“Her brilliance created the merger proposal, making a case that Johan would have to be a fool to turn down.” Light laughs sound through the room, Johan gives a “he’s got me there” shrug.
Before he can continue, however, the doors open once more. The sound of heels on parquet echoes through the space, and all eyes go from me to whoever’s entering.
I somehow know who it is before I see her.
Ruth.
She saunters in like she owns the place, her slender figure clad in a gorgeous pink gown. A tall, almost-comically handsome man—total arm candy—is at her side. She pauses for a moment, taking in the scene.
“Well, I didn’t expect that kind of greeting.” She’s clearly pleased with both the attention and the interruption. “Please, continue, Sasha.”
She winks, heading over to the bar with her man. Ruth flicks her eyes at me, narrowing them just a bit, as if wanting to let me know she’s seen me.
Sasha clears his throat, bringing the attention back to him. “This is a new day for all of us. Once the legal necessities are taken care of, AngelCorp and Dandelion will grow larger and stronger than ever before. And I couldn’t be prouder to have all of you along for the ride.” He raises his glass. “To Gabriella, to all of you.Za zdorovye!”
All glasses are raised; applause sounds out. Sasha gestures to the band, which starts up again. I glance at Ruth, who’s clapping softly, touching her fingertips to the bottom of her palm.
Angie clears her throat and speaks. “So, guys, do you mind if I borrow Gabby for a bit? Need a little girl time.”
“By all means,” Johan says.
Sasha gestures to the balcony. “It’s heated out there, if you need a little privacy.”
Johan leans over and plants a quick kiss on Angie’s cheek. Angie then takes my hand, and together we hurry out. It’s peaceful out on the balcony, the space a long, narrow stretch along the side of the building. Standing heaters wrap us in toasty warmth. The city sprawls beneath us, lights flickering off into the horizon.
The door clicks behind us, muffling the music. For a moment, neither of us speaks—no noise but the sounds of traffic drifting upward from twenty stories below.
Angie exhales, shoulders softening. “Okay,” she says. “Before you say anything, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you.”
I arch a brow. “You mean about the engagement?”
“Of course, about the engagement. You’re not hurt, are you?”
I give the question a second to settle. “I mean, maybe a little. My best friend’s gettingmarried,and I had no clue! I’m not mad, but you know…”
“I know, I know. I kept meaning to tell you, but everything’s been total chaos. And I don’t need to explain to you what I mean. Then Johan wanted to wait until things were more official and the merger was done and everything else.”
“Still, you could’ve told me.” I’m being ridiculous. But I can’t help it. I’ve missed her.
“You’re right, you’re right.” She raises a finger. “But to be fair, I seem to remember you keeping some secrets under wraps for a while. Two of them, in fact.” She flicks her eyes down to my belly and smiles.
“Fair point.” I can’t help but laugh.
“I guess we both got a little too good at keeping secrets,” she says. She steps beside me, putting her hand on my shoulder.
I glance out at the city, watching the twinkling lights for a moment.
“It’s not even about trust anymore, is it? It’s survival. You have to choose what feels safe to reveal. If the wrong secret gets out…”
She nods. “Yeah. That’s what this world we’re in does; makes you guard against even the good things.”
“Then maybe we stop letting it.”
She looks at me with something like resolve. “Deal. No more hiding. Not from each other.”
I smile. “Full disclosure. Even if it’s messy.”
We tap rims.
