AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Besides, Sheila misses me.
CHAPTER 11
LARA
This isthe first time in three days after coming to the cabin that I can wake up, sit on the porch sipping coffee, and honestly feel relaxed.
Well, up until the moment I glance down at my ringing phone and see Mikhail’s name on the screen.
“Yes?” I hope he doesn’t ruin the thread of peace I’ve found today.
“Lara. I was just calling to see if Alexei told you, and to see how you’re doing with it.” His gruff tone almost hides the note of concern in his voice.
Blood pulses in my temples, giving me a headache. “He told me a lot of things, none of which I believed.”
A flamingo? Really?
Mikhail snorts. “Why wouldn’t you believe that Niki got married?”
I nearly drop my cell, but catch it in my lap.
“He what?” I shriek. “No, he would have told me!”
I feel like I’ve been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer.
If Mikhail did that, I’d get it.
But, Niki?
He wouldn’t, would he?
“He married the bitch that stabbed him?” I can’t keep the shrill out of my words.
Mila doesn’t seem awful, and Nikolai did seem much happier once they returned from Russia.
Yet, theaudacityto not even tell me?
I’m his sister!
Mikhail chuckles over the line. “Settle down. I didn’t get invited either. Not that I’d want to go to a wedding.”
Now it’s my turn to be skeptical. “How much longer until yours?”
“I doubt there’s a woman out there that could deal with me.” He lets out a long sigh.
“You aren’t that bad, if Niki can find two, you will be able to find at least one wife in your life. You have a better sense of humor when you decide to show it. Although, you might wanna let them see that pretty face of yours.”
“Not happening,” he growls. “What about you? Still dating?”
I know what he’s doing, trying to shift things away from himself. “First dates, quite a few, second, none.” There’s been a few that I thought went well, but they ghosted me afterwards.
He takes a long pause. “Hmm, that might not be your doing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he says quickly. “They just clearly aren’t good enough for you.”
“Well, thank you. I guess.”
