AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your sister will be more upset than me if you damage the goods.” He looks over his shoulder and winks my way.
“Shut up, Bryce!” Sergei says. “I don’t need to hear that shit.”
“Dad said shit!” Alec exclaims gleefully.
We’re all laughing on our way to the dodgeball court, where Sergei lasts two minutes before a fourteen-year-old safety monitor asks him to sit out the next few games.
Mr. Cool Dad needs a time out.
“Finally, you can squeeze me in for a lunch date,” Martin says while he settles into an ergonomic chair at the head of the conference table.
“Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you,” I say contritely. “Things have been busy for both of us, right?”
He nods in agreement. “We might need to iron out details before the board of directors’ tour, but we’re ready. Once they see the propulsion and stability measurements, they’ll approve the rest of the project. We’re almost there, Ana.”
“We are, thanks to you,” I say, lifting my sparkling water. “Now I wish we had champagne.”
“If we were at a restaurant like regular people, we could. Why are you always having lunch in the office? It’s terribly mundane. There’s an amazing sushi place that opened recently. And when are we going on our double date?”
“Are you calling me mundane?” I put my hand on my chest, feigning shock.
“Never!” he protests with a grin. “But the same thing every day can be a bit isolating, don’t you think?”
Should I admit that this is one of the safety precautions Bryce has put in place? According to him, until Lysander is located and contained, there’s no way to rule out my endangerment. His protection protocols are so severe.
“I’m too busy to head out for lunch and too tired to go anywhere but home,” I tell Martin. I don’t add that home is where Bryce is working and waiting. That part of the arrangement I like a lot.
“You should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished,” Martin says. “I’m surprised your father isn’t traveling stateside for it.”
“His health hasn’t been great for travel. But he’ll be here for the first test run next year.”
“When do you see him if you’re not traveling to headquarters? Seems like a long time to be away from family.”
“I’m used to it. When I was growing up, I never saw him more than a handful of weeks in an entire year.”
“I had no idea,” Martin says with softened eyes. “You always talk about him so fondly.”
“I’ve gotten to know him better as an adult. Moving to Moscow allowed me to work with him and learn more about the culture. But the unfortunate truth is, I don’t think my father knows how to be with his children as children.”
“I’m sorry, Ana. I didn’t mean to bring up something so touchy.”
It’s not Martin’s fault that I’ve steered us toward sensitive topics. Somehow, the flood of emotions I’ve allowed myself to feel since Bryce reentered my life has brought memories to the surface. I’ve been shut off from talking about personal things for so long, it’s like I’m backed up.
“It’s fine, Martin. In fact, things are going so well, I have to pinch myself.”
“Or get pinched by your hot boyfriend. I bet that’s why you’re glowing lately.”
I beam. Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed with the need to share the substantial changes in my life. Maybe it’s Martin’s warm presence and friendly teasing that encourage me. Maybe it’s because I want to shout my love for Bryce from the rooftops.
“I’m in love with him,” I say.
“I should hope so,” he retorts with a raised brow.
“I mean, we only just started to be together.”
“Really? But it’s so serious. He’s practically moving in.”
“He’s actually my, um, my self-designated bodyguard,” I admit reluctantly. “At first, I mean. It’s more now.”
