“Well, you asked.”
Dad’s voice suddenly boomed in the silence. “We had Russian neighbors when we were first married. Remember?”
“We did?” Mom questioned, her voice vibrating with shock.
“Yes. It was that horrible apartment building that never had hot water. They invited us for Borscht, and the best vodka I’ve ever had.”
Mom and I both gasped at the sudden clarity that had cut through Dad’s foggy memory. “Yes, Hollis, I remember them,” Mom replied with a sniffle.
And the moment shattered when he asked, “Remember who?”
“Nothing, honey. I’m just talking to Sarah.”
Dad didn’t respond, and I couldn’t help wondering if he even realized who I was.
“We’re almost there,” Maksim said in a low voice.
“Is that him?”
Rubbing my forehead, I replied, “Yes, Mom.”
“And you were at his house or yours?”
With a nervous laugh, I asked, “What’s with the inquisition?”
“You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”
My eyes met Maksim’s. “It’s not like that.”
“Why not?”
Maksim’s stare was so intense I had to finally avert my eyes. It sent a myriad of emotions swirling through me. “Mom, it’s a little too complicated to talk about right now.”
“I just want you to be happy, sweetheart.”
“So do I,” I whispered.
At that moment, the SUV screeched to a stop in Mom and Dad’s driveway. “Listen, we’re here, but don’t come out until I tell you it’s okay.”
“Okay, honey. Please be safe.”
I opened my mouth to respond when Maksim said, “She will.”
“Oh, my,” Mom murmured before I disconnected the call. If she was that affected by his voice, I couldn’t imagine what she would do when she saw him.
When I started to open the car door, Maksim stopped me. “Stay here,” he ordered.
“No way.”
With his jaw clenched, Maksim gritted out, “Sarah.”
I shook my head. “I need to check on my parents.”
“Fine. But you stay behind me.”
Glancing at the bodyguard, I asked, “You aren’t bringing him?”
Maksim shot me a look. “Seriously?”
