"Shanice."
I paused, looking back at him.
"You did good today," he said. "Going back to school. Facing it. I'm proud of you."
The words hit me square in the chest. No one had said that to me in so long. No one had looked at me like I was strong, like I was capable, like I mattered.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He nodded, and I got out before I did something stupid. Like cry. Or climb back in the SUV and ask him to keep talking to me in that rough, gentle voice.
I walked into the mansion and headed straight for my room. Closed the door and leaned against it with my heart racing.
This was a problem.
A big one. Because I was to keep my crush on Mikhail to myself. His confession made that impossible. Because I wanted him and now I knew he wanted me, too.
And I had no idea what to do about it.
Shanice
Iwas in my room, changing into something nicer for dinner, when Katrina knocked on my door.
"Come in," I called, pulling a dress over my head.
She poked her head in, one hand resting on the small but visible bump at her belly. Three months pregnant and glowing, even though she looked a little pale right now.
"You almost ready?" she asked.
"Almost. Are you sure you're feeling up to this?" I smoothed down the fabric, studying her in the mirror. "You look kind of green."
"I'm fine. Just a little morning sickness. Which is a lie, by the way, because it happens at all hours." She moved into the room, settling onto my bed with a sigh. "But I'm not missing your first day of college celebration. I already convinced Olek and Mikhail to take us somewhere nice."
My stomach fluttered at the mention of Mikhail's name. I'd been trying not to think about lunch, about the way he'd looked at me, about the things he'd said.
"You didn't have to do that," I said.
"Yes, I did. I’m so proud of you, Shanice. You’re taking steps in a future you’re creating for yourself. That's huge. We're celebrating." She grinned. "Plus, I want steak. This baby is demanding red meat."
I laughed, zipping up my dress. "Well, if the baby wants steak."
We headed downstairs together. Olek and Mikhail were waiting in the foyer, both dressed in button downs and dark jeans. Mikhail's eyes found me immediately, sweeping over my dress in a way that made heat crawl up my neck.
"Ready?" Olek asked, pressing a kiss to Katrina's temple.
"Ready," she said.
We walked out to the SUV. Mikhail held the door open, and I slid into the back seat. His eyes seemed to be undressing me as he stared. I openly returned the gesture, not afraid to let him know that I thought he looked good as well. Katrina started to follow, but stopped suddenly, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Kat?" Olek's voice sharpened with concern.
She shook her head, backing away from the car. "I just need a second." Katrina's face went from pale to green. "Oh God."
She bolted toward the bushes at the side of the driveway. Olek was right behind her, gathering her hair back as she got sick. I winced, guilt settling in my stomach. This was supposed to be a nice dinner, and now Katrina was puking in the bushes because of pregnancy hormones.
Mikhail watched his boss tend to his wife with careful eyes. After a few minutes, Katrina emerged, Olek's arm around her waist. She looked miserable.
"I'm so sorry," she said, pressing a hand to her forehead. "I thought I could push through it, but a smell just hit me wrong."
