Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Alexei
I expected resistance.
This was Lauren Yates we were talking about. The woman who insisted on playing the finals of the Frozen Four with a sprained ankle. Who punched a guy and broke his nose because he insulted a friend. Who iced me out for years because of how much I hurt her.
Stubborn as hell, there was no way she would cave. I was going to have to fight dirty. I was used to that, just not when it mattered this much.
She snorted. Because it likely didn’t produce the incredulity she was going for, she added a mirthless laugh.
As she re-read the certificate from top to bottom, I took the time to study her.
She hadn’t changed much in nine months, or even fifteen years.
Dark, wavy hair, cherry-hued lips, a determined set to her chin, those silver-gray eyes bright and curious.
What had changed was how put together she looked in her green tailored suit.
But there was still the nod to her athletic origins with her white sneakers.
I reveled in each incremental variation to her expression, the joy it sparked in my ice-compacted heart. Soft bafflement was chased away by hot annoyance before finally settling on wry doubt.
“You sure this is real? It says ‘Graceland Love Productions’ on it. Sounds like a scam.”
“You might want it to be, but a little research will tell you the truth.” She had to know I wouldn’t lie about something so easy to disprove.
“As I said, I’ll do my due diligence and get back to you about next steps.” Said primly, all business. I found it interesting that she had completely ignored my suggestion to give this marriage a shot.
“And when you learn that it is genuine?”
She set her eyes to a squint. “I have a boyfriend, Nazarov. I certainly don’t need a husband who’s surplus to requirements.”
“It is awkward, yes.”
“Exceptionally.”
A boyfriend. Why had I not known this or even suspected it was possible? This put a different spin on the situation for sure.
She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. “So how are you liking Chicago?”
I pressed my lips together against a smile. She could have dismissed me, but I still had my foot in the door.
“It has everything, does it not? The lake, the restaurants, the sports teams, my wife.”
She blew out a breath that made her nostrils flare. “How are you so blasé about this?”
“I am not. I am perfectly serious about it.”
She straightened and pointed at me. “If it’s true, then it’s just an admin error. Married for a laugh, repentance not necessary because there are ways to fix it. Legal ways to get this resolved quickly.”
“True, as long as both parties are willing. As I said, I think we should give the marriage a chance. We are in the same city together after many years. Chimu byt’, tavoh ni mihnovat’.”
“Meaning?”
“You cannot avoid what is meant to happen. This is the universe telling us something.”
“That I shouldn’t drink on a business trip. Or around you. Or in Vegas.” She slumped in her seat. “You know this isn’t real, Alexei, so why are you trying to force it?”
Because I finally have my chance with you, Silver Eyes.
A natural skeptic, she wouldn’t believe that. It would take time to convince her. My job was to create that time.
“Not trying to force it, Lauren. I would like us to date.”
I should have been offended at the horror that crossed her expression, but thankfully I was made of sterner stuff.
“Date?”
“Yes. We could see if we are still compatible after all these years.”
“I. Have. A. Boyfriend!”
Now, I was getting a little annoyed. “You also have a husband. I think one outranks the other.”
“There is no ranking here. You’re an accident, a mistake, a should-never-have-happened. You’re not in the running because you aren’t even real!”
I gestured to the marriage certificate. “That piece of paper says different.”
She raised both hands in frustration. “This is why you have always been impossible, Nazarov! What’s happened here—if it’s happened—”
“It has happened.”
She pointed again. “Shut your Russian mouth! What’s happened here is going to really hurt Thad. And you want to make it worse by insisting we date? We’re not a couple, never have been, so what point does this serve?”
“It serves the point of making sure that we do not make a mistake.”
“Mistake’s already been made,” she said glumly.
“Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps this unusual situation needed to happen to force us to think about what we really want.” And this boyfriend of hers was not it. I knew that much.
Her eyes flashed. “No.”
“No?”
“I won’t be playing this game with you. We’ll get it annulled.”
“You will need my cooperation. I’m asking that you take a little time to indulge me. Three dates, that’s all.”
“Three? One meeting is all we need, with our lawyers, where we will discuss how to fix this, and now you’re saying three dates?” She pointed at the door. “Out. Now.”
That made me smile. It felt good to be on the sharp end of her ire. Invigorating, like the first time we met.
I stood and headed for the exit. “My number is the same, Lauren. All you need to do is unblock it.”