If the glower on Andrei’s face is any indication, he thinks so, too.
He takes my hand into his, and the warmth of his touch is like a bolt of lightning down my spine.
“C’mon, let’s go get a drink.” I open my mouth to refuse but stop when I see the gentle way he’s looking at me. He tucks me against his side and presses his lips to the top of my head, and I can’t find it in me to resist. “Relax, Blair. I’ve got you.” His arm is a warm band around my waist as he pulls me toward the bar, cutting through the crowd with ease.
They part around him like water, giving me a glimpse of Alexei smiling warmly at the small group of people gathered around him. Tonight might be a bust for Andrei and I, but it’s nothing short of a rousing success for Alexei. The club is flooded with people enjoying the stunning atmosphere he’s curated for them.
The main area is decked out in stunning reds and oranges, dark walls with warm lights highlighting the decor. No detail has been overlooked, and the care that’s been put into the appearance alone is a testament to how much work he’s done to make everything perfect.
His smile dims slightly when he sees Andrei’s arm wrapped around me, his eyes narrowing. I want to duck out of his view, but before I can, Andrei lifts his chin in acknowledgment. Alexei returns the gesture before turning back to his audience.
Andrei turns to me as he makes space for us at the bar, bringing me in front of him, my back plastered against his chest. “What would you like?” he asks, breath hot against my ear.
“Water would be great,” I smile tightly.
“Blair.” His eyes are hard as he looks down at me, the top of my head just meeting his shoulder. I’ve never noticed how tall he is before. He towers over me, even when I’m in heels.
How haven’t I noticed that before? I swallow, forcing myself to meet his stare head on.
“Yes?” I answer.
His hands barricade me against the bar, his thumb tapping impatiently against the shiny surface.
“You’re so tense you look like you’re going to snap in half.” The deep timbre of his voice is so close it’s effortless to hear him, even over the din of the crowd. “Pick something you like, or I’m going to pick the most obnoxiously colored thing I can find.”
I frown in confusion, brows drawing together.
“Why would you pick based on color?”
“Because embarrassment can be an excellent motivator.”
“I might be out of practice, but I’m pretty sure the colorful drinks tend to get you drunk the fastest.”
His eyes drift to the side for a moment. “I’m not trying to get you drunk, just trying to help you relax.”
“Comforting,” I mumble, twisting the rings on my finger. The weight of them is still unfamiliar, different enough from what I’m used to that I can’t forget that they’re there. The stone in my new ring is roughly the same size as what Daniil got me, but it’s denser, catching me off guard every time I move my hand.
At the thought of Daniil’s rings, I reach for the chain tucked into the collar of my dress, making sure they’re still there.
I eventually shrug, resigned. “I don’t have a preference.” He nods and pulls back, allowing me breathing room as he leans forward, commanding the bartender’s attention.
I wrap my arms around my waist, feeling cold without him there. Before he turns back, a pair of thin arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me backward. I gasp, instinct making me struggle before I register Nadya’s voice chirping in my ear.
“Blair! I thought you weren’t coming tonight!” Her eyes are bright, her cheeks flushed as she greets me with a wide smile. “I’m so glad you’re here, though. The rest of these people suck. What changed your mind?”
I have to force myself to smile at her, feeling like a fraud in the face of her genuine enthusiasm. I point at Andrei’s back. “He talked me into it.” She looks at him and nods, gasping when she looks back at me.
“Woah, where’d you getthat?”She grabs my hand, pulling it closer while she inspects my ring. “You weren’t wearing this the other night, were you? It’s gorgeous.”
She’s right. Itisgorgeous, especially under the dramatic lights that line the bar. The padparadscha sapphire glints a slightly different shade of orange and pink whenever the angle changes. The smaller diamonds on either side of it sparkle as she twists my hand around to really study it. At first glance, it’s not the most ostentatious ring, but it’s stunning when you take the time to look at it.
Whenever I take the time to sit still and think, I end up staring at it, unable to believe it’s mine, that Andrei picked it.
“It’s new, actually,” I find myself telling her. “We, uh…” I glance at Andrei, blindly fishing for what to say.
“We got married,” Andrei announces, turning around to hand me a bright red drink. Nadya’s eyes dart between us, mouth gaping while I shrug.
“Yeah, what he said.”
