“I don’t even know you,” he replied diplomatically.
“I don’t think that matters.”
Dima intently searched my face. “You are a genuinely good person, Sarah. My family can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for Maksim with his stutter.”
“Thank you. It was my honor to help him.” Cocking my head, I asked, “Then what’s with the animosity?”
“It’s Maks.”
I furrowed my brows. “What about him?”
“I’m afraid of what’s going to happen to him if things don’t work out between the two of you.”
“We haven’t been together that long. Isn’t it a little premature to be wondering how he’ll handle a break up?”
“For someone so smart, you’re very naive.”
“You’re not the first Korolov to say that to me.” As I thought of Lev’s words back at my apartment, I wondered if Dima was inferring the same thing. “You think he’s already in love with me.”
“I know he is.”
I didn’t bother arguing that it was too soon for all that. People fell in love over days while others took years. I knew I felt strongly for Maksim myself. And being in love with someone wasn’t the same as loving them.
“While I would love to promise you that nothing will go wrong between us, I can’t. But I do care about Maksim a lot. He has shown up for me physically and emotionally more in the last few weeks than any man I’ve ever dated. And I know without a shadow of a doubt, I would never, ever want to hurt him.”
“I hope you will remember that statement in the future.”
A mirthless laugh tumbled from my lips. “That sounds a little like a threat.”
“More like a plea.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If things do go south, please try to focus on what you feel at this moment for him. The good you know that is in him. The care he has given you.”
I swallowed hard. “If there’s something I should know about Maksim, you should tell me right now.”
“It’s not for me to say.”
The song ended and changed over to a faster beat. To my surprise, Dima kissed my cheeks three times. “Thank you, Sarah.”
And then he turned and left me alone on the dance floor.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR MAKSIM
Watching Dima dancing with Sarah was excruciating. I didn’t like the expression on either of their faces. If it hadn’t been for Rian, I would’ve already cut in.
At the voice behind me, I whirled around. “What are you doing with my nephew?”
Callum Kavanaugh stood eyeing me suspiciously. “I thought we were allies now.”
“We are.”
“Your expression sure as hell d-doesn’t look like we are.”
“Excuse me for being curious why the Bratvapahkanis holding my nephew and his parents aren’t in sight.”
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “The Bratvaco-pahkanis holding Rian because after his mother ran from the t-table to throw up,my girlfriend offered to hold him so his worried d-dad could go check on her.”
