5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
“Birthday cheers!” Sonia clinked her non-alcoholic sangria against mine. We usually needed a detox after a blowout like last night. “I’m sorry I was MIA today, but things were happening from like start to finish. Very glad I get to slow down and have some more bday fun with you. I’m even putting my phone away, but remind me to tell you later about the insane text I got from my old college roommate.” She made a show of slipping her phone into her purse, gesturing at it like she was Vanna White, talking a mile a minute the whole time. Sonnie was a little manic sometimes, but I loved her.
“It’s not my birthday anymore,” I reminded her, taking a sip and lowering my sunglasses over my eyes. I’d fared better than she did, but with another birthday came another reminder that I wasn’t in my mid-twenties anymore. Things like hangovers and muscle aches had a tendency to sneak up on me these days.
“Birthday is a state of mind, Ri. If you’re not celebrating for, like, a week, what are you even doing?”
“Fair.” I took a sip, glancing around the patio of my favorite tapas place. Malachi was due any minute now, and I was practically levitating in my seat with impatience.
We’d planned to tell Rija together, but a work emergency had pulled him out of the apartment early this morning, before I’d even woken up. He’d been gone all day, dealing with problems at the Chicago office he’d sneakily started setting up weeks ago.
Sonia had also been in and out since the morning, running errands, getting a mani/pedi, and grabbing lunch with one of her travel nurse friends. I’d been wound up since my alarm had gone off, waiting to get them to sit still in the same place so I could confess and get all this out in the open. Now, on the patio with a pitcher of glorified juice on the table, it was finally about to happen.
If he would just get here, already.
“Seriously, Ri. You deserve to celebrate. Like, a lot. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. The way you’ve stuck by me through everything with that horrible breakup last year and my job drama… I love you, girl. You know that, right?” Sonia’s green eyes were wide, earnest. My heart squeezed with affection and guilt.
Sonnie had been with me through the worst life offered, too, like my parents cutting me off and my grandmother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. I could only hope she’d keep sticking by me when everything was out in the open tonight.
“You’re my best friend, Sonnie. I love you, too.”
“I know, but I wanted to say thank you.”
Oh, God, please don’t thank me when I’m about to tell you I’ve been lying to you for months . “You don’t have to do that.”
She studied me, brows drawn, serious in a way she usually wasn’t. “I do. You’ve been so great about Malachi. I have a few issues there, you know? And I’ve never once had to worry about you ditching me for him.”
“O-oh…” For perhaps the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words. She reached over to rub her hand over my forearm.
“I know this seems like it’s coming out of nowhere, but I was thinking about it last night, watching you together and knowing you have my back, no matter what. I love how close you two have gotten.”
The only response I had for her was a tight grin. I moved my arm away to wipe my palms on the skirt of my dress. I was the worst person in the world.
“You should know—Oh, Siggy!” she sang, standing to greet the dog who shot to our table, the new leather leash I’d gotten him this morning trailing on the sidewalk. The other patrons grinned and cooed at him. God, he was so cute.
I’d spent all morning with the puppy and felt like he already owned half of my heart. At least, the pieces that weren’t already bought and paid for by the Dobrev siblings.
He was sweet and squirmy and though I’d hated to leave him in the crate for dinner, I wasn’t sure inviting a puppy to such a serious conversation was a good idea. Malachi, looking harried and striding down the sidewalk with his phone glued to his face, apparently thought differently.
He loitered at the edge of the patio, watching Sigmund try to jump into my lap. Mal’s face was thunderous. I couldn’t make out his words, but he paced, hand on his hip and shaking his head at intervals.
“Yikes. Wonder what that’s about.” Sonia gave the puppy another scratch on the chin before she ducked inside the restaurant to ask for a bowl of water.
“Christ,” Mal hissed, tossing his phone on the table and bracing his hands against the metal top. He stared while Siggy licked my face. “I will give you a million dollars if you let me kiss you right now.”
My stomach clenched. I really wanted to. “Bad day?”
He collapsed into a chair, the metal legs scraping against the concrete. “The worst. I’m sorry. I know we were supposed to talk to Sonnie earlier.” He reached out like he wanted to run his fingers over my shoulder, but pulled back, his hand fisting.
“I figured we’d leave this guy at home?” I rocked Siggy in my arms, where he was content to snuggle.
Mal’s palms scraped down his face. “That’s the fucking thing. He had to come with me. I’m leaving straight from here to go to the airport.”
“What?” I sucked in a breath, blew it out. Malachi was a Big Deal. I knew that. The people around us had already started nudging each other and looking over at our table. But most of the time, when it was just us, or hanging out at a party like last night, I only saw him as mine. My Malachi.
It was easy to forget, when we were laughing like morons over a Rick and Morty episode, that he was a serious entrepreneur worth millions and millions of dollars. When work stuff did pop up, I tried to be understanding. I worked in an intense job, too. Things happened.
But tonight…I’d thought this discussion with Sonia was a priority for him. I’d thought us clearing the air and then actually being together was a big deal. I knew, logically, that a relationship with me was small fries compared with his multi-million dollar enterprise, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“I know, Kitten, I, fuck , I’m sorry.” He reached out again, this time closing his fingers around mine. “You are important to me. More important than work. I wouldn’t be here right now if that wasn’t true. There’s just…a fire I can’t put out long-distance.”
My heart fluttered at the feel of his hand on mine. “I understand.” I glanced down at where Siggy had settled into my lap.
Mal’s grip tightened. “Look at me, Rija. It’s important to me that you know you’re my priority. Always. If I had any other option, I’d park my ass on your couch for the next month.”
I met his eyes. He looked concerned. Underneath that, a little crazed, which wasn’t his usual style. “I believe you. Mal, what happened—”
“Whoa, you two look serious. Need me to leave?” Sonia set the bowl down by my feet and plopped into her chair.
Mal sat back as well, releasing my hand. My fingers felt cold, even when I buried them in Siggy’s fur. He sighed. “ I have to leave, Sonnie.”
Her head whipped around from where she’d been air kissing the dog’s nose. “Leave? I thought you were here for a while?”
“Yeah, that was the original plan.” He raked fingers through his hair. It looked like he’d done that multiple times today. “Very crappy thing back in Colorado. Somehow coinciding with contracting issues in Chicago. Real shit storm.”
“But you’ll be back in town for the gala next week, right?” Sonia pressed, her brow furrowed. She leaned into the table like his answer was critical.
“The gala where I’m the keynote speaker? Yes, I’ll be back for that,” he drawled. “That’s move-in day, anyway.”
Sonia relaxed back into her chair. “I can’t believe you set all this up behind our backs. Sneaky brother.”
“I like a good surprise.” He stole a sip from my sangria, grimacing when he realized it didn’t have any wine in it.
Sonia snorted. “Yeah, but you can’t keep a secret for shit.”
His eyes flashed to mine. Was it time? Did this feel like too soon? Too rushed? When did he need to leave? He nodded, giving me the encouragement I needed, steeling me. Siggy grumbled and jumped down as I sat forward. “Listen, Sonnie. There’s something—”
“I can’t keep a secret either, though! I’m going to New York tomorrow.” A smug smile tilted her lips.
“—we have… New York?” My carefully thought-out confession died on my lips.
Sonia bounced in her seat. “Yes! I just took a last-minute contract over there. My friend Shaina is going for a few months and said they needed another nurse, so, Big Apple, here I come!”
“Tomorrow?” Mal sounded as shocked as I felt.
Sonia was a travel nurse, which meant she took jobs and contracts with hospitals all over the city. Demand for nurses was high, and it meant she could jump around from place to place without being tied down. She enjoyed the freedom it gave her, not to mention the sizable paychecks.
But Sonia hadn’t taken a gig outside of Chicago in years. Not since her first few months out of nursing school.
“I’m a free spirit, Ri, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy sleeping in temporary housing,” she’d informed me, shuddering.
“I didn’t know you were looking for a job outside of the city.” She was between contracts right now, and I knew she’d been shopping around for her next gig for a few weeks. She could afford to be picky, and this seemed…sudden.
Sonia topped off her glass from the pitcher, shaking her head like I was the crazy one. “No, silly. Nothing like that. I know it’s last minute, but Shaina and I just happened to hook up today for lunch and she mentioned it. It’s only a few weeks. Eight, tops. It’ll be good to get out. Shake things up a little.”
“Two months? I’m moving in next week.” The tic in Malachi’s jaw told me this was one more piece of unexpected news on top of an already overwhelming day. I wanted to stroke his leg, still the bouncing he’d started without realizing it.
“You’ll have some time to acclimate to the city while I’m not here. It’ll be good for you.” She beamed at us. “Rija will be here to show you around!”
Heat flooded my face, body flashing hot when I thought about spending weeks and weeks with Malachi without having to tiptoe around Sonia. It would be…incredible. So freeing and nice and we could sleep in the same bed and…
I felt instantly ashamed at how excited I got at the thought. I heaved a sigh. This had to end. Now.
“Sonia, Malachi and I—”
“You’ll be fine! But you’ll have to be his date to the gala, since I won’t be around. He needs protection from all the thirsty housewives.”
Unbidden, my attention snagged on Mal. He was scowling, but the only thing I could picture in my brain was him in a tux. He went to a lot of fancy events, so he had several, and looked smoking hot in every one of them. He glanced at me, eyes doing a double-take when he caught me staring.
“Sonia…” He started, without taking his eyes off me.
“It might be weird, but you two might want to get a little touchy-feely for that one.”
My thoughts screeched to a halt. Mal’s head snapped towards his sister. Had she just…
“What?”
“Those housewives can get feral at the auction. Probably best if you guys act like you’re together, you know? Maybe they’ll leave you alone when they realize they can’t compete with your hot Latina girlfriend.” Her straw rattled as she slurped up the remains of her sangria. “I’m glad I got to tell you both in person, but I gotta hop if I want to finish packing tonight. My flight’s at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow.” She rolled her eyes.
“Sonia, wait! I need to talk—”
“I didn’t mean to spring this on you. It’ll be okay, Ri.” She squeezed my shoulder a few times, inching out from the table. “You’ll have Malachi while I’m gone. And when I come back in a few weeks, we’ll all settle back in.”
She barely paused to pet Siggy’s head before bustling onto the sidewalk.
I stared after her, mouth ajar. Siggy whined to see her leave.
“You want me to go chase her down?” Mal refilled Sonia’s glass before taking a sip.
“How are you so calm right now? She wouldn’t let us get a word in. This was supposed to happen today!” My napkin twisted in my hands.
Mal shrugged. “She gave us an official moratorium on the no touching rule. That solves the vast majority of my current problems.”
“Your current problems include contract disputes and emergencies back in Colorado.”
“Like I said, biggest of my problems. Solved. Come here.” He lunged, hauling my chair closer and dragging his palm up my calf. He groaned. In public. Audibly. I barely suppressed the full-body shudder his hands instigated.
“Mal,” I gasped. “We have to tell her.” I leaned closer. I wanted more of his hands on me. Higher.
“We will.” He leaned in, too. We were inches away from each other. “But maybe this is a good thing. What were we going to tell her today? That we’ve been having air sex for the last six months?”
“I wouldn’t call it air sex…” I grumbled, shifting my knee to feel the slide of my skin against his. I wanted him to move his hand, but he kept it still, aside from a slow circling of his fingertips against my calf.
“Now, though, think about it. She gets back from New York. We tell her we got closer, physically, at the gala. That there’s been something going on for a while, but we didn’t act on it until then. She’s practically giving us an opening, Ri.”
“You’re a therapist. Aren’t you supposed to be against lying?”
“What part of that is a lie?”
Hmm. He had a point. Telling her about our relationship like that would soften the blow. Maybe we could even soft-launch it while she was in New York. Send her some pictures of us together. Let her get used to the idea instead of just dumping it all on her at once: I’m in love with your brother and he makes me come with nothing but his eyes and we’ve been air fucking in secret for months behind your back.
“Air fucking.” I murmured, staring at his lips. They curved into a smile.
“You’re right, that is better.”
“So…what now?”
Finally, finally , his fingers inched up past my knee, splaying on my thigh. I gasped.
“Now, we—”
His phone buzzed on the table between us. I looked at it before he did. He couldn’t seem to drag his eyes off my face. I blanched at the notification on the screen.
“Your flight leaves in forty-five minutes? Mal, you’re not going to make it.” We were miles away from the airport and he was sitting here like he had all the time in the world to rev my engine with some hungry looks and a few strokes of my leg.
“I’ll make it. Give me ten minutes in a bathroom stall and I’ll still make it.” His hand rose higher, thumb brushing the hem of my skirt.
“Mal,” I gasped, arching in my chair. We were in public, for fuck’s sake, but I couldn’t control my body’s reaction to him.
“Five. No, three. I can make it good for you in three, Kitten.” He purred. The heat he stirred up wound through my veins as his phone sounded once more.
I looked again. Two messages from his publicist slash executive assistant, Adam.
I know you’re not on your way to the airport.
If you don’t leave now, the Malvern situation is only going to get worse.
“What’s the Malvern situation?” I asked, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. As much as I would love three minutes in a bathroom stall with him, he had a flight to catch.
Mal jerked like I’d tossed the pitcher of icy sangria over his head. His hand fell from my leg. “Fuck. Sorry. Fuck, I have to go.”
His face looked wary. He leaned over to cup my cheek in his palm. “I promise you, if it were any other issue than this one specific thing, I would already have you up against the bathroom wall right now. Do you believe me?”
“Y-yes.”
His thumb brushed my bottom lip. “I want to kiss you.”
“You can now.” The thought made my heart leap in my chest. What would it feel like? To have his lips on mine? To grab him whenever I wanted?
He swallowed, focused on my lips. I leaned forward an inch. He was so close to me. Just a little further…
“Not here. If I kiss you now, I’m never getting on that plane. And I want you all to myself the first time.”
He leaned in anyway, turning at the last second to brush a kiss across my cheek. My jaw. His teeth nipped. I sighed, breath uneven.
He cursed, then he was gone, standing and wrapping Siggy’s leash around his wrist.
“I’ll call you when I land. I’m so sorry, Kitten…” His teeth clicked when he bit them together. After one last look at me, he turned. The puppy trilled and whined while Mal stomped away down the sidewalk.