Page 41 of You + Me – Against the World

“Go on, do it! It’s just a shame that asshole Tim isn’t here to see this. Come on! Go!”

“Um… Yeah, I think I’m going to do it.”

“You can do it, Lancaster. Who’s stopping you?”

“I’m going to do it! I swear I’m going to do it!”

“I’ll be watching you!” Clémentine grabs an imaginary crown and puts it on my head. “Go, Queen!”

Fired up, I cross the crowded café, two glasses of lemonade in hand, concentrating on not spilling them before I get there. I pause in front of the pretty blonde, who is now staring at me, surprised to see me standing there and perhaps a little worried about what I’m planning to do.

“Here, this is for you. I’m sorry about your date. I never normally do stuff like this. You’re really beautiful, and I’m sure you’re smart too. I don’t think girls should be bitchy to each other. We should stick together. It would make life easier for all of us.”

I slide one of the glasses over to her as an apology, then turn to Vadim and, with all my strength, hurl the contents of the other glass directly in his face.

“And this is for you, Arcadi. Next time you feel like buying me a drink, you’d better make sure you don’t disrespect anyone else in the process. And next time you want to challenge me, you’d better remember who you’re dealing with.”

Vadim stands up, spreading his long arms wide, his mouth curved into a surprised smile. Lemonade drips down his beaming face. His tongue catches the sparkling drops running over his damp lips. Then, he places both hands on my cheeks and kisses me full on the lips right in the middle of the Sunset.

I let him. Of course I let him. I let myself slip into this whirlwind of heat, passion, and madness. And it’s a struggle to pull away from his lips so I can whisper to him, “It’s about time, Arcadi.”

“I’m very impressed, Lancaster.”

I can feel all the eyes in the room on us, and I can see pride in Vadim’s. It carries me away. It thrills me. And it also reminds me of what I’ve just done—this gutsy side of me I didn’t know existed. But my courage is already faltering, and I feel my cheeks grow hot.

“I’m really sorry,” I say to the stunned blonde. “It wasn’t anything against you.”

With a look of disgust, she dries her toned, tanned arms, which got splashed when the drink hit Vadim. “Yeah, right! Anyway, this wasn’t even a date.”

“It’s on me,” Vadim adds. “To make up for Alma’s clumsiness. She’s not always fully in control of her limbs.”

“You’re both crazy! Here, this is what I owe you.”

The furious girl pulls a small wad of cash from her purse, slams it down on the table, and turns on her heels. Vadim quickly shoves it into his pocket and watches her walk away, running a hand through his hair.

“Why did she give you that?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Vadim, don’t start this again.”

“Really, it’s not important. Just a little business between her and me.”

“Okay, are you going to explain, or should I leave?”

“Alma…”

I march straight back to Clémentine to gather my things. I hear Vadim sigh behind my back. Then, he runs to catch up with me.

“Eight o’clock tonight, in front of my place. I’m taking you to out to dinner.”

“That’s not what I asked. Save your secrets, your big mysteries, and your little games for someone else.”

“Come tonight, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Everything?

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