His father nodded. “Everyone is anxious to meet your girlfriend.”
“We’ll be right there.” Jase continued holding Heather against his side as his father left. Clearly in no hurry to get to his family, he showed her to the open patio with a pool, an outside kitchen, and a table already set with a white tablecloth and bone china.I’ll take things that cost a bajillion dollars for two hundred, Alex.
“Looks like we’re eating outside tonight,” Heather mused, running a finger along the length of the tablecloth.
“What do you think?” Jase tucked his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels.
“I think you’re holding out on me and I should’ve gone for the Mercedes version of my delivery van.” Heather tucked her arm through his.
“Next week,” he replied.
“What?”
“The van comes next week. I’m sure you’ll be happy not to have to coordinate with Ethan anymore. They’re painting it this week and then adding the cookie and then…delivery.” He stroked the bare skin of her arm.
“Kind of crazy how this whole thing has played out, huh?” she asked.
He paused. “Yeah.”
“You think this was her plan the whole time?” Heather stared at the wavy reflection of them on the surface of the pool. “Babushka.”
“I don’t even want to guess.” They arrived at the patio door that led into the main kitchen. His parents, brothers, and sister were on the other side, unaware they stood there.
“What’s your dad’s name?” Heather stopped him before he pushed open the door.
“Alex. And you can call Mom Diana.”
“Alex and Diana.” Heather rehearsed their names. “And Zach and Anna.”
“And Roman,” Jase finished for her. “We call him Rome.”
She sang the names under her breath. A little trick she used when she got nervous and needed to remember something.
“You’re cute, you know that?” He pressed his hand to the small of her back and opened the door. All eyes turned to them. Heather was generally a confident woman, but five pairs of Dvornakov eyes trained on her at once and she was squirming in her sandals.
Zach and Roman looked a lot like Jase. Roman was built like a tank and sat tall—like Jase did. Zach lounged against the counter. Anna was all happy, perky smiles.
“Heather.” Anna stood from her barstool. “Last time you were here we didn’t even get to say hello.” She turned her attention to Jase. “You’re late, mister.”
“Heather got the tour.” He headed for a bottle of what appeared to be top-shelf Russian vodka next to a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white. He poured himself a small bit of vodka and held the bottle up to her.
She shook her head.
“I’ll have a glass of white.” Yes, it was definitely more of a wine evening, or they’d have to scrape her off the floor. And what kind of an impression would that make?
Jase poured her a glass.
“Heather, tell us about your busi—” Anna started.
“Ve can start. I am here.” Babushka breezed into the room with Harry on her heels.
“Where’s Morty?” Heather whispered to Jase.
“Fuck if I know,” he answered.
“Morty couldn’t be here,” Babushka replied. “I brought Harry instead.” Babushka brushed past everyone, beelining straight to her. “Heather. You are here. This is good thing.”
Rome coughed into his hand. “Hey, Babushka.”
