The rest of the afternoon went off without a hitch. Maggie and John apologized for James’ abrupt departure. They apologized even more so for what happened that night seven years ago. I told them that it was long forgotten and that I wished them well. And best of all, Maggie left a moment and came back with the leather-covered photo album I’d left behind. Flicking through, I could see it was untouched apart from some new additions at the end where Maggie had added some photos of us as a family. I couldn’t wait to show the photos to Alessio. We left close to five p.m., and Maggie asked if we could get together sometime for lunch. I hugged her tight and told her that I would love to, even though I was somewhat sure that wasn’t going to happen.
As we drove home, Lidi fell asleep, which gave me the perfect opportunity to speak to Lev without distraction. “What did you think about Maggie and John?”
He thought about it. “I think they regret causing you pain. They seem like nice people.”
“And James?”
His jaw tensed. “He was an ass.”
I agreed in a sense, but now I had to tell him the awkward part.
“He kissed me today.” I turned to look at him. His hands had tightened around the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. “After I followed him out, we had it out. He was angry with me for leaving. He told me he was still in love with me. That it was why he got divorced.” I paused before landing the biggest blow. “He told me to leave you today and asked me to marry him.”
At the last part, Lev turned to me, his face slack. He gathered himself before clearing his throat and asking, “And what did you say to that?”
I feigned indifference, “Well, after I slapped him for that rude kiss he planted on me, I told him he needed to get a grip. I explained that I only wanted to marry one man, and I was already with that man.” I let out a breath of frustration. “You called it, baby. I was wrong. He definitely wanted a slice of Mina pie.”
Lev uttered an irritated, “I’m not sure whether to find him and beat the shit out of him, or just sit here and be thankful in the knowledge that you wish to marry me one day.”
I grinned saucily. “How about a kiss of gratitude?”
He glanced at me and his hard face softened, a small smile gracing his lips. He leaned over and I pulled back. “Not on my lips.”
He looked confused. “Then where?”
I smirked, turning to look out the window. “I’ll show you when we get home.”
His low growl caused goose bumps to trail up my arms. And when we got home, he kissed me well and good.
In fact, he kissed me boneless.
It was the night before the club reopened, and Sasha called together a dinner meeting before the grand affair. It was held at the main house. Ada had prepared a wonderful banquet in celebration, and I was salivating at the look of it all.
We ate. We talked. We laughed.
Everything was going well. Almost too well, if you know what I mean. So when Anika turned to me and said what she did, it was hardly a surprise. It was expected. “So, Mina, what’s happening? Are you looking for your own place yet?”
The entire table went silent.
“Ani.” Nas stared at her. “Honey, don’t.”
Anika had been drinking since we arrived. She was currently on her fourth glass of wine and she looked rather mellow. She waved Nas off and blinked slowly. “What? We’re all friends here.”
We were?
I wasn’t so sure of that.
I cleared my throat and responded, “Well, actually, I have been looking online at apartments.”