Chapter 32 #2
“I’ve read them all, some more than once.” Grinning, he looked so much like Alek at that moment that it made me giggle. “What is so funny?” he asked.
“You looked like Alek there for a moment. You both have the same smile when you speak about something you’ve done that you’re proud of.”
He rubbed his chin. “I actually think I may have that title you’re wondering about. Let me see.”
He walked over to a section that was stocked with bright, colorful thin spines that were familiar with children’s books. He pulled it out and handed it to me, and I hugged it close to my body, tears springing to my eyes. A sudden warmth of nostalgia overcame me.
“I’ve probably heard this story hundreds of times. From the moment my mother read it to me, I fell in love with Vitya. He was always so sad and quiet before he met Zhenya,” I told him.
I thought about the story of an imaginative little girl.
She made silly, empty wishes with the petals of a magical flower and then eventually met a boy she wanted to race around and play with.
He couldn’t, though, because he was afflicted with a physical impairment, which hindered his mobility.
The last petal of the flower fixed it, and she learned the value of joy, happiness, and friendship, all through her desire for a playmate.
“Interesting. It used to be Ivan’s favorite book when he was small,” he said quietly, and my head snapped up.
It was Ivan’s favorite too? The revelation wasn’t one I was expecting.
A wave of warmth hit, connecting us in a way I never anticipated.
I imagined him as a smallish boy, wanting to hear it read over and over like I had.
It was as if our lives were woven together long before we’d ever met.
It was silly, really, but I clung to the idea.
We were bound to one another even in this small way.
My heart hurt from wishing The Flower of Seven Colors were real and that I could wish away his pain and give him back his sister.
“I’m not surprised. Ivan’s a very selfless person with a huge heart.”
“That’s an interesting observation. He’s usually very private and doesn’t allow people that close. How did you get in so quickly, I wonder?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I whispered, wanting nothing more than to run back to my room and read the book in my hands over and over. I could almost hear my mother’s voice.
“I spoke with my wife.”
“Oh.” My heart rate picked up and my stomach fluttered.
“I want to know one thing…the disagreement in Seattle. It didn’t end with my son striking you, did it?”
I blinked, unsure I heard him correctly. But I had, and now his question hung between us. The implications weren’t ones I had considered, and it left me dumbfounded.
How could he ask such a thing? There was no way in hell Ivan would ever put his hands on me or any woman in anger. It just wasn’t something he was capable of.
“Oh god. No, not at all. He’d never do such a thing,” I exclaimed.
Relief greeted me. The tension drained from his expression as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, which relaxed as a soft exhale escaped him. While I couldn’t tell him the truth of what happened, I was glad I dispelled any question they may have had on that front.
“Good. You didn’t explain the argument, so I wanted to clarify that it didn’t end in a way he knows better. Especially given his behavior the last time he was here.”
I met his gaze, offering a small, understanding smile, but remained silent. He wasn’t going to get me to say anything else. I had to silently acknowledge that Sophia had probably asked him to probe. I couldn’t be mad, though. It only showed the depth of their concern.
Aiming a sheepish look at me, he ran his hand across the edge of his desk. “My wife is convinced that you rejected an offer of exclusivity with him or that you were trying to come between them.”
I shifted nervously, knowing each word I said needed to be carefully crafted. He was a smart man. If I said too much, there would be more questions. My mind went blank, but he was waiting for an answer.
“I promise at no time did I deceive or lie to one of your sons about the other. There was no argument about exclusivity, as it was an equal share…” My voice trailed off.
I had officially lost my mind. Of all the things to focus on, I went there? Was I really going to explain the ins and outs of how I slept with his sons? I looked down at my lap, feeling beyond embarrassed.
“See, I can almost understand Alek and Nik. They were so damn close as twins. When they were small, they couldn’t stand to be apart from one another. But all three of them?”
I sensed his turmoil and understood why it would be confusing. He might wonder why on earth they would want to share me. But love was love, and I consoled myself that it didn’t have to make sense to them. Besides, I wouldn’t be around long enough for it to matter.
“It’s extremely unconventional, I know. As I told your wife, I don’t intend to continue the relationship.
It’s my hope being here will help ease the tension between them all.
At least, I hope it makes Ivan more comfortable.
I hate seeing him so upset, and it breaks my heart that he’s at odds with Alek and Nik. ”
“I appreciate you saying that, Ms. Taylor.”
“I’m trying to bow out as graciously as I can, I promise.”