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A few minutes later, I’m washing my hands when there’s a thumping on the bathroom door and I freeze. My heart starts to accelerate as I stand and stare at the door. I nearly jump out of my skin when a voice booms through it.
“Isabella!” Andrey barks as he knocks. “Are you okay in there?”
Jesus! My hand goes to my stomach. “It’s okay, little beans. It’s not the big bad thing this time. That’s your really complex and confusing father,” I tell them, walking toward the door. As I unlock it, I nearly get knocked over when Andrey pushes himself in. “For fuck sake Andrey.”
“Oh!” Andrey looks at me, surprised. “Sorry. I thought you’d fainted or were getting sick again.”
“So you thought you’d barge in and gloat over how horrible I’m feeling?” My eyes narrow. “What? You think karma is making me feel God awful because I didn’t rush out and tell you I’m pregnant?”
Now why the fuck would I say all that shit? I have no idea where that even bubbled up from! Because you have a guilty conscience over not wanting to tell Andrey about the babies.
Andrey’s eyes narrow dangerously, and his jaw clenches.
“Why are you always so antagonistic toward me?” he asks. “Can’t we just try to get along?” His eyes bore into mine. “I’ve been trying really hard here, Isabella. I’m trying to talk to you and not at you. Trying to work around you running off with my children with no intention of telling me.”
“Okay!” I stop him. “I’m really sorry.” I hold up my hands. “I’m all over the place moody lately.” I swallow. “I guess I just have a lot of guilt about not letting you know sooner about the babies.”
Andrey’s mouth drops slightly open as he gapes at me, looking shell-shocked.
“Are you okay?”
“I…” He shakes his head as if trying to clear it. “Did you just give me a really roundabout apology?”
“I guess.” I shrug and sniff the air. “Oh God! Pancakes.”
“You can smell pancakes?” He sniffs the air.
“Can we have some?” I look at him pleadingly. “I’m starving.”
He steps back so I can exit the bathroom, pulls the door closed, locks it, and takes the key. “I guess we can stop for a while for an early breakfast.”
The woman who gave me the key to the bathroom seats us at the booth. Andrey seats himself in a position where he can keep watch of our surroundings. The woman brings my pancakes and ginger tea.
Andrey has bacon and eggs. While I munch on my breakfast, he asks. “Do you think we can try to get along?” His eyes meet mine. “At least while we’re figuring out all this shit with our faceless enemy and our road trip?”
“That depends.” My brow rises. “Can you stop being such a dominating control freak?” I pour more maple syrup and squirt cream onto my pancakes. “I figure we need to work together—like partners.”
“I think I heard your brother tell you that you need to listen to me.” I see a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Only when necessary,” I translate the meaning of my brother’s words for him. “And that does not mean you can dominate my entire existence.”
“Noted,” Andrey surprises me by saying. He picks up the mug of coffee. “How about you listen when I need you to and stop trying to escape?’
“Okay,” I nod. “Only if you stop locking me in and treating me like I’m a prized racehorse. Rather, be honest with me and let me into the plans or what’s going on. If you know what’s going on, maybe I can be more prepared for whatever’s coming.”
“I will try my best,” Andrey promises. “Will you promise me not to try and escape and listen when needed?”
“Didn’t I already agree to that?”
“You said okay!” Andrey points out. “That’s not yes, I promise. That’s a maybe.”
I roll my eyes and sigh. “Okay, yes, I agree not to run away and to listen when needed.”
“Thank you.” He takes out the wallet and puts some bills on the table. “Are you almost done with your food?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I wish I could take some ginger tea with me.”
“The waitress is making you an extra large cup to go,” Andrey tells me and grins. “I asked when I came in looking for you.”
