“Practice makes perfect,” she said with an annoying smile.”
After glancing at my phone, I shook my head. “We need…to stop.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“You need to be at your brother’s for dinner at six, right?”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“Do you need to freshen up?”
Pursing her lips at me, Sarah countered, “I don’t know, Maksim. Doyouthink I need to?”
I frowned. “No. Why?”
“It sounded like you did.”
Shrugging, I replied, “I just t-thought you might like to freshen up.”
With a shake of her head, Sarah replied, “Sammy is used to me coming straight from work most nights, so he sees me looking frazzled.”
“D-Did Ifrazzleyou today?”
A laugh burst from Sarah’s lips. No matter how many times I heard it, it never got old. “While we worked hard, I wouldn't say I’m frazzled.
“I hope not. I mean, if you need more down time, we can totally do that.”
Sarah smiled. “Maksim, I’ve been working at least eight-hour days since I was sixteen. I promise you, I can handle it.”
Nodding, I rose out of my chair. “Okay, let’s go.”
She froze in the middle of straightening up the table. “Excuse me?”
“I’m escorting you, remember?”
“I assumed you meant a bodyguard or one of your brothers.”
I shook my head. “I’m g-going with you.” When she still hesitated, I asked, “Do you have a p-problem with that?”
“Of course not. I just expected for you to have more important things to do than sit outside my brother’s house for a couple of hours.”
“I’ll b-be fine.”
Almost reluctantly, she replied, “Then let’s go.”
As we started to go to the garage, I couldn’t understand why Sarah would object to me accompanying her. Our relationship continued to evolve as we worked together. She was open and outgoing with me and didn’t seem to hold any grudges.
After Oleg opened the door for her, Sarah hopped inside, and I followed behind her. When Oleg got into the driver’s seat, I said, “I just texted you the address."
“Yes, sir.”
“Actually, we need to stop at 1334 Hyacinth Place,” Sarah corrected.
What the hell? That wasn’t the address she had given me earlier. Eyeing her suspiciously, I asked, “Why did you g-give me a d-different address?”
“Because the bakery that has Sammy’s favorite cupcakes is at Hyacinth Place, and I always bring him cupcakes.”
“Oh, I see.” Nodding at Oleg, I said, “P-Please t-take us to that address first.”
