After Avit gave me back my phone, he’d typed in Wexler’s number, his sisters’ and sisters-in-law’s, and his brothers’. I had messaged Mariya to tell her I’d found it, since when she asked about getting my number, I told her my phone was misplaced when I moved to Avit's. I was almost instantly added to a group chat called Divas with the other women. I didn’t check in often, since school kept me busy, but they never held it against me, and I appreciated that more than they knew.
It was Saturday, and I didn't have classes today. I’d planned to get some studying done. But the moment I sat up, a wave of dizziness hit me so hard I had to grip the sheets.
Yeah…studying wasn’t happening today.
I managed to freshen up in the bathroom, then crawled right back into bed, exhausted. I was drifting off again when my phone rang. It was Avit.
“Hey,” I answered.
“You missed breakfast with me this morning, Mrs. Safin.”
I blinked at the clock. Crap! It was almost noon. “I’m sorry. I usually don’t oversleep; I only just woke up.”
“No need to apologize,” he said gently. “I’m glad you rested. You’ve been pushing yourself trying to find the owner, but if you don’t slow down, you’ll get sick.”
Too late. I sighed. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.
“What are your plans today, besides studying?” he asked.
“I’ll probably catch up on the hundreds of messages from the ladies’ chat.”
Avit groaned. “You ladies have a chat? And what do you talk about in there?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I teased.
He chuckled. “Actually, no. I value my sanity. I know how those women get when they’re together. And with Katya as the ringleader, I’m sure she’s already sharing some very explicit stuff.”
Just to toy with him, I said, “You’re not half wrong. Did you know the best way to get pregnant is back shot, ass in the air?”
I heard Avit choke, then cough like he was fighting for his life. A muffled voice that sounded like Pyotr asked if he was okay.
“Are you okay?” I asked, sweetly, as I struggled to hold back a laugh.
“Barely,” he rasped, still clearing his throat. Then he teased in a clearer voice. “I see they’re slowly converting you into one of them.”
I giggled, the sound slipping out before I could stop it. I heard Pyotr in the background again, and then Avit came back on the line.
“Hey, I’ve got meetings with my brothers to get to,” he said. “But if you need me, call me. Okay?”
“Okay.”
The line clicked dead, and I sank back against my pillows, smiling despite how awful I felt.
The problem was, I did need Avit. I wanted nothing more than for him to crawl into bed with me and hold me until the dizziness passed. But he already had a full plate, an entire world resting on his shoulders. He didn’t need me adding to it.
So, instead, I messaged Mariya and asked if she wanted to hang out at the house today. She replied immediately, then asked if I’d mind the other women joining. I told her I didn’t mind at all. Within minutes, she said they’d be here in an hour.
Nerves and excitement fluttered in my stomach at the same time. I wanted them to feel welcome, even if I felt like collapsing back into bed. I tugged on jeans, a hoodie, and flip-flops, then went in search of Wexler. I found him in the living room, reading the newspaper.
He stood the moment he saw me.
“Hey, Wexler.”
“Mrs. Safin,” he greeted with a nod.
“I need your help with something.”
“How can I be of assistance?”
