely asking that I use a little more decorum in the future. Chase only left me one text, wishing me well with my new beau. I couldn’t tell if it was sarcastic or not. But I wasn’t going to correct anyone, not while it benefited me.
“Right, yes. I’m sure we will have more opportunities in the future.” I don’t know what else to say.
“I looked over the NDA. It’s not dissimilar to the ones we all signed. Just with a few more clauses pertaining to the nature of your romantic relationship. I made a few small alterations there, just so you’d have a little more freedom, but otherwise you’re in good shape to sign away.”
“Wait, you signed an NDA? You’re his sister.” The idea sounds ridiculous.
“Oh, Stevie, if you knew the number of NDAs our family has signed and had people sign over the years, your head would spin,” she laughs.
“Alright, well, thank you, Paige. I really appreciate it.”
“No worries. You can just sign the NDA digitally; I sent the link to Sydney’s phone. Give everyone my love, and I hope to see you soon.”
“Of course, me too.” She hangs up, and I see the message pop up with the NDA. I give it a scroll, but I trust Paige. I sign my name at the bottom and confirm everything, sending a copy to my own email.
“All done,” I announce.
“Fab!” Sydney claps her hands. I look up and notice Aleks has left the room. “Here, let’s trade.” She holds out her palm for her phone, and I pass it over. She gives me the garment bag in return.
“What’s this?”
“You have a date in an hour, don’t you?”
“What?”
An hour?
I snatch her hand back, tapping on the screen of her phone. It’s already six. I didn’t even realize how late it had gotten. I don’t have anything with me. My heart drops.
“Yeah, I had a feeling you’d spaced on the time. Come on, let’s go get ready.”
“But I don’t have any clothes.”
“Which is why Aleksander sent me to pick up a dress for you. I might be their publicist, but I’m also basically their glorified PA from time to time. Now, go grab your heels and purse from last night. We only have,” she pauses, “fifty-five minutes now.”
“Wait, where are we going?”
“My place. I live on the fourteenth floor. Come on.”
She snaps her fingers, and I jump into motion, rushing around the apartment, picking up my loose belongings.
I dip into Aleks’ room and hear the shower running. I pick up my heels off the floor before stopping to take a quick peek at the dress in the bag. Unzipping it halfway, I stare at the soft red fabric. The temptation is too strong. I lay it on the bed and unzip it fully. Before me lies a beautiful red viscose dress, with a side slit and thick black straps holding it all together up top. I tug at the label, eyes widening at the Dolce & Gabbana branding.
“Stephanie!” Sydney yells.
My back stiffens like a kid being caught with their hand in the candy jar. I quickly zip the dress back up. “Coming! I’m coming!”
“Not yet, but later.” Aleks winks at me from the bathroom door frame, naked body dripping with water. He didn’t even bother putting on a towel.
I stare at him, hunger clawing deep in my core. Sydney yells again, and Aleks laughs at me as I stumble out of the room, but excitement bubbles in my chest.
I couldn’t be happier.
TWENTY-SIX
* * *
ALEKS
Stevie bats my hand away for the twentieth time.