My thoughts stop dead in their tracks when Andrei storms back into the room and drops a gift bag from one of the fancy shops downtown in my lap, knocking my book out of my hands.
“What’s this?” I ask hesitantly,
“Open it,” he prompts. With shaking hands, I remove the delicate tissue paper to reveal a stunning dress that’s nicer than anything I own. I sit it up straighter as I pull it from the bag, holding it up so I can see it fully.
Deep blue silk flows through my hands like water while I examine the details, from the thin halter straps to the plunging neckline. I stop to admire the button detailing at the bottom of the backless design. Everything about it, from the color to the way it’s cut, is stunning, and I’m not sure if I want to put it away somewhere so I can look at it when I need a pick-me-up, or sprint upstairs and try it on immediately.
“Andrei, this is beautiful.”
“Go get ready. I’m going to take you to dinner.”
“You’re what?”
He shrugs, looking me straight in the eye. “If I had known you built date nights into your schedule, I would have taken you out last week, too.”
Wait, what?
“What’re you—”
He turns around to leave, cutting me off before I can figure out what I’m trying to say.
“Just wear the dress, Blair. It’ll look nice on you,” he calls over his shoulder, leaving me even more confused.
I haven’t been on a real date since before Niko was born.
Wait, is this even a real date? Or some sort of work event? I want to think that Andrei would give me a heads up if he was taking me out somewhere where I might run into his colleagues, but it wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong about him.
And what did he mean when he said he would’ve taken me out last week, too? Does Andreiwantto take me on dates?
How long do I have to get ready? What if we’re going somewhere that requires a reservation?
I check my phone for the time. A quarter to six.
I sprint upstairs for the bathroom so I can put on makeup and do my hair in time to comply with the unwarranted deadline I’ve set for myself.
So I don’t make us late. For the dinner I wasn’t expecting.
Maybe I’m over-thinking this.
Taking a deep breath, I force my shoulders to relax. Andrei called it a date, but it’s probably just another chance to make a public appearance. There’s no reason for me to get worked up over nothing.
Half an hour later, I pull on a pair of silver heels that complement the dress I’m still not convinced is real. I might not be a dispatcher anymore, but apparently, I can still work well under pressure. Regardless of what happens tonight, it won’t be my appearance that embarrasses me. For once, I don’t look like a frumpy mom. Instead, I look like someone who actually belongs at Andrei’s side.
The dress hugs my curves like a dream come true. The open back leaves me with no choice but to pray gravity looks kindly on me, and when I look in the mirror I had to stop and convince myself that he actually bought this for me and this isn’t some cruel joke.
I haven’t been this dressed up since my first wedding, and part of me is excited to go out and have a chance to show off.
Andrei waits for me downstairs, and when he sees me his mouth quirks into a pleased smile. The butterflies in my stomach break free of their cages, tearing apart the locks I’ve used to bar them shut and fluttering through my chest, tickling my ribs.
He’s looking at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world, and his silence is a compliment I don’t know how to accept.
I want to tease him and tell him to pick his jaw up off the floor, but my confidence is still too shaky.
“So, where are we going?” I squeak out while I pick up my purse. I nearly jump out of my skin when I stand up again and find Andrei right behind me. He doesn’t say a word, just places one of his strong hands on the back of my neck and twists me around until we’re standing chest to chest.
“You look stunning,zolotse,” he whispers before he leans down, slotting his mouth over mine for the first time in nearly a week.
The part of me that’s worked so hard to be mad at him is silent in the wake of his quiet affection. I lay a hand against his chest as I breathe in the warm, woodsy smell of his cologne.
