Chapter 32 – Poppy
Neither of us spoke about what happened in the bedroom. I wasn’t convinced we knew what it meant, only that there was a monumental shift. Ivan didn’t believe I was staying, and I couldn’t imagine leaving now. Not after that. I accepted his proposal, but nothing more had been said on the matter.
There was nothing for it but to continue the daily routine, trying to entertain the stir-crazy boy who needed space to run and jump, kick and laugh without restraint.
A pumpkin pastry sat on the table. Brady was in the middle of devouring his scrambled eggs, filling his little belly with protein, eager to have a piece of the flaky treat the moment his plate was cleaned.
Rayko pushed through the back door, Ivan close on his heels. The grumpy henchman took one look at the table, and his whole mood changed.
“What’s for lunch?” he asked.
“Mama made Tikvenik!” Brady chirped. “But you have to eat your protein first.”
I rose and cleared my own dishes. “Can I fix you guys something?”
Ivan approached, waiting his turn to wash his hands. “You don’t have to slave away in the kitchen. You’re not a maid.”
I flashed him a smile. “Thank you for that. But I cook because it’s a newly acquired skill that took years to master. It’s how I show the people around me that I love them.”
Ivan stilled. “Oh.”
“Can I make you some eggs? Maybe on a sandwich with cheese? Or just on toast?” I offered, giving him a secret, soft grin. The smile that was only for this man. The one who made my heart beat faster and my body come alive.
It was rare that he was here during the day. If he wasn’t sleeping, he was out working on some project. The thought of him joining us for lunch, even though we were almost finished, was nice.
“Cheese-egg sandwich sounds nice,” Ivan said quietly. And then he caught my hands. “Thank you for cooking for me.”
The phrase was right there, on the tip of my tongue. Three little words, begging to be spoken. But instead of saying them, I let my actions speak for me.
“Of course, one sandwich coming right up!” I pulled away from his touch and began to gather the ingredients.
“Poppy, if you don’t mind—” Rayko cleared his throat, voice gruff. “If it’s not too much trouble, I mean.”
I chuckled. “I’m already making you one, so sit down and have some coffee.”
Brady rose in his seat, balancing on his knees, as he turned the empty plate to me. Mouth full of eggs, he knew better than to talk.
“Yes, alright,” I responded to his unspoken request. “Ivan, he can have a slice of the pastry.”
Both cast iron skillets were still warm.
I cracked six eggs into one, while in the other, I toasted thin slices of ham.
The moment the ham curled at the edges, I removed it and placed four slices of sourdough, slathered in avocado mayo, down in that pan.
One slice of cheese went on each, and then the lid covered them to capture the heat.
In less than three minutes, I plucked the bread from the pan, layered the sandwiches without breaking the runny yokes, and presented the creations.
Five years ago, the toast would have been burnt, the eggs green and only fit for the dogs, and cheese would have scorched the cast iron, making a freaking mess to clean.
I’d come so far.
“I have a solution,” I announced as I sat back in my seat.
Rayko shot me a curious glance before busying himself with eating. Brady shoved the last corner of pastry in his maw and took off to resume building the Lego set in the living room.
“Wash your hands,” Ivan called after him.
The little hellion rerouted to the bathroom.
I wanted to hug Ivan. Co-parenting was a heck of a lot better than the exhausting alternative.
I resisted the urge to rub my belly as sweet thoughts danced through my mind.
Just because he’d come over my stomach didn’t mean a pregnancy was prevented.
There still was a chance we’d crossed that line, and I secretly hoped we had.
This situation was permanent. We were staying here.
If our family stayed just the three of us, so be it.
But now that I accepted the change, a whole new possibility was pleasantly overtaking my mind.
I would have Theo begin shipping things from North Dakota, but we would probably need to take a trip out there for some—
“Poppy?” Ivan pulled me from the castles in the sky.
“Oh, right.” I laughed. “Sorry.”
Rayko saluted me with the half-eaten sandwich. Sticky yellow goo ran down his fingers—messy, just like a kid. “This is good. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome! Okay, so I was thinking,. I paused to draw a deep breath “The developer, Haroldson—”
“I thought you called him Harrison,” Rayko interrupted, looking at Ivan.
“Don’t talk with food in your mouth,” Ivan clipped. “And I did.”
“It’s Haroldson,” I added.
Rayko shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter. Go on.”
“Food. Mouth. Shut,” Ivan barked.
Rayko bore his teeth.
They’re basically barbarians. I hid my smile. Sweet, untamed wildlings. I was fond of each of these Made Men.
“Poppy?”
“Oh, right.” I turned to Ivan, who was managing to eat the messy sandwich without getting it everywhere. “I think we should bring Haroldson over for dinner. Walk him around the neighborhood.”
Silence dropped over the table. The clock on the wall was the only sound, the slim hand pecking the seconds in a steady rhythm. Brady muttered in the other room. But in the stillness, two pairs of eyes watched me.
“Why the fuck—” toast sprayed from Rayko’s lips “—would we do that?”
Ivan didn’t hesitate. He reached over and grabbed his second by the throat. “I warned you.”
With a vicious twist, Rayko’s face smashed into the table.
I yelped and clutched my coffee. “Ivan!”
“Mama?” Brady shouted, flying into the room.
The men returned to their lunch as if nothing happened. Except there was a trickle of blood falling from the henchman’s nose.
“Everything’s fine, son. Go play,” Ivan said smoothly.
Brady looked around before padding over to the counter, grabbing a sheet of paper towel, and handing it to Rayko.
“Thanks, buddy.” Rayko smiled.
Once Brady was gone, I let out a long breath. “You two are unbelievable.”
“Ah, there’s that word again,” Ivan smirked, a small smile just for me.
I rolled my eyes.
“Why don’t you explain yourself before you’re rudely interrupted again.” Ivan wiped his fingers on a napkin before reaching for the tikvenik.
In a rush, I blurted out the plan. “By inviting him over, we can show him that we’re a neighborhood worth investing in.
He can see the unique culture here—” I resisted the urge to point out that they were basically wild animals roaming the streets “—and if we can convince him, which I’m certain we can, then he’ll know how to push plans forward to the city council, bypassing the commissioner.
Because Dallas isn’t going to help us after, well, you know. ”
My grip tightened on my mug. There was hardly a trace of the bruise on Brady’s cheek. But a rage like no other rattled through me at the barest mention of the scumbag who’d dared to lash out at my boy.
“She’s nuts,” Rayko muttered in Bulgarian.
“Hey! I heard that,” I protested.
The henchman dabbed at his nose before gracing me with a rare smile. “It’s not a bad thing, Poppy. I think crazy is going to be good for us on this one.”
I turned to Ivan, who was quietly scooting flakes of phyllo dough around his plate. “Well? What do you think?”
Dusting his hands, Ivan sat back in his chair and watched me.
I tried not to fidget under his steady gaze.
“I think that we’ve been running around, playing an impossible game,” he said, voice low and rough. “And I think you just gave us a way out of the maze.”
Triumph spread through me. It warmed me from the inside out. “Thank you.”
Ivan dipped his chin. “No, thank you, Poppy.”
The focused weight of his attention was enough to make me soar. I rose, grabbing the dishes, so I didn’t do something embarrassing with these fluttering emotions. Ivan whispered behind me, catching my wrist.
His thumb brushed over my pulse as he spoke. “I’ll do that. Go help Brady with the Hogwarts Castle.”
“Shouldn’t you be the one helping him? Who buys a five-year-old the most complex Lego set there is?” I teased.
Ivan lifted my arm, brushing his lips against the sensitive skin. Need instantly sizzled through me. “I’ll be there in a few minutes to help. Now go.”
I bolted.