AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grinned. “Of course. Just promise me you'll take good care of it.”
“Oh, my goodness, Ash!” I grimaced and quickly held my hands over my ears as her loud squeals were about to attack them.
Vivian hugged me tightly; her happiness was infectious. “Thank you, Ashley. You're the best cousin ever.” She squealed again. “Oh, I can't wait to show off this outfit and tell everyone that my fashionista cousin gave it to me.”
I returned her embrace. “You're welcome. Now shoo—I still have work to finish, and you have a closet full of fabulous outfits to explore.”
Vivi returned from my closet a while later with three outfits on her arm, then, suddenly, jumped up on my bed.
“So, Ash, any new men in your life?” She wiggled her brows, her eyes twinkling.
Caught off-guard, I snickered and shook my head. “Nope, no romantic interests at the moment.”
Vivian, never one to give up easily, nudged me with her elbow. “Come on, Ash. Even if you don't have a crush, isn’t there any guy you find attractive? There has to be!”
A face immediately flashed across my mind–Nikolai. I paused for a moment, debating whether to share my thoughts.
However, my younger cousin was quick to catch on, her eyes widening with intrigue as she shook me. “Ashley, you're thinking of someone. Tell me, tell me!”
“Stop it!” I groaned, knowing she wouldn't let it go without an answer. “You're relentless. There’s no one, no one important, okay?”
Vivian's eyes sparkled even more, as she pinched my arm playfully. “Come on, Ash, you can't leave me hanging like this. Spill the details. Who's the lucky guy?”
“Vivi, I said-”
“Oh, please. I saw that wistful look on your face. Just tell me!”
I pretended to ponder for a moment, then an impish smile stretched across my face. “Fine.”
I leaned my chin on my hand as I went on, “Well, let's just say he's mysterious, charming, and has a certain air of danger around him.”
Vivian's eyes widened even further, and she gasped dramatically. “Oh my gosh, Ashley! You're falling for a bad boy? This is getting juicy.”
I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. “Well, Vivi, you know me. I've always had a weakness for a little danger,” I winked at her.
Her face lit up cheerfully. “I knew it, Ash! Spill all the juicy details. How did you meet him?”
Taking a deep breath, I told her how I’d first encountered Nikolai, leaving no details out. “Let me tell you, he is intimidating, but I acknowledge he’s attractive, very attractive, that’s all.”
Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Oh please, Ash. You can't fool me. I’ve been watching the way you’ve been talking about him.”
I blushed and rolled my eyes. “No way. I was all business, focused on the meeting. I only mentioned him because I know how persistent you can be, and you kept pestering me.”
“Well, now I must see this mysterious Nikolai for myself! Do you have a picture?”
I hesitated, but eventually caved. “Ugh, fine, I'll do an online search.”
Accompanied by Vivi’s excitement, I found some pictures of Nikolai with a few taps on my phone and reluctantly showed them to her. Her eyes widened as she studied his features.
“Ashley, he's drop-dead gorgeous!”
I couldn't help but blush. “Well, I suppose he has his charm …but he is also a ruthless Russian mafia boss, of all things. He has plenty of women waiting for him. Besides, Dad would never approve, he despises being in business with him.”
Vivian shushed me and squinted at the screen. “Wait a second…” Suddenly, she gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest.
“He’s forty? Ashley, that's ancient. Are you sure you're not feeling a bit under the weather? How could you at all be interested? I mean, he is hot though.”
Feeling defensive, I crossed my arms. “I'm twenty-two, you know,” I huffed. “But it doesn’t matter. Like I said, Vivi, I'm not interested in him like that, and he wouldn’t be interested in a girl like me.”
