“Good,” Dad grunts, sitting back further in his seat. “There’s a Morozov hotel not too far from their home that Anton has agreed to set you up in. And I’ve set up a few viewings for you already, but I have a list of properties I’ll email you as well.”
“Can’t remember the last time I stayed in a hotel.” I chuckle. “But all right, I’ll look through them when you send it over. Should I bother asking for a budget?”
Throwing his head back, Dad laughs hard and I have my answer.
Unlimited it is.
Nearly as soon as I’ve left his office, my phone is in hand, texting Anya to see if she’s free to video call. Thankfully, it only takes a few minutes for her to confirm that she is.
When her familiar face lights up my screen, I can’t let small talk get in the way of the information that’s practically trying to burst out of me. “So, I’ve got some news…”
She lifts a pale eyebrow. “Hello to you too. What news?”
“My dad wants to send me to Morozov territory this weekend.”
I hear Anya’s breath catch but her face betrays nothing. No fear, no happiness, no surprise.
“He does?” she asks, voice soft and smooth like velvet. “Well, now I know why you forgot to say hello.”
“Yeah, my bad.” I scratch the back of my head, a little embarrassed at my display of eagerness. “I couldn’t wait.”
“That’s okay,” she replies gracefully. “What does he want to send you here for?”
“House hunting, can you believe it?” I joke, my lips lifting into a friendly smile. “I’ll be there Friday to Monday, I think. Staying in some big-ass hotel your family owns while I shop for mansions for my dad.”
Anya blinks, lifting a hand up to tuck a lock of golden hair behind her ear. “He wants to buy property here?”
“For when Jade moves out there,” I confirm, nodding once. “He wants an easy place for family to visit her without disrupting your dad’s household.”
She dips her head, her eyes shining with something akin to contemplation. “That’s…that’s very considerate of him. My father didn’t tell me this was happening.”
“I only just told my dad yes,” I admit. “I wanted to tell you right away. Sorry if this is catching you off guard. Anton gave him the go-ahead to buy something out there, but I don’t know if he confirmed which of his sons he was planning to send. Though, I’d venture your dad is clever enough to guess it would be me. Mine is probably calling yours right now to let him know it’s happening for sure.”
“Oh.” She blinks but doesn’t look displeased.
“I’d like to see you, when I’m out there,” I confess, feeling like a middle schooler asking a girl to the school dance. “You don’t need to say yes if it’s too soon. But I’m going to be there for so many days, I was hoping one of them might work for you?”
Anya breathes, and her lips almost tremble as she does. “What do you think that would look like?”
A resounding feeling of relief settles in my gut, knowing that she hasn’t shut down the idea immediately. “I have a few ideas,” I say almost shyly. “I’ve only had a few minutes to consider it, but a couple things came to mind when Dad brought up the trip.”
I swear her cheeks tint pink. “You really called me right after he asked you to come here?”
“It was embarrassingly fast, Anya, I can’t lie. I haven’t even told anyone else I won’t be home this weekend, though the house is a surprise so they’ll think I’m going somewhere else when I do tell them. But I went straight from Dad’s office into my room to call you.”
She smiles and I swear my heart skips. “So, what ideas do you have? I’d have to ask my father, but I might be able to handle a visit or two.”
Or two.
Oh, fuck.
She’d see me more than one day?
Why do I feel like I just won the fucking lottery?
No, I have enough money.
Why do I feel like I just woke up with super powers?
