Page 141 of You + Me – Against the World

I’m going to drain your bank account, Lancaster.]

[Doesn’t matter, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore

would be proud of us…]

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rings. At least five times. I hear Clem squawking as I go down the stairs.

“Hi, Georgette! I found this hooligan lurking around the house… Should we let him in or call the police?”

“I wasn’t lurking, I was about to ring the bell when this wacko beat me to it.”

My eyes meet Vadim’s. A small pit forms in my stomach.

“Alma, you should have seen it! Arcadi pacing up and down on your sidewalk like a little cat someone forgot outside…”

“Give it a rest, you savage beast. Some of us are civilized people who think before they start frantically pressing a doorbell.”

“Who invited you, anyway? I thought you two weren’t speaking.”

“I did.”

Vadim raises an eyebrow, surprised that I’m lying for him.

“Well, you two are already tiring me out. I think I’ll spend the evening with Georgia instead!”

Georgia laughs and plants a kiss on my head.

“So, what should I make you for dinner?”

“Nothing. You’re off duty tonight. And I could have opened the door for them!”

“Alma, there’s no need to do my job for me!”

I stick my tongue out at her, and she pretends to grab it and tie it in a knot, just like she did when I was ten. Georgia has always been there. Quiet but caring. Rarely strict, often tender, always fair, the way a mother would be.

Clémentine darts into the kitchen, and Georgia follows at a quick trot. Vadim walks slowly past me into the house, taking care to brush against me as he goes.

“Basile told me your grandmother wasn’t doing so well?”

“It’s less serious than we thought.”

We whisper, our mouths way too close to each other.

I don’t move an inch. But his lips, soft and full, don’t kiss me.

They curve into a smile that knocks me off my feet.

49

“Georgia! How about we cook you a nice meal for a change?” Bursting with excitement, Clémentine opens all the cupboard doors without bothering to close a single one afterwards.

“Weren’t we going to order takeout?”

“Are you worried I’ll poison you?”

Vadim snickers behind me.

Basile and Isaac arrive home and hoist themselves onto the kitchen counter.